Why do anyone download and install some strange versions - eg - N - instead of normal? And then looking - how to install components that are in normal versions? This also applies - LTSC version - someone bears a lot of complications to install the LTSC version - in your language - And then you ask how to install the store and applications from this store. It's paranoia!
The LTSC (in my case LTSC 2019) is chosen to have the same operating system for 10 years always updated.
New updates: https://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/windows-10-hotfix-repository.57050/page-680#post-1730849
Updated the 1904x (1904x.1645.1.11) Updates Overview: https://forums.mydigitallife.net/th...-21h1-2-vb_release.80763/page-16#post-1571109
Many people think that just a few codecs are missing, which is not true. Many other things related to network streaming are missing as well. So the initial guess that LAV codecs are enough for everything is not correct, but that is not a fault of a random user, that's is the usual MS way to fight the EU enforcements. That said smaller images with less crap are very welcome in a number of situations LTSC is not just the packages installed, is also the product policy, there is nothing wrong on installing the store just to grab a single "square" program.
Read what you link. They talk about N version in general, not LTSC N, and, to summarize, they explain that you will miss some "Metro" crap, which obviously is something that #1 doesn't affects LTSC #2 practically doesn't affect any other version unless you are one of the two person who used the mixed reality things
Practical examples: Crossfire (CS-GO copy-cat), had issues with audio no matter what you did to fix it in N editions (including LTSC N 2019). Or mp3 player / phone error out on PC connection despite MTP support should be generic. Or BT audio (made in china ofc). Or intel wireless display (older implementation). It's probably less of an issue now with modern builds, but why take a chance? because it's 300MB-XXX or so less size? You're gonna debloat it anyway. The only reason to run a N edition is license constrains. At least in Europe OEM N editions are/were a bit cheaper so it's more common.
I still haven't seen any (online/real) store sell N editions, neither did i ever see it pre-installed on any OEM device that crossed my attention.
Don't you remember when Microsoft greased the NL government and they started "cracking down on piracy" and everybody was running to get a XP oem disk for cheap? that was the N version at 110 - 130 guilder - I think, if not, euros. vs 150+ Then the trend slowed down with 7 because the price difference was less.
I got one XP Home COEM (systembuilder) license with my PC-Prive project PC, after that only leaked MSDN XP Pro Corp keys used. And still i have never seen any N editions being sold or pre-installed. ps, i bought two dutch win 7 COEM DVD sets in my live (for a "client") but not in holland (€109 in holland) but in germany €69 in that era i only bought pc stuff in germany (living on the border)
Well, all the big players refused to preinstall N editions and that's why shops did not have it. But drive couple miles to "industrial area", and could find a (legit) microsoft partner office selling bulk oem disks.
Anyone else having a problem with KB5012599? I've tried both the normal MS update and the MSU. I've even shut down crypto services and renamed catroot2 and softwaredistribution to try to reset the process in case it was getting hung up on something.
WU simply installed it when it was offered. Offline integration also no problems here: https://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/windows-10-hotfix-repository.57050/page-680#post-1730896
So you are telling that a release w/o multimedia components has problems with multimedia features? That's really unexpected ! Yea I go to debloat, you go to debloat, but what about the average Joe? (intended broadly, that include sysadmins in hurry who need a small VM or situation like that where using a custom image is not practical, because time constraints etc...) But don't get me wrong, I'm not a N supporter, I'm just not comfortable when someone dissuade newbies from trying it, using false/partial arguments.
It's precisely the newbies that must be dissuaded! because they won't be able to overcome even the issues that can be overcome. And the big boys OEMs are still not fans of N for practical reasons - those newbies are gonna complain when feature x does not work! specially when it's part of the motherboard utilities and drivers. What false/partial arguments?! the sysadmins in hurry? And how small? enough to warrant a likely reinstall with the proper non N when some issue arises? Yes, there's zero reason to be a N supporter. I'm not even a big LTS* supporter for pretty much the same reasons - it's far from perfect and has shortcomings when it comes to windows desktop usage over time. Look no further than the past LTS* discussions and how quickly everybody jumps to the newest. For personal usage, willing to put constant effort? now that's something else entirely. I've seen you in the reconstruction thread, I know you're capable!