Which LTSC version to Install on my Main Work Machine?

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by David Miller, Apr 3, 2022.

  1. David Miller

    David Miller MDL Novice

    Jun 14, 2017
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    I'm currently on Windows 11 and I don't really dig it. I want to completely erase my HDD and install Windows 10 LTSC on it.

    Before embarking on the journey I want to find out which of the following is lighter on system resources and generally more stable overall?
    • Windows 10 LTSC 2019
    • Windows 10 LTSC 2021
    I mainly use my computer for programming, running tools such as VSCode, Python, NodeJS, Android Studio, Various CLI Tools.

    Looking forward for your responses :)
     
  2. While it's generally not advised to run LTSC on a day-to-day use device, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 is newer and probably has better support for programs than the old versions.
    Might this be the reason you're not satisfied with Windows 11?
     
  3. David Miller

    David Miller MDL Novice

    Jun 14, 2017
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    I'm not satisfied with Windows 11 not because of Windows itself, but because my machine is a sort of low end one, I want something simple, light, without Microsoft Store or the apps it ships with.

    Would you mind elaborating why? What issues will I face?
     
  4. As you already said, it's missing apps and all the video codecs are apps, basically. You'll likely get problems with them when trying to game. Another thing is that you can't install printer drivers as most of them are apps, the same goes for NVIDIA control panel.
     
  5. David Miller

    David Miller MDL Novice

    Jun 14, 2017
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    I see.

    Are there any other OS that you recommend? Or should I just suck it up and stick with Windows 11?
     
  6. Dude Guyman

    Dude Guyman MDL Senior Member

    Jun 20, 2017
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    I used LTSx 2016, 2019, and now 2021 (21H2) and the latest LTSC is solid, I found 2019 a bit sketchy. The missing apps (bloat and spyware) are no problem at all, and are the reason I use LTSC. Don't know about printer driver and codecs being apps, but the Nvidia driver control panel (app) installs and runs perfectly fine without the Store. Gaming, video/audio recording/editing all work perfectly fine.

    I say go with LTSC 2021 19044.xxxx for sure...unless you have a specific need for something that comes from the "Store" and don't want to fool with adding the Store manually.
     
  7. HSGB

    HSGB MDL Novice

    Jul 29, 2009
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    Dude Guyman.

    I haven't been around since I last went through all this in 2010, with Windows 7. Windows 10 seems to be a bit different to say the least. Can I ask how you determine you install this 'LTSC' version? I have taken a quick look about and it seems that it is only the 'Enterprise' version that is LTSC, is this not a contradiction? As the Enterprise version is surely the bloatiest, yet the LTSC version seems to be missing a lot of bloat, how does this work?

    Cheers.
     
  8. Enthousiast

    Enthousiast MDL Tester

    Oct 30, 2009
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    Please stop calling features bloat.

    Enterprise LTSB/C doesn't have the pre-installed UWP apps and is long term serviced, all before 2021 LTSC 5+5 years of support, normal 2021 LTSC 5 years and IoT ent. 2021 LTSC 5+5 years.
     
  9. HSGB

    HSGB MDL Novice

    Jul 29, 2009
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    I personally consider 50% of these 'features' bloat, if that is going to give you a tantrum, there is nothing I can do in that regard. And stop talking in riddles, Your answer, consisting of endless initialisms, means nothing.
     
  10. Enthousiast

    Enthousiast MDL Tester

    Oct 30, 2009
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    I talk in riddles?
    ?
     
  11. ZXGU

    ZXGU MDL Novice

    Mar 22, 2022
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    If I were you, I would choose LTSC 2019 because LTSC 2021 looks bloated and has bugs
     
  12. case-sensitive

    case-sensitive MDL Expert

    Nov 7, 2013
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    In my opinion ...... Windows 10 LTSC IS windows 10 ........... all the other versions are either LTSC with restrictions / things blocked .......... or LTSC with BLOAT .
     
  13. El_Heffe

    El_Heffe MDL Member

    Jul 16, 2007
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    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  14. strotee

    strotee MDL Member

    Jan 30, 2011
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    I went to 2021 LTSC soon after its release and am now making an updated 17763 ISO with W10UI. I'll install in a VM and see how it runs. But I'm thinking of returning back to 17763 myself.
     
  15. boyonthebus

    boyonthebus MDL Expert

    Sep 16, 2018
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    Microsoft has no bloat. It has features, and the vast majority of people like them. If you don't want many of these features try installing Professional Workstation instead.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  16. acer-5100

    acer-5100 MDL Guru

    Dec 8, 2018
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    #16 acer-5100, Apr 9, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2022
    Use either 2016 if you prefer backward compatibility, or 2021 if your HW is very recent.

    2019 is an half backed release, which is not friendly with older HW like 2016 nor beading EDGE like 2021.

    Keep in mind that is easier to remove further crap and trash (don't call it bloat :rasta:) from 2016 using just dism, while to decrapify 2021 tools like MSMG are almost mandatory.
     
  17. acer-5100

    acer-5100 MDL Guru

    Dec 8, 2018
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    #17 acer-5100, Apr 9, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2022
  18. Carlos Detweiller

    Carlos Detweiller Emperor of Ice-Cream

    Dec 21, 2012
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    Corrected it for you.
     
  19. Dude Guyman

    Dude Guyman MDL Senior Member

    Jun 20, 2017
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    Because Having Internet Explorer 11, Old Edge (disabled but still there), and New Credge all at the same time, and damned near every other leftover spaghetti coded old component since Windows 2000 is totally not bloaty. Old control panel, new Settings panel. I call it BLOAT, along with Candy Crush, Skype, and on and on; you all can call it features if you like.
     
    I would recommend the 2021 LTSC as it is the most current and will have better compatibility with newer hardware. From experience, RAM consumption will increase by an average of 300 MB (1.2 GB idle) compared to the previous version, but for the way Windows handles memory usage, this is totally irrelevant.

    As you will be using it for work, I recommend that you use ShutUp10++ and apply all the settings, as I do on my machine. My installations have always worked for years without any problems because I don't update. I install once, freeze, and everything is ready for use.