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Find out all you need to know about Windows 11 LTSC and whether you should give it a shot in the near future.
The PC community shares mixed reviews on Microsoft’s official Windows ‘Lite,’ Windows 11 LTSC. LTSC stands for Long-Term Servicing Channel. Windows 11 LTSC made its debut in 2024. We admit that it is not everyone’s cup of tea. It is designed primarily to cater to enterprise customers and individuals who prioritize stability over constant updates.
In this post, we will cover information on this OS, including its benefits, limitations, and whether you should switch to Windows 11 LTSC. Without further ado, let’s begin.
What Exactly Is Windows 11 LTSC?
Windows 11 LTSC can simply be defined as Microsoft’s specialized variant of the Windows 11 operating system. But what really sets it apart from the regular Home or Pro editions? Well, it is engineered for use in environments where uninterrupted operation is the highest priority. Thus, it does not receive new features and updates as the Home or Pro editions do. This difference makes it a perfect operating system to use in banks, government agencies, healthcare facilities, kiosks, etc.
True to its name, Windows 11 LTSC prioritizes long-term support above all else. LTSC offers extended support over a period of 5 to 10 years. The OS receives only the essential security patches and bug fixes over that period. Moreover, these updates are optional. These infrequent and optional updates work towards maintaining a stable operating environment with no daily influx of non-critical updates.
Windows 11 LTSC Features
The most defining aspect of Windows 11 LTSC is how streamlined, clean, and bloat-free it is. Such a design promotes a clean operating system that is capable of quick boot times and running efficiently. This feature makes it the perfect companion for systems with older hardware.
Right out of the box, the OS comes with just the classic Windows apps like Notepad, Edge, Calculator, MS Paint, and Snipping Tool. You will notice that newer features like Microsoft Store, AI integrations, and Copilot are missing. Rather than being a drawback, this feature is actually what some organizations and individuals are in need of. This deliberate design choice ensures a decluttered system that only applies critical updates and fixes.
Windows 11 LTSC System Requirements
True to its purpose, this operating system is less demanding than regular Windows 11 when we talk about their system requirements. Features like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are sometimes essential to the stable functionality of standard Windows 11 editions. However, LTSC offers more flexibility. In certain configurations, you can even use the Windows 11 LTSC on systems with merely 2GB of memory.
The table below offers a quick visual comparison of the system requirements of standard Windows 11 and Windows 11 LTSC:
| Component | Recommended Specifications | More Lenient Minimum Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz, 2 Cores | 1 GHz, 2 Cores |
| System Memory | 4 GB | 2 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB (SSD) | 16 GB (depending on configuration) |
| Firmware | UEFI (with TPM 2.0 advised) | BIOS (TPM and Secure Boot optional) |
| DirectX | DirectX 12 | DirectX 10 / None |
Installation and Licensing
As we previously mentioned, Windows 11 LTSC is primarily designed to be used by enterprise users. However, that does not mean a regular user won’t have the chance to test-drive this operating system. Microsoft allows users to download the ISO file for that purpose.
This version of Windows 11 LTSC has a 90-day evaluation period. If you intend to use it beyond that period, you will have to acquire a volume license through official authorized channels.
Thankfully, the installation process itself is quite straightforward. You can simply employ the use of tools like Rufus to flash the ISO file to a thumb drive. You can even opt to deploy it within a virtual machine. The installation process is basically the same as other Windows 11 editions. There are only a few subtle differences in the setup experience that are especially noticeable post-installation.
Performance and Use Cases
Alright, so we already went over how Windows 11 LTSC sets itself apart by focusing on stability and minimalism. You will notice that the installation footprint of LTSC (12GB) is notably smaller when compared to Windows 11 Pro’s (24GB). Moreover, at idle, the resource consumption was remarkably low, at roughly 2GB of memory and about 5% of CPU usage. These traits make this OS highly desirable in settings where system downtime is the worst possible outcome.
But as we mentioned at the start of this post, it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Users who are conditioned to using a vibrant ecosystem of apps and regular feature updates will find LTSC bland. Especially considering the lack of a Microsoft Store and modern AI-integrated features, it can feel a bit limiting.
Is Windows 11 LTSC for You?
If you are wondering whether you should switch to the lighter, bloat-free Windows 11 LTSC, you should consider your use case and needs. If your use case revolves around stability over constant innovation, then this operating system would suit your needs better than the standard one. Keep in mind that you will be sacrificing some of the convenient apps and innovative features that come with the standard editions.
However, if you want similar versions of Windows but want certain features intact, there are a few options available to you. Here are some clean, bloat-free operating systems that offer similar benefits to this OS:
Note: The options listed above are developed by third parties. They are not official Microsoft products.
That covers pretty much all of it. We hope that equipped with these insights, we were able to help you decide whether Windows 11 LTSC is right for you.
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