Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019/2021

The only one who's paranoid here is you, and to that end, Windows 10 Pro is what you'll want to use. Period, paragraph.

 

As long he don't buy one of the Pro lisences on the different sales pages

"Also of note, the only time a discount Windows license is actually illegal is when it was purchased using stolen payment information or generated using crack software, both extremely rare cases"

 

It's perfectly legal. You just buy the key and activate your copy of Windows with it. These keys are not MAK keys, they're one time use only keys (like normal keys for home and pro) and therefore are suitable for individual use. There's no need for extra steps.

How do I know this? Because my university provides all students with limited free keys (we pay for it with our tuition, I know) for every version of Windows under the sun upon request, and I mean EVERY version. I've gotten keys for all my machines, so I haven't had to directly pay for Windows since I've been in college.

I just request a key and activate my Windows version of choice on any machine I want. There are no extra steps needed.

 

-

 

Your proposition does not prove your therefore conclusion because:

Your university probably has a volume licensing agreement with Microsoft because windows 10 LTSC is officially available only to corporate users under the Volume Licensing program.

Key Management Service (KMS) allows organizations to activate systems within their own network.
Multiple Activation Key (MAK) activates systems on a one-time basis, using Microsoft's hosted activation services.


Unless you are running an LTSC evaluation version with a 90 day trial and then re extending it, you probably are using the KMS version method.


I am just learning about the different methods.

 

What is your problem d00d? Either buy a key like all of us did and are enjoying the best version of Windows or just leave. No one is going to stop using LTSC because of your false assumptions and no one is telling you to use it.

 

well said, Spartan!

 

You are correct. Officially, LTSC is only available as a volume license to corporations. Microsoft does offer individual keys to some clients however.

These keys are the ones being resold on third party sites. When you activate your copy of LTSC with them, you are in fact running a genuine, legal, licensed copy of Windows 10 LTSC.

I encourage you to try WIndows 10 LTSC. You'll never look back once you start using it because it is a vastly superior operating system to any other edition of Windows 10. It's basically Windows 7, but WIndows 10 if that makes any sense.

 

Paranoid… that's adorable.

Not paranoid, just don't even remotely understand what the heck your point or motivation here is. You don't like the business model of resellers. Fine, but why should we care?

 

Typical

Person questions forum mob = gets mob freakout

All aboard the virtue signal - validation - consensus feedback loop train.

Recommended actions - accuse person questioning the forum gods of having a problem, and everyone agree and mob the dissenter, so we can have our consensus and feel virtuous as we give each other validation and the world will be saved again.

 

We get it, you don't trust the licenses being sold. Simply, don't use it and stick to the consumer editions. See ya

 

Thanks, that makes sense. I would certainly want LTSC. I was simply trying to understand the various licensing and activation options and there seems to be lots of conflicting information out there about it.

 

Recommended actions - accuse person questioning the forum gods of not trusting the licenses being sold and not liking the business model of resellers.

 

No problem! This forum is here to help you.

I understand your confusion. This is what happens when we run an obscure version of an OS that not many people know about. There is very little information publicly available on LTSC, and such information is very diffucult to find. Some people make false assumptions and relay that as if it were a fact, which result in the conflicts in information that you mentioned.

 

Excellent. LTSC is by far the best version of Win10.

With all due respect however, the tone of your first posts seemed to firmly place you in the camp that folks here were/are wrong.

Spoiler: Earlier posts

Regardless, I'm pretty sure you'll be happy if you do go with LTSC

 

I've had ltsc on my other laptop since 2018 with no problems on licensing etc I guess you could argue about not being a large business as being shady but it's an abstraction that I doubt ms cares much about, key checks out, fine then. There is so much bloat that is not there in ltsc it performs better, takes up less drive space etc you'll be happy.

My newer laptop came with some home version of win10 and I had to go through and disable/uninstall all those background apps, app permissions, having to download norton removal tool to get rid of that, etc etc etc and I'm still sure there's plenty running in a hidden way but I need to keep it on here if I need to return it, once the return period is over LTSC is going on it.

 

It's not that I am saying you are wrong, just that you are not right. There is a big difference.

Just kidding.

Someone that knows a lot about the subject told me he it thinks this method is questionable because he wasn't aware of any official legal way that is simple like this. He said if I want to run it that is how I would probably have to do it though.

It was recommended to take certain precautions to configure and manage it as if it was bootleg version, which sounds like a hassle to me.

Maybe the method here is legal and he isn't aware of that.

I did see court decisions that appear to say it wasn't illegal to resell software anyway.
https://www.wired.com/2013/03/scotus-first-sale-decision/
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/2...-even-if-software-company-says-you-cant.shtml

 

You'll have to forgive our incredulity at some rando on the Internet who heard from some other rando when everyone on this thread has first-hand experience using the software with no issues at all.

 

You'll have to forgive this rando on the internet's skepticism, when some randos on a forum who say it is legal and has no issues at all. When this rando knows another rando who uses it and is an informed rando.

 

so i created a account finally to thank you guys for your amazing hard work @Spartan@HIDevolution @Papusan @Mr. Fox i landed on this website while looking through google for a stable version of windows without
feature updates which led me to Win-LTSC and all the tweaks mentioned in this forum... after doing most or some of the tweaks i feel that my computer seems unchained and not bogged down which is a plus but on my amd 3950x seems Win-Ltsc isn't supported something to do with the silicon lottery and hardware being supported in that version so i have to wait for the 2021-LTSC but in the meantime ill stick to 20H2 in order not to deal with feature updates so i can disable it for 365 days through group policy while receiving security updates until LTSC-2021 is released....

just wanted to know if the (Windows 10 Tweaks and Fixes (Index post #1) is still valid since most of the items are dated 6 years ago and also if we can separate them into categories like (Windows Privacy/Windows Update/Windows Drivers/Windows tweaks and mods/ because ive been going through all of them and it looks confusing it jumps all over the place with out order my main focus is to privacy disable all keylogging and disable anything telemetry

 

For anyone who needs the Xbox apps for any reason, I've compiled a list of the links to all the needed Xbox components (some games need it)

Xbox
Xbox Identity Provider
Xbox Console Companion
Xbox Game Bar
Xbox Game Bar Plugin

 

I believe what is right in front of my face and what I interact with on a near-daily basis. As you've been told, you are free to do as you please with with the information that has been provided to you. It's no skin off any of our noses.

 

I read that with LTSC has no hardware support for VP9/HEVC ( used on YouTube, encrypted video streams – Netflix, Amazon Video, etc.).

Does that mean you can't watch regular youtube videos on a LTSC computer?
Or is that only for their paid subscription based streaming services?

 

I have never heard of this. You can do anything on LTSC that you can do on regular Enterprise, Home or Pro. This includes watching videos on Youtube, Netflix, etc.

Picture proof of me watching Youtube videos on LTSC:

 

Thanks. That is good info.
I wonder if there is any difference between encrypted video streaming on LTSC compared to just regular youtube video playing.

Do you run a video player or video playback software or does LTSC come with one?
Or are you running a browser that has one built in?

 

I use VLC since that is my most favorite media player for music and videos. You will have to install a 3rd party media player as LTSC does not come with one (that I know of). Windows 10's default everything applications (music player, video player, etc) are garbage UWP apps, which LTSC does not come with (thank goodness).

As for encrypted video streaming, someone else will have to chime in because I don't know the answer to that question.

 

Thanks. I expected to use one but didn't know which one to try.

I used cyberlink, and the iTunes player and they seemed too invasive and like to take control. Cyberlink sort of acted like a virus if I remember right.
I actually liked the windows media center 2005 video player fairly well back then.
I will have to look into VLC.

 

VLC is a no nonsense media player. It does exactly what it says it does, nothing more. This is why it's my favorite.

 

That is great that you have a method that is working for you. I didn't understand how it worked, and appreciate the info.

That sounds good to me, I will certainly check it out.

 

The Mega link is down. Any chance to reupload? Would love to give this a try.

 

Google drive link courtesy of Mr. Fox: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zh4lfDOAKL7PkCz1NAdrPgAtGoJhEBDs/view

 

February 9, 2021—KB4601345 (OS Build 17763.1757) + KB4601393 as SSU | Feb 9, 2021

Highlights

• Updates to improve security when using input devices such as a mouse, keyboard, or pen.
• Updates for verifying usernames and passwords.

Improvements and fixes

• Addresses a possible elevation of privilege vulnerability in the win32k component.
• Security updates to Windows App Platform and Frameworks, Windows Apps, Windows Input and Composition, Windows Cloud Infrastructure, Windows Management, Windows Authentication, Windows Fundamentals, Windows Cryptography, Windows Virtualization, and Windows Core Networking.

If you installed earlier updates, only the new fixes contained in this package will be downloaded and installed on your device.

For more information about the resolved security vulnerabilities, please refer to the new Security Update Guide website.

Remember the servicing stack update must be installed first.
1) SSU (Servicing Stack Update) - KB4601393

2) CU (Cumulative Update) 17763.1757 - KB4601345

February 9, 2021-KB4601887 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5, 4.7.2 and 4.8 for Windows 10, version 1809 and Windows Server, version 2019

DotnetCU 3.5 & 4.8:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/c..._433f80c4aa1a9613e8a57357e3f07a2cdccdad1b.msu

DotnetCU 3.5 & 4.7.2:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/c..._b645458f512391ae20e17e21f01d24183b5076c9.msu

 

^^^ tried the links, 2) CU (Cumulative Update) 17763.1757 - KB4601345 > it links to KB4601393.

 

Thanks. Edited. Not sure what happened. I mean I downloased the patch from the link at same day it was posted.


Reps added

 

All well. Downloaded it from update.ms, KB4601345 there listed for ltsb, went ahead anyway and installed seemingly ok without complaining, on my ltsc.
But a fresh reflect image always at hand, so whatever may had gone wrong, zero problem.

 

The one in your post links to KB4601393

And yeah, not sure why Microsoft prefer the LTSB naming over LTSC for this OS version.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/18165

 

^ ^ lol, it's infectuous this one! Should only have been text, no link. Fixed.

Update has gone fine, and all still well with activation etc

 

February 16, 2021-KB4601383 (OS Build 17763.1790) Preview


CU (Cumulative Update) 17763.1790 - KB4601383

February 16, 2021-KB4602298 Cumulative Update Preview for .NET Framework 3.5, 4.7.2 and 4.8 for Windows 10, version 1809 and Windows Server, version 2019

DotnetCU 3.5 & 4.8:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/d..._76b1806e30f9f891a4b410a486a272a41b988044.msu

DotnetCU 3.5 & 4.7.2:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/d..._2abd844aa457ecf0cf668fd8c449a1bc3b4da4b4.msu


NEW 2/16/21
IMPORTANT As part of the end of support for Adobe Flash, KB4577586 is now available as an optional update from Windows Update (WU) and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). Installing KB4577586 will remove Adobe Flash Player permanently from your Windows device. Once installed, you cannot uninstall KB4577586. For more details about Microsoft’s plans, see Update on Adobe Flash Player End of Support.

Download link - KB4577586

 

M$ reduces Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC support to 5 years from the current 10.

https://news.softpedia.com/news/windows-10-ltsc-to-receive-support-for-only-five-years-532226.shtml

https://www.ghacks.net/2021/02/19/microsoft-reduces-windows-10-enterprise-ltsc-support-to-5-years/

Not hardly a surprise these days is it? Just one more way M$ keeps on keeping on.

New and improved is always better though right?

 

They probably caught on to the fact that more people are starting to use LTSC to escape the crappy editions, and want to drag us back by crippling LTSC.

Microsoft: No! You don't get to have a fully functional enterprise grade OS on your system! Go back to using our consumer platforms!

 

I can't see many reasons jump on newer LTSC version. It's just a newer version with even more drawbacks

 

That is a foregone conclusion and the burden of proving otherwise is on the Kool-Aid drinking nitwits. The degradation of Windows 10 with any version "upgrade" is inevitable. There is never a compelling reason to move to newer version except when the Micro$lop Monkeys fabricate one by intentionally breaking functionality or similar dishonest arm-twisting shenanigans. Their stupid masochist two-pronged approach (genocide and Kamikaze) to OS development is pretty pathetic.

 

Win 10 failed hard. Near 5% less performance.
https://hwbot.org/submission/4636685_papusan_superpi___32m_core_i5_5200u_12min_25sec_280ms/


Win 8.1 and a new Gold on the bot.
https://hwbot.org/submission/4644222_papusan_superpi___32m_core_i5_5200u_11min_49sec_895ms/


Yeah, new has to be better Win 8.1 is a ugly OS but you can at least grab some Gold with the old.

 

Funnily enough, while benchmark scores have decreased, performance in games on average has increased a little in Windows 10 over Windows 8.

Windows 10 LTSC improves game performance further, and by a significant amount on CPU intensive games.

 

Hm wasn't aware of the gaming cpu benefit, have to try that out. I'm still using the win10 home that came with this laptop. If I install LTSC on here do I lose the win10 home version completely since there's no traditional key?

 

Not if you write the key for your home edition installation down first. You can always reinstall that later if you want, provided you record that key somewhere. You can find this key in Control Panel >> System And Security >> System. It will be under the section labelled Windows activation.

Here's a comparison of games running on Windows 10 Home vs Windows 10 Home LiteOS edition:


Check out the game performance section. It's pretty hard to find videos comparing LTSC to any other edition (surprise surprise), but the gains will be very similar to what you will see in this video. Mileage will vary with your hardware, but you can expect a significant improvement in framerates in any situation that is CPU bound provided you have a good GPU to begin with. GPU bound situations may also get a small boost.

 

So that would be the product ID then? Just have that number backed up and can use it to reinstall if needed at a later date?

 

Indeed.

Also, you can find the key using a utility like Magical Jellybean Key Finder.

Edit: Sorry, the product ID and product key are NOT the same. Use Magical Jellybean Key Finder or something similar to retrieve the actual key. The Product ID just tells you what kind of Windows edition you have installed.

 

Here is a link to Magical Jellybean Key Finder. It's a very useful tool: https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Your Windows product key will be under the section "CD Key".

 

Oh ok thanks for that I had already backed the PID up. Stupid they don't just use the dang stickers with a key but that's M$ style "improvements"(for M$, not the customer, anyways).