How can I (typical home user) purchase LTSB? How difficult would it be? Is it affordable?

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by adabo, Jul 20, 2017.

  1. adabo

    adabo MDL Novice

    Aug 2, 2009
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    I can't thank this forum enough for opening my eyes to the Long Term Servicing Branch. I thought Pro was the best you could get. Nope. Since I've tried LTSB my system has been rock solid. No feature updates. No metro apps. In fact, running multi-monitors with one being a T.V. works great on this branch whereas Pro completely broke it after Creator's update. It wasn't even working well before Creator's!

    Needless to say, LTSB works great and I can't imagine every using any other version of Win10. It's like the best of Win7 and Win10 combined.

    I showed a friend of mine this version of 10 explaining just how pleased I am with it. Basically telling him that it's built for the corporate environment and because of this, only the most stable features are kept and nothing is ever changed due to the nature of how businesses work. One slight change and the whole business is in a quagmire of problems and money would be bleeding out of their pockets trying to fix it.

    Now he wants it, but he doesn't want it if he can't buy it. That got me thinking "How would a home user buy it?". I'm never installing Pro again. But I'm actually going to miss being legit. Now I'm not.

    So what can my friend do? Is there any way? Perhaps a workaround? Anything in the fine print that would allow a private home operated business to obtain a copy? A very low-income business?

    Thanks for reading and I appreciate all your help!
     
  2. Enthousiast

    Enthousiast MDL Tester

    Oct 30, 2009
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    Start an enterprise and buy it?

    LTSB is a function specific OS, meant for hospital or military equipment (among others).
     
  3. Myrrh

    Myrrh MDL Expert

    Nov 26, 2008
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    Enterprise (and by extension LTSB) used to be available only with Software Assurance on a Volume License contract and the license is only valid for the duration of the contract. Kind of like a subscription.

    I have read that there are other ways to get it now, but all of them are subscription-based. Enterprise and LTSB is not something you pay for once and have a perpetual license for.
     
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  4. Snuffy

    Snuffy MDL Expert

    Jan 7, 2008
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    I use LTSB 2015 as my Home based Business Main OS. never any issue. (10.0.10240.17113) licensed as OEM
     

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  5. Mr.X

    Mr.X MDL Guru

    Jul 14, 2013
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    Is not cute/nice to not say how LTSB OS can have an OEM license...
     
  6. Enthousiast

    Enthousiast MDL Tester

    Oct 30, 2009
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    Isn't that the generated key that once was shared here?
     
  7. adabo

    adabo MDL Novice

    Aug 2, 2009
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    Not sure how this is helpful. Are you asking me a question? Can you ellaborate?

    Interesting! What steps did you go through for this?
     
  8. Tiger-1

    Tiger-1 MDL Guru

    Oct 18, 2014
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    yep I also like to know :g:
     
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  9. Mr.X

    Mr.X MDL Guru

    Jul 14, 2013
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    @Enthousiast is being kind of sarcastic and having fun, you know, weed is free to circulate where he lives :D:p:eek::cool:
     
  10. Mr.X

    Mr.X MDL Guru

    Jul 14, 2013
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    He came in to brag this OEM activation on LTSB and now I'm jealous. :p
     
  11. sebus

    sebus MDL Guru

    Jul 23, 2008
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    And how legal is that for home business?
     
  12. Enthousiast

    Enthousiast MDL Tester

    Oct 30, 2009
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    It was just to say, LTSB is not meant for consumers.
     
  13. Mr.X

    Mr.X MDL Guru

    Jul 14, 2013
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    Mine was just to say... I'm making of some comments of yours and others, hahahaha. :p
    Dude, have a nice Sunday.
     
  14. dhjohns

    dhjohns MDL Guru

    Sep 5, 2013
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    Absolutely not. It is very stripped down, and does not get updates hardly ever. I would not recommend using it for a Main Drive. It is meant for industry only.
     
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  15. Dude Guyman

    Dude Guyman MDL Senior Member

    Jun 20, 2017
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    I would. It's the only version of Windows 10 that is not bloated, bug infested trash. It's the only way I would even consider running Windows 10 at all.
     
  16. MonarchX

    MonarchX MDL Expert

    May 5, 2007
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    OK, LTSB is not some special version of Windows 10. Its just like Anniversary Edition of Pro + some Enterprise Security packages and has Store + StoreApps removed along with Edge and Cortana removed (replaced by "Semi-Cortana Search"). It gets ALL the same updates Pro build 14393 gets - NOT just security, but also bug fixes, Flash, etc.

    You can easily turn 14393 Pro into LTSB-like version by using MSMG Toolkit or NTLite to remove Store, StoreApps, Cortana, and Edge. MSMG Toolkit would be your best bet (at least for now) since it does not corrupt Component Store and if any file integrity corruption occurs, it can always be repaired with SFC /ScanNow command, updating will work, etc. You would just be missing some Enterprise Security packages - that's it. Its also not as bloatware-free as they say - it actually comes with Xbox-related BCast, a feature military or hospitals or whichever corporations are not likely to need/use.., but I think that component is mostly dormant.

    You can also add Store and Store Apps to LTSB to make a lot like stock Pro version, but you cannot add Edge to LTSB without breaking Component Store. IMHO, its best to get Pro, cut it up with MSMG Toolkit, but leave Edge because it is superior to IE. From what I understand, Pro, Home, LTSB, and non-LTSB Enterprise versions of build 14393 are going to continue to receive updated for many more years, while newer and older builds will slowly be discontinued. 14393 is the best!
     
  17. dhjohns

    dhjohns MDL Guru

    Sep 5, 2013
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    You must have a different version than I do. I am running 16241.1001.170708-1800.RS_PRERELEASE_CLIENTPRO_OEMRET_X64FRE_EN-US and it is WONDERFUL!
     
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  18. lomticksoftoast

    lomticksoftoast MDL Member

    Nov 12, 2009
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    Stripped down in a Windows 7 sort of way. LTSB gets security updates all the time. Two this month.
     
  19. v72dd

    v72dd MDL Senior Member

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    To get the "perfect" version you need GPO+CSP on top of NTLite.
     
  20. GOD666

    GOD666 MDL Expert

    Aug 1, 2015
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    #20 GOD666, Jul 24, 2017
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2017