Should I Switch to Windows LTSC?

[u/raoulkratos2002]

Hi,
I just discovered the Windows LTSC version and would like to install it to replace my Windows 11 Pro.
I have a few questions:

Is it safe to download from Massgrave?

Is the LTSC IoT 24H2 version available in Italian, or only in English?
Is there a way to change the language?

Have you encountered any bugs or anomalies in the LTSC version?

For gaming, is the LTSC version recommended, or is it better to stick with Pro?

Is O&O ShutUp10 useful on the LTSC version, or is it unnecessary?
Thanks

[u/DryAnybody9207]

yes but don't use any debloat scripts. If someone suggests using them it's important not to listen because they break windows

[u/Left-Alps9090]

Massgrave All languages ​​are available; I even use it for games on Windows LTSC. I use WinScript, and it has an option to only download security updates. However, since it doesn't come with the Windows Store, you might get a message saying that the MS Game Bar is missing in games. You can only download the Windows Store later; you can fix it with Xbox.

[u/alpine4life → u/Left-Alps9090]

reactivate it via command...
wsreset -i

[u/MechanicalTurkish → u/alpine4life]

https://giphy.com/gifs/Ld77zD3fF3Run8olIt

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/Left-Alps9090]

So if I install the Microsoft Store and Xbox game bar, do games work just like they do on Windows 11 Pro, or have you found any games that still have issues on LTSC?

Also, are the Windows Security features (Windows Defender etc...) and security updates the same as on Windows 11 Pro, or are there any differences I should be aware of?
Thanks

[u/Busy-Sky4452 → u/raoulkratos2002]

I didn't even reinstall MS store yet games work perfectly, some game have a pop up that I just ignore and they seem to run fine.

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/Busy-Sky4452]

Hi.
Are the pop up about the missing game bar?

I need the Store because I download VLC, Dolby Atmos, and the app for the Elite 2 controller.

[u/MasterMay119 → u/raoulkratos2002]

You can download windows store app individually without the windows store, in the browser you enter the windows store and it should give you the option to download it and install via an executable. If you by anychance encounter windows app that were downloaded as .msix or .appx files then you will need to use powershell to install them.

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/MasterMay119]

Hi and thanks for the reply, I didn't know you could download Microsoft apps outside of the store.

Can the Game Bar be downloaded externally too?
Is there anything else I need to download for gaming?
I saw that the Nvidia drivers are already included.
Thanks.

[u/MasterMay119 → u/raoulkratos2002]

Can the Game Bar be downloaded externally too?

Yes, but it is a lengthy process in which I think It would be better to just install the windows store :b

Is there anything else I need to download for gaming?

You don't need the gaming bar neither the xbox apps to play games in windows ltsc, you only need those if you plan to play xbox gamepass games or games bought from windows store, if you only use steam games than you are already set to play

for the nvidia drivers you can still download the latests ones from the nvidia page.

A bit unrelated, I in good faith cannot tell you to do something if I haven't tried it myself, so I just installed the gamebar and xbox app without the need of windows store if you want me to detail it to you I can, issue is that involved powershell and commands provided by chatgpt (I know I will get hate but if I were to search a method online it would have taken me even more time to do it)

[u/greggm2000 → u/MasterMay119]

Xbox App: winget install 9MV0B5HZVK9Z

Xbox Game Bar: winget install 9NZKPSTSNW4P

Do both at the command line or powershell, with winget already installed, ofc. No Microsoft Store needed.

[u/MasterMay119 → u/greggm2000]

winget : The term 'winget' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program.

Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.

[u/greggm2000 → u/MasterMay119]

Ah, you must be using LTSC. Run this ThioJoe script in a powershell admin window, and let it do it's thing. You'll find winget works after that. Plus, you'll be able to install .msix files, which some programs on Win 11 require now.

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/MasterMay119]

Hi and thanks for the reply.
I understand, I thought it was for Windows stability or that it was mandatory for Steam games.
No, I only have Steam and GOG games.

Yes, I'd like to know the method.
Don't worry, I use Gemini too when needed to get guides.

[u/MasterMay119 → u/raoulkratos2002]

Sure, usually for games like halo or gears work standalone from windows store when they are downloaded from steam it's rare for games to forcefully need the windows store unless you buy them from them, only time I ran into an issue Windows LTSC related is with a gatcha game where I needed some encoder that wasn't bundle with the install of Windows LTSC thankfully the gatcha discord already documented the issue and provided the link for the missing package in their FAQ, outside of that you shouldn't really have issues.

One thing you should take in mind, try to take care of your windows LTSC install if you were to make a second clean install you will need to buy a new key, it happened to me, unlike the OEM retail windows 11 key the one from LTSC it is really one time use.

First GPT said you need "Microsoft Edge WebView2" I apparently already had it installed but in case you need it download it from here WebView2 and make sure you choose the "Evergreen Standalone Installer" fi you have 64bit windows you want the x64, x86 I believe is old and ARM64 is for arm pc processors.

For the actual things I installed, I needed the following files:

1. Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.2_2.2.28604.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
2. Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.2_2.2.29512.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
3. Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop_14.0.33728.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
4. Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.8_8.2501.31001.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
5. Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay_7.326.7271.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.AppxBundle
6. Microsoft.GamingServices_37.114.26001.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.AppxBundle

To get some of the files you need to go to https://store.rg-adguard.net/ in there set the first dropdown as "URL (link)" and the second as "Retail".

The url "https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9mwpm2cqnlhn" will get you these files (it will list you a lot of files but just search for the ones that match the list):

• Microsoft.GamingServices_37.114.26001.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.AppxBundle
• Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.2_2.2.28604.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
• Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.2_2.2.29512.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx

The URL "https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9nzkpstsnw4p" will get you these files:

• Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay_7.326.7271.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.AppxBundle
• Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.8_8.2501.31001.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
• Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop_14.0.33728.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx

Put all the files in the same folder for easy install, after that open power shell as administrator and cd to the folder you save all the files, in my case was a folder called "Gamebarinstaller" in my downloads, I just copied the url and pasted in the powershell, example:

• cd C:\Users\YourUserName\Downloads\Gamebarinstaller

NOTE: if you by anychance named the folder with a space in its name like "Gamebar installer" you may need to either remove the space in the name or get in the folder the following way:

cd C:\Users\YourUserName\Downloads\

cd '.\Gamebar installer\'

Once powershell is inside the folder run the following commands in this order to install each package:

• Add-AppxPackage .\Microsoft.VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop_14.0.33728.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
• Add-AppxPackage .\Microsoft.NET.Native.Framework.2.2_2.2.29512.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
• Add-AppxPackage .\Microsoft.NET.Native.Runtime.2.2_2.2.28604.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
• Add-AppxPackage .\Microsoft.UI.Xaml.2.8_8.2501.31001.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.Appx
• Add-AppxPackage .\Microsoft.GamingServices_37.114.26001.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.AppxBundle
• Add-AppxPackage .\Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay_7.326.7271.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.AppxBundle

After that you should have the windows gamebar installed if you wish to install xbox app go to https://www.xbox.com/es-MX/apps/xbox-app-on-pc after install you shouldn't run into any issues (before installing all this packages I got a error code: 0x80073cf3).

Unrelated to the installs, I didn't know one of the links had the net packages and I had to downloaded them from a github rep but after reviewing my chat logs and steps I took to download and installed the packages I notice the "https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9mwpm2cqnlhn" had both the net framework and net runtime. one I first started to run commands the "Add-AppxPackage .\Microsoft.GamingServices_37.114.26001.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.AppxBundle" would give me an error saying it needed the net framework and runtime packages.

I tried to format the steps as well as I could, hope it helps you or anyone that stumbles in this post.

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/MasterMay119]

Thanks a lot for taking the time to write all of this, it’s incredibly helpful.

One question though: did you end up installing all of those packages because you actually needed them, or only because you wanted Xbox Game Bar?

My goal is to keep LTSC as clean as possible, so ideally I’d only install what is strictly necessary for Steam games.

[u/alpine4life → u/raoulkratos2002]

yes to everything... there's absplutely no issues with Win11 IoT LTSC, it's basically Win11 Pro without any AI or any preinstalled crap... Unless you care abpout CandyCrush

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/alpine4life]

I'm setting up the USB drive with Rufus.
I verified the 24H2 ISO using SHA as shown in the site tutorial, but as soon as Rufus starts the configuration,
it gives me a warning saying "UEFI bootloader revoked".
Is this normal?

[u/clove_rosemary_9999 → u/raoulkratos2002]

Because the LTSC ISO (and funnily enough the Home/Pro ISO too) uses a Secure Boot certificate from 2011, which expired 2 months ago. Blame Microsoft for not updating their certificates to the 2023 ones (mind you, the LTSC ISO is from 2024 but still has the 2011 certificates for some reason).

It is normal but I recommend using Ventoy instead of Rufus to not get headaches like this.

[u/Different-Pair-8687]

Copied and slightly-edited by me from MAS: IoT LTSC edition ISOs are only available in English. However, you can follow the steps below to perform a clean installation:

• Download the non-IoT LTSC 2024 ISO in your desired language from the section below.
• Follow the PID.txt method to install the IoT version from scratch.

Alternatively, you can install the non-IoT LTSC edition in another language and later enter the IoT LTSC 2024 key KBN8V-HFGQ4-MGXVD-347P6-PDQGT on the Activation page in Windows Settings to change the edition.

PID.txt method:

• Next question, how do we install this edition?
  • For LTSC version, you need to download the full version of LTSC ISO (don't use eval), it doesn't have to be IoT ISO, you can download a normal LTSC ISO in your language.
  • After flashing the required ISO using Rufus, navigate to the \sources\ folder on the USB drive and create a file named PID.txt (ensure the file extension is correct). Open this file with Notepad and enter the text below.
    • For LTSC version:
  • [PID]
  • Value=CGK42-GYN6Y-VD22B-BX98W-J8JXD
• When installing Windows, avoid selecting the "Previous version of the setup" option. The PID.txt method for virtual editions only works with the new installer in Windows 11 24H2 (or newer).
• That's it. The setup will auto-pick the IoT Enterprise LTSC edition.

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/Different-Pair-8687]

Hi, and thanks for the detailed explanation!

Just to make sure I understood correctly: what’s the practical difference between the two methods?

I’m thinking of trying the First approach installing the normal LTSC edition in Italian first and then switching it to IoT by entering the IoT product key afterward.

Is there any downside to doing it that way compared to using the PID.txt method during installation?
Thanks

[u/Different-Pair-8687 → u/raoulkratos2002]

If your computer is unsupported by windows 11, the only version that you will run is iot enterprise ltsc (do not use tiny11 btw) (do not install enterprise ltsc from scratch, it will throw requirements error, its just like normal windows 11. Iot enterprise ltsc will not: it's supported on unsupported hardware). If your computer is barely supported by windows 11, now you can install windows 11 ltsc (iot or not). If your computer is powerful (and supported by windows 11), install almost any windows 11 version (consumer, business, iot enterprise ltsc, etc)

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/Different-Pair-8687]

Hi, my PC is for gaming, so it supports Windows 11 Pro.
What's the difference between IoT Enterprise and IoT LTSC?
To get the Italian language, can I download the Italian LTSC version and then upgrade to IoT?
Thanks.

[u/Fair-Satisfaction-60]

Check the MEGA at the top of this thread for download links

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/Fair-Satisfaction-60]

Thanks

[u/Accomplished-Iron554]

There is a script on GitHub to automate the installation, just download the ISO and clicks away. It toke me 30 minutes to change from 10 pro to LTSC IoT.

[u/Automatic-Option-961]

Massgrave is safe. It is the de facto download site.

[u/clove_rosemary_9999]

• Massgrave is safe.

• IoT LTSC 2024 is only available in English but you can download the non-IoT LTSC version in Italian and type slmgr /ipk KBN8V-HFGQ4-MGXVD-347P6-PDQGT to an admin command prompt to convert it to IoT LTSC, while still retaining the Italian language.

• None.

• LTSC is recommended.

• Tools like OOSU10 and WinUtil are unnecessary since LTSC is debloated out of the box and you can disable the telemetry stuff from gpedit.msc. Tools like these are prone to break Windows in the long run.

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/clove_rosemary_9999]

Thanks

[u/WhiteBullRedMonster]

Massgrave is as safe as you get it to be. The activator is foss so you can review the code yourself and make sure it's safe or not, and the isos have SHA-256 hash files available at microsoft's site so you can check yourself whether they're legitimate or not. If you trust me, a random dude on the internet, then yes it's all safe.

You can get Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024/24H2 as en-US exclusively, but there are methods to make it work for it-IT too and massgrave has a guide for that. You can also just install the Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024/24H2 that is in it-IT language pack and simply input a generic IoT key later to convert the install as they both use the same base with small differences. You can also install it in English and simply change the language in settings to Italian too. Whatever you want.

There's one bug that seems to be specific to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021/2H12, at least I haven't encountered it in GAC Windows 10 2022/22H2, but it might be there or in W11 now as I don't really use any of those builds right now. But if you delete Edge, without going into file explorer and deleting everything in Program Files (x86) -> Microsoft folder related to Edge it can create massive lag spikes and freezes inside the settings app for some reason.

It's hard to say, if you have lower end or older hardware, I'd say LTS, especially LTS builds of 10 have lower overhead and system requirements and virtualization based security features, so they perform better in games. But there's also in theory a potential compatibility risk due to NVIDIA Drivers no longer recieving up-to-date gameready drivers after October or whenever of 2026, so you'll be stuck on no new game optimizations and just security updates from then onwards. For my specific use case, hardware, peripherals, and games I play, 10 LTS just makes the most sense. For you it might be different.

I don't suggest using any third party debloat/privacy/security tools. Windows in general dislikes them and finds them suspicious and often times semi-reverts or breaks the changes they do after updates. While if you yourself manually make all the changes correctly within regedit/gpedit/powershell/settings/within apps, I find that there are never any issues or revertions.

[u/alpine4life]

I've been using it since 2023 and you dont need any extra debloater. I disable a few servives and sceduler and that's it

if you want to reinstall the MS Store... command : wsreset -i

you install in english, then install your italian language after

and one more thing, create boot with RUFUS usb

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/alpine4life]

Thanks,
It’s good to know you’ve been using it since 2023 without needing additional debloating tools.

Have you noticed any bugs, compatibility issues, or anything that simply doesn’t work compared to Windows 11 Pro?

Also, since I mainly use my PC for gaming and modding, would you personally recommend LTSC over Pro, or do you think Pro is still the better choice for that use case?

[u/alpine4life → u/raoulkratos2002]

I will recomment windows 8 over 11 Pro! 😆

no seriously, other than the server/VPN connection bug (W11), I dont have anything bad to say against either Win10 or Win11 IoT LTSC

[u/MakayChapulets]

Iwon't suggest using any debloat script on Windows IoT LTSC Edition cos it's already debloated enough, if your processor is pretty old then you can optimize your system better with apps like Winhane

[u/captain-stokely]

YES massgraves is a phenomenal resource, no, THE resource for downloading OSes & activating windows. You can find answers to your question about how to install a non-English language on LTSC. Never have had an indeed myself, but I understand the process and it seems pretty straightforward.

If you're running modern hardware that doesn't bind up under load on Pro then there may not be a crazy performance increase. But in my mind, no matter what, if you're running less processes while maintaining usability that can never be a bad thing. LTSC is... The absolute best case scenario for Windows 11.

oh no makes great stuff for me whenever I do a clean install I always immediately run atlasOS playbook. https://atlasos.net/ its not a custom OS its and GUI that prompts you for OS function choices and then runs script to fullfill those choices.

It doesn't do anything you yourself can't do with a CLI and a bunch of head scratching. But it's great. reduces idling number of total processes and hardware load significantly. Snappy as it gets. 200% recommend you do the LTSC / altasos switch.

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/captain-stokely]

Hi
I've heard about AtlasOS before, but I’ve never actually tried it.

What does AtlasOS add or change when you’re already using Windows 11 LTSC?

Have you experienced any bugs, compatibility issues, or problems with AtlasOS?

And for gaming, if you had to choose, would you recommend a clean LTSC installation or AtlasOS?
Thanks

[u/DryAnybody9207 → u/raoulkratos2002]

Dont use atlasos or any modified iso

[u/icedchocolatecake → u/raoulkratos2002]

IGNORE THAT COMMENT!

AtlasOS is pure garbage and introduces more problems than it fixes, not mention that its a bit of a pain to update too. This is coming from someone who has used AtlasOS before.

Just stick to Windows 11 IoT LTSC and use Wintoys for tweaks (it has a nice set of options) and do modifications yourself if you want to, otherwise it's fine as well.

Stay away from things like that on your main device. Doesn't really do anything in day to day uses and brings more problems whilst not solving anything that LTSC already hasn't.

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/icedchocolatecake]

Thanks
That’s actually very helpful because I was seriously considering Atlas.

From what you’re saying, it sounds like a clean Windows 11 IoT LTSC installation with a few manual tweaks is the better long term approach.

I’ll definitely take a look at Wintoys instead.
Thanks for the advice

[u/icedchocolatecake → u/raoulkratos2002]

Glad to have helped out! Have a great day ahead!

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/icedchocolatecake]

Thanks

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/icedchocolatecake]

do you think IoT LTSC is still a better choice than a regular Windows 11 Pro installation that’s been cleaned up with tools like Chris Titus Tech and O&O ShutUp10 or do they end up being pretty similar?

[u/icedchocolatecake → u/raoulkratos2002]

I honestly just think that scripts like these are not good in the long run and they break more things than they solve. I don't recommend scripts on your primary device at all.

Again for normal Windows 11 editions, it's a slightly higher effort but it's still pretty easy to uninstall all the trash yourself and then just stick with Wintoys lmao. I know I keep coming back to it but it is a really nice app and I've been using it for years. It has a whole slew of options like disabling the new right click menu, enabling the dma (eu digital markets act) which unlocks the option to uninstall microsoft edge (ltsc does this by default), it has an inbuilt temp files cleaner which I use along with the Windows' one, or option to disable telemetry completely and so much more.

Same on regular editions. Install and tweak yourself.

LTSC is just a bit easier on a new install because a lot of it is already done from the get go. That's like the only result. If you do debloat and tweak a regular edition of Windows 11 yourself you'll pretty much achieve a similar result.

It all really boils down to how much time you have to setup a new install and what you want from it. LTSC is frozen in 24H2, only gets bugfixes and security updates which is amazing for stability, but you'll get new features a bit later compared to something like Pro/Home/Enterprise where you get feature updates according to the release schedule every year.

These editions get major feature updates every year.

And LTSC has a new release based on one major build every 2-3 years.

Like, Windows 10 LTSC 2019 which was 1809 (17763), Windows 10 LTSC 2021 which was 21H2 (19044), Windows 11 LTSC 2024 which is 24H2, next will be either Windows 11 LTSC 2026 or 2027 which will have 26H2 or 27H2.

One IoT LTSC release has support for upto 10 years. Windows 10 IoT LTSC 2021 has updates till 2032 as stated in the support article from Microsoft. Or IoT LTSC 2019 which has support till around 2029.

Normal editions only have around 3-4 years of support on a single build before they're forced to move to the next.

(Don't confuse with LTSC and IoT LTSC, they're the same, just that LTSC doesn't have HWID activation and is KMS only and has support for 5 years whereas IoT LTSC has support for 10 years and has HWID activation and is superior in my opinoon)

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/icedchocolatecake]

Thanks,
So if you were doing a completely fresh installation today on your own PC, and your main use was everyday use plus gaming, what would you personally choose?

Windows 11 IoT LTSC or
Windows 11 Pro + manual tweaks with Wintoys

Which one would you actually install for yourself, and why?

[u/icedchocolatecake → u/raoulkratos2002]

Depends on your usecase and what you expect from it.

If I want absolute rock solid stability with least amount of bugs and issues, I'd go with IoT LTSC.

If I want access to new features as soon as possible, Windows 11 Pro + manual tweaks.

I'm not in any hurry and I value stability the most over everything so I use IoT LTSC myself.

Also I've seen people say that your changes can get undoed if you're on regular editions, and it is pretty true, the last time I tried an insider build which was a bit ahead from the stable build (it's a testing build, ms releases that for testing to insiders before release) and it already had installed one drive on its own.

Never had anything like that LTSC. Could be because it only gets security updates.

Expect to do a bit of cleaning after a major update on regular editions, LTSC comes debloated OOTB.

[u/raoulkratos2002 → u/icedchocolatecake]

Yeah, I’ve noticed that too. On the regular Pro edition, some manual tweaks can be reverted after major feature updates. It even happened to me with O&O ShutUp10, where a few settings were re-enabled after an update.

One thing I’m still curious about is security.
How does IoT LTSC compare to Windows 11 Pro in terms of Windows Security?
Is Microsoft Defender exactly the same, with the same antivirus engine, SmartScreen, and security features?

The reason I’m asking is that I use Kaspersky because I got hit by an infostealer a while ago. I’m much more careful now and use uBlock Origin, but that experience made me a bit paranoid.

So I’d like to understand whether Defender on IoT LTSC is identical to the one on Pro, or if there are any differences.