Windows 11 LTSC Archives

Winsage

December 23, 2024

Microsoft Windows IoT for Client Systems: A Historical Journey and Today’s Latest Innovations

Microsoft's Windows Embedded and Windows IoT products began in 1999 with Windows NT Embedded, codenamed Impala. Windows XP Embedded, known as Mantis, expanded toolkit capabilities with tools like Target Designer and Component Designer. Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 catered to the point-of-sale sector, maintaining a consistent kernel across consumer and embedded versions. Windows CE supported mobile devices with various architectures and reached its end of support in 2023. Windows Embedded 7 Standard and Windows 7 for Embedded Systems required special licensing agreements. Windows Embedded Standard 8 did not succeed in the industrial market, while Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, launched in 2015, introduced LTSB/LTSC options with a decade of security updates. A tiered licensing structure was introduced for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, accommodating different CPU performances. The Base license allowed Windows 10 IoT Enterprise on industrial Arm devices, specifically the NXP i.MX8 family. Windows 11 21H2 established the General Availability Channel for IoT, with Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2024 LTSC set to debut in May 2024. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC supports Arm Qualcomm CPUs and introduces features like USB 4.0 and Wi-Fi 6/7 support, along with a commitment to 10 years of security updates. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC will remain supported until 2031.

Winsage

December 4, 2024

Microsoft closes the door on Windows 11 supporting older hardware

Microsoft has confirmed that the hardware requirements for Windows 11, including the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, are non-negotiable. The end of support for Windows 10 is set for October 2025. TPM 2.0 is essential for encrypting data, validating digital signatures, and enhancing security on Windows devices. It integrates with security features like Credential Guard, Windows Hello for Business, and BitLocker disk encryption, and supports Secure Boot. Windows 11 also requires support for virtualization-based security and hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), limiting compatibility to CPUs released from 2018 onward. Although there are workarounds for unsupported hardware, Microsoft has tightened upgrade processes and is promoting new PC purchases to encourage upgrades from Windows 10.

Winsage

November 3, 2024

We tried Windows 11 LTSC. It comes with your classic apps, no AI or modern UI

Windows 11 LTSC version 24H2 is designed for enterprise users and does not support personal Microsoft accounts during setup. The installation process requires a work or school account, but users can bypass this by using a command prompt trick to set up a local account. The operating system is free from adware and promotional content, presenting a clean interface. It includes the new Outlook web app and retains legacy versions of some applications like Snipping Tool and Paint, which have been updated with modern features. Customization options are limited in the unactivated version, and users must download applications manually without access to the Microsoft Store. File Explorer has enhancements like tab duplication and support for various compression formats. A list of pre-installed applications includes various Microsoft Visual C++ runtimes, Microsoft Edge, Outlook, Paint, and Notepad.

Winsage

October 27, 2024

Windows 11 Enterprise/Edu may get Settings “Home” with Microsoft account ads

Microsoft has introduced a Home section in the Settings app of Windows 11 23H2, initially for consumer editions, which will soon extend to commercial editions. This Home page allows users to view their device name, connection status, and last update check, as well as access essential settings like power, display, and sound. It also includes personalization options, cloud storage monitoring, backup management, and security reminders. The feature is set to enhance user experience across various environments, with observations indicating a focus on settings recommendations and personalization. Promotions for Microsoft Account services are prevalent in the consumer edition, but may be less relevant for commercial users. There is potential for future updates to streamline the Home page and reduce clutter. Users of Windows 11 LTSC currently do not see these advertisements.

Winsage

October 17, 2024

Windows 11 LTSC on Arm: Everything You Need to Know

Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 24H2 has been released, featuring a modern user interface, enhanced security, productivity tools, comprehensive device management, long-term support with up to 10 years of security updates, and a restricted user experience mode. System requirements include a 1 GHz or faster processor with two or more cores, a minimum of 4 GB RAM (2 GB minimum), 64 GB or larger storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, a preferred TPM version 2.0, a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card, and a minimum display size of 9 inches with 700p HD resolution. Enhancements over Windows 10 LTSC include improved performance, better compatibility, advanced security features, and a streamlined update process. The x86 platform offers extensive compatibility and high performance, while the Arm platform emphasizes power efficiency, making it suitable for portable and IoT devices. Microsoft follows a three-year release cycle for LTSC products, with Windows 11 addressing regulatory industry needs for enhanced security. Key differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 LTSC include a modernized interface, advanced security features, optimized performance, and improved compatibility. Windows 11 LTSC 24H2 has a 10-year lifecycle with five years of mainstream support and five years of extended support. New features include an integrated IoT-specific EULA, wireless display capabilities, optional removable packages, multi-app kiosk mode, automatic MPEG2 installation, HEVC codec support, access to the Microsoft Store, optional TPM enabling, and exclusion of CoPilot. The operating system is applicable across various industries, including medical, governmental, hospitality, and retail, and is compatible with both x64 and Arm processors.

Winsage

October 16, 2024

Dev boasts “tiny” Windows 11 24H2 that you can run off a DVD

Microsoft unveiled Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024, generating interest in the tech community. NTDEV released an update to tiny11, based on Windows 11 LTSC 2024, with a size of 3.54 GB that fits on a standard DVD. This compression is achieved using LZX delta compression. Tiny11 can operate on as little as 176 MB of RAM, and a "text-only" version has been created that requires only 100 MB of RAM.

Winsage

October 15, 2024

Tiny11 now supports Windows 11 24H2 in a compact size that will fit on a standard single-layer DVD | Tom’s Hardware

NTDEV has introduced the Tiny11 ISO builder, which allows users to create a compact version of Windows 11 24H2 with an installation size of 3.54GB, thanks to LZX compression. This size is significantly smaller than the typical installation range of 20GB to 30GB, making it possible to fit on a standard DVD while leaving space for additional applications. Tiny11 is designed to optimize user experience by removing unnecessary services and applications, making it suitable for older or less capable hardware. NTDEV also provides a tutorial for users to customize their Windows 11 24H2 installation using Tiny11.

Winsage

September 26, 2024

Microsoft’s Update Decision—Millions Of Windows Users Given New January Deadline

Microsoft has notified Windows users that the new Teams client will require upgrades to newer operating systems to maintain support. Users on older versions of Windows 10 (prior to version 21H2) and macOS (11 or earlier) will see warning banners within the next two weeks, with Teams ceasing to function on these systems starting January 15, 2025. This move encourages users to upgrade, particularly targeting enterprise users, as support for Windows 10 version 21H2 ended three months ago. Microsoft is promoting Windows 11 for its security features and integration benefits, emphasizing the urgency for the approximately 70% of Windows users still on Windows 10 to transition before the end-of-life deadline approaches.

Winsage

August 20, 2024

Microsoft seals a TPM 2.0 loophole, once again preventing users from installing Windows 11 on unsupported devices

Microsoft has patched a workaround that allowed users to bypass Windows 11's hardware requirements, specifically the '/product server' command line method. Future updates are expected to enforce the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 requirement. Windows 10's end-of-support date is set for October 14, 2025, prompting the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) to petition for an extension of support. The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a chip that enhances security by encrypting data and facilitating secure boot processes. Windows 11 has faced challenges due to its hardware specifications, but its market share has increased to over 30%, while Windows 10's has decreased to 65%. The 24H2 release introduces AI features that require higher system specifications, primarily available on devices with neural processing units (NPUs).

Winsage

August 17, 2024

Single-command Windows 11 system requirements bypass trick for unsupported PCs blocked

Microsoft's Windows 11 has stringent system requirements that exclude several CPUs, including older Ryzen 1st Gen and Intel's 6th and 7th generation i7 models. Users with unsupported systems have employed various bypass methods to install Windows 11, including a command trick during setup that allowed them to bypass hardware checks. However, the latest Insider Build 27686 has patched this workaround. Despite this, alternative methods still exist, including Microsoft's Windows 11 LTSC 2024, which has more lenient eligibility criteria.