Not sure you can change the actual sku without a reg mod and inplace upgrade, but you can just install the media feature pack for N versions.
Can we install IoT LTSC skipping activation then update it to 19044.2788 & then use kms as the first ever activation on it or need to HWID activate first & then change to kms after update 19044.2788?
I guess if you reaaaally want to activate offline you could use the same script after updating the system. The only method that MS wouldn't be able to block afaik is if you integrated only the necessary updates into an ISO so you could install offline. MS isn't really in the habit of revoking activation entitlements. Just saying.
That's not it. I already use kms for my other PCs so just wanted to use kms for any new windows install as I can manage it more effectively compared to HWID activation.
You can activate all supported windows SKUs with kms (local kms server emulation = offline), kms38 (offline and working without any renewal needs till 2038), hwid (online) or key (online), nothing is blocking you. Don't know what you mean by "i can manage it more effectively compared to hwid....".
I meant I can control the kms server so in future I can remove a system/windows install from getting kms activation but in hwid once i activate then it is out of my control (like if I sell that system in future then can't remove activation from it).
I know but the system to be sold will most likely have mobo+processor combo so that is not possible unless I sell mobo & processor separately.
HWID is mostly based on LAN/Mobo, and what does it matter when the system has a HWID? It's linked to the hardware.
In my region many ppl buy those ultra cheap win 10/11 keys after installing windows so if system is already HWID activated then they will ask me to do the work to install their purchased key as they typically don't have much tech knowledge regarding windows. This is why I use kms & now kms38 also looks good.
So they prefer to buy a questionable key instead of the free auto-activation by hwid when installing windows? And why would you use kms(38) when they ask you to install that questionable key then?
I know but here the ppl thinking is like that only. By kms38 I meant that if for some reason kms is not available as option for activation/some other issue then it can be used & later it will be uninstalled while selling the system assuming kms38 can be uninstalled because if not then I will stick to kms.
The only thing you have to do to re-activate after re-installing windows after using hwid activation is to turn on the internet.
I know & that's the issue for me as i don't want to sell a system which will get activated automatically after first connection to internet as ppl I am going to sell would most likely be buying their own key to install later expecting windows to be in trial mode.
Then they should stop buying questionable aka stolen keys from criminals who scan the ftp servers for keys, among other methods and start enjoying the fact that windows was free for a very long time and continued to be free since we invented hwid on the fly generation tools and the fact that only a retail re-install is needed to get the activation back, for free for the remaining of the lifetime of the hardware..