Windows 10 LTSC & Pro - Debloated with several enhancements

Hello guys. Due to the severe epidemic of bloatware and spyware sinking the performance of every Windows 10 installation, I have hereby created a basic essential bare bone version for both 2019 LTSC as well as Pro version. I am happy to share them both with you here. I have already shifted my own machines to these builds and so far so good! These builds further clean up Windows 10 LTSC and 100% debloat the Pro version along with these enhancements:

1. Telemetry for MS and all third parties including NVidia disabled.
2. "Allow Experimentation" has been disabled i.e., MS can no longer use your machine as a guinea pig!
   
3. All "cloud" services junk disabled and removed. Just OneDrive remains in Pro version in case some people want to use it but can be removed via add/remove programs with one click.
   
4. All driver updates via Windows updates have been permanently disabled.
5. All IE/Edge and related junk removed.
6. All Cortana and related junk disabled. Cortana removed.
7. All spying "services" removed.
8. All unnecessary background services have either been set to "Manual" or "Disabled" where necessary.
9. All targeted advertising disabled and sharing of Ad id with any apps disabled.
10. Added "Open command window here" and "Open powershell window here" options to the right click context menu that appear if you hold the SHIFT key down while right clicking on a folder.
11. Pro iso is version locked i.e., it will NOT get version jumps which means a lot less bugs and a clean gaming experience.
    
12. At the end of setup in both cases, you will still get the Microsoft spy menu asking you to enable all spyware but just toggle them all to off and continue and it will stay disabled.I am talking about this one below:

Important: Before you install any version, make sure that you keep a browser setup handy because there is no web browser included in either version due to no IE/Edge. So just prepare accordingly.

Known issues in LTSC version (very minor):
At first after boot, you will find that search in start menu does not work when you type. But this is a temporary side effect of removing Cortana and IE and it will resolve itself once you install network driver. After that, you can start using it normally and install any drivers that you want without getting interrupted by MS updates.

Some of the changes made apart from bloatware and pre-packaged junk removal are as shown below:




Windows 10 LTSC 2019 Basic Bare Bone:

Windows 10 LTSC Basic Bare Bone ISO:
Download link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z8XwC9j9neJkWbL_6Ynx3sTQpy_N6W1h/view?usp=sharing

Buy LTSC License key:
Link: https://www.gvgmall.com/windows-10-enterprise-ltsc-2019-cd-key-global.html?urd=TecnoTur


NEW: Windows 10 Pro Basic Bare Bone (Lets You Choose Your Own Release Version Via Windows Updates):

These include multiple ISOs for different base versions. The reason I am including different ISOs for different base versions now is that Windows does not honor registry and group policy restrictions against bloatware and as soon as you change the release version, the new build is installed along with all the default bloatware so you are back to square 1. The only way around is to have a debloated, version locked ISO for every individual build separately which I am going to provide here gradually. Below are all the ISOs available so far in this category:These have been debloated and have received all the privacy / update related mods and are version locked via the this provided registry script. What this script does is, it allows you to dictate exact target version for receiving windows updates so you can control exactly what build you want to upgrade to next, or if you want to upgrade at all. As long as you remain version locked to the current build, you will continue to receive updates for your build but will not receive newer builds via windows updates. You can download this script and edit via notepad if you want before merging, however it is advised that you don't download it and don't change the target build due to bloatware concerns with new releases via Windows Updates as described above.



Here are some screenshots from the fresh fully updated installation of one of these ISOs.










Windows 10 Pro build 1709 debloated (Customizable Build Release Version) ISO:
Download link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_hQRnuGYIzICvdYDqLWuKd4Uf03R2az6/view?usp=sharing

Key: You have to buy your own Windows 10 Pro key.

Windows 10 Pro build 2004 debloated (Customizable Build Release Version) ISO:
Download link: https://mega.nz/file/vnBjgYpJ#5H7xgD66GaXTWNaqzzGzqfSox3GIwc9ixYfrqffoVZE
.7z Archive password: FreeForAll

Key: You have to buy your own Windows 10 Pro key.

Windows 10 Pro build 2004 Gutted (Customizable Build Release Version) ISO:
Download link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DQCWVvufK-wihifOMMthMarlNCWUWi58/view?usp=sharing

This build has been brutally cleansed and every single piece of potentially unwanted component has been removed. If anything is required after installation, it can be easily added back from add/remove windows components but from my testing, this is pretty much what an average daily user and gamers will want on their machines. This build contains all the updates needed so you can ignore the "updates" that pop up because underlying components that those "updates" target have all been removed. The only updates you might be interested in are Windows Defender virus definition updates and that's it. The following components were removed:

FilePicker
Application Virtualization (App-V)
BranchCache Client
FileExplorer
AppResolverUX
Device Lockdown (Embedded Experience)
Work Folders Client
AddSuggestedFoldersToLibraryDialog
File Server Resource Manager
Camera Frame Server
Gaming Peripherals (Xbox GIP)
Hyper-V Guest
Isolated user mode (IUM)
AsyncTextService
CredDialogHost
ECApp
LockApp
StorePurchaseApp
VCLibs.140.00.UWPDesktop
VP9VideoExtensions
WebMediaExtensions
WebpImageExtension
Win32WebViewHost
AssignedAccessLockApp
CallingShellApp
CapturePicker
Content Delivery Manager
NarratorQuickStart
OOBENetworkCaptivePortal
OOBENetworkConnectionFlow
PinningConfirmationDialog
SecureAssessmentBrowser
XGpuEjectDialog
MultiPoint Connector
NcsiUwpApp
Share Media Control Panel
User Experience Virtualization (UE-V)
Webcam Experience

Automatic Windows updates have been disabled on the gutted build by default and both "Update Orchestrator Service" and "Windows Update" services have also been disabled by default. There are additional third party tools included in the image so you can take full control of Windows Updates process. The tools provided include Wu10Man (Turns windows updates on and off such that Windows cannot override the settings), WAU Manager (allows you to install selected updates and hide the ones you don't want, and WindowsUpdateHideTool by Microsoft in case you want to avoid using third party softwares and want to stick to MS updates.

The trick in this case would be to disable Update Orchestrator service and enable Windows Update service while checking for updates to hide using MS WindowsUpdateHideTool so that Windows cannot install any updates in the background even if they get downloaded. Once you hide your required updates, you can enable Update Orchestrator service again to check and install other updates of choice.
IMPORTANT: First thing to do after installation is to HIDE KB4023057 from Windows Update Hide Tool or WU Manager. Do this so that Microslop's "Update Health Tools" malware does not hijack your machine again to unload all the bloatware and crapware back.

Known issue in v2004 gutted: If the setup gets stuck for more than 2 minutes at the blue spinner screen then simply reboot the computer via hard reset and setup will resume as per normal. This happens rarely but is fixed upon reboot.

Key: You have to buy your own Windows 10 Pro key.



Basic Redistributable package (Contains ALL DirectX updates to date + all VC redistributables):
Download link for archive: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12scg09_torNZxzzcpyzcog58TYHD0T0W/view?usp=sharing





Note: There have been no "Additions" made to these builds in case someone is expecting some sort of piracy. These are stock builds which have been repackaged with a customized group policy settings pack and modification to services start/stop section in addition to bloatware removal. You will have to buy a license yourself in both cases. I have shared them as some of my respected senior friends in the forum liked the performance bump they observed, which might be of interest to all you gamers out there.


All my work is available for free. If it helps you out by improving your gaming/daily usage experience then consider making a donation.

 

Thanks, bro. The LTSC mod is working well.

 

I'm giving this a shot on one of my machines as an alternative to the bloated version of Windows 10 Pro. If it's a workstation, needs to be efficient with whatever runs in the background every time.

 

Thanks for your work. As from my testing I get better Wprime 32/1024M results from Pro over LTSC with the old test machine. But still can't compete with the old 1511/1709 or Win 7 And it would be nice if you could add in .net 3.5 into the mod ISO's Keep up the nice work. Reps added.

As a reminder. KB4566782 is implemented. Maybe use another patch. Also Flash player should be removed.

Adobe Flash Player End of Life
Windows 10 KB4565351 and KB4566782 are causing...

 

If you have a suggested basic ISO to work from, you can share that. I will trim it down accordingly and release limit it so Windows Updates can't ruin it in terms of performance beyond a certain point. Suggestions like this one are also welcome. I personally kept it very minimal in terms of mods and stuff because there is a weird bug in Windows where if you make too many changes into the base image, it miraculously transforms itself from PRO to ENTERPRISE and there is no way you can revert it back to PRO. I still couldn't figure out exactly what single change in the ISO caused this jump but it's there. Sounds silly but hey, nothing surprises me when it comes to Windows.

 

Would be nice if you could try this one. Remember add in .net 3.5
https://software-download.microsoft...1615185199&h=995ef0d48034b1a67a72ea7cc88b5c6d

I will try beat this one... I may need Win XP or an unlocked bios to take 1th. But 2nd is within reach
https://hwbot.org/submission/4694979_papusan_wprime___32m_core_i5_2430m_17sec_198ms


Thanks

Edit. Too much changes and much will break in Win 10. You risk even worse performance. Win 10 is a huge piece of trash.

 

What I have now done is, I have taken a 1709 clean base image, debloated it along with all the usual privacy and driver update mods, and put a controlling registry key in registry which will basically give control to the user about what build they want Windows Updates to take them to. E.g., this PRO ISO is on build 1709 by default. As long as the user does not make changes in the script and merges it into registry, Windows Updates will NOT move away from build 1709! So what that means is, now it's in your hands to decide what build version do you want to jump on to next, if any. I have tested the ISO on multiple machines and it is working as desired. The key is to change the registry accordingly in case you want to jump on to another build which is different from 1709 and then restart your machine followed by Windows Updates. Also, added .NET 3.5 support. Updating the first post accordingly now.


Edit: I have locked the versions in the above provided PRO iso files because for obvious reasons, Windows does NOT honor registry and group policy settings while upgrading to a newer build version and downloads all the default garbage bloatware again as you move onto the new build. This makes it kind of pointless to debloat as you have to do it all over again. A more feasible solution seems like having individual version ISO files available that are all version locked i.e., Windows cannot push a major build upgrade on your machine unless you allow it to. Adding more version ISOs in the thread. Already added v2004 and will shortly add v1511. My suggestion is, download the one that you want and then stick to that build via the provided script. If you change the target build number, chances are that Windows Updates will ruin your clean machine once again with bloatware.

 

Main post updated. Windows 10 Pro ISOs based on v1709 and v2004 are now available for download. Enjoy folks!

 

Here's the results from 1709. Still not good enough to beat my best score as my post below. But closer


The custom 1709 is a lot better than this mess below with 1909. I mean this Win 10 version is one of the worst from Microsoft for this old laptop.

 

I can put out a 1909 build too once I am done with 1511. 1511 is functional but the only catch is that it does not honor any registry or group policy restrictions when it comes to drivers and restricting other release versions via windows updates. MS was REALLY sneaky back then. What a shame that they provide user control mechanisms via group policy and registry and still do not honor them.

 

Not sure everyday users should be using such stripped down versions as they will not get official support from Windows Support should they request it. I installed Windows 10x63 Pro with some Tweakui and OldNewExplore to make it more Windows 7 look and have no issue using that setup without any stripped down version. For most users unless your testing or extreme tweaker this would suffice but the majority shouldn't use this as it can affect other software they install that will use Windows O/S file system. That is why unless your testing or Extreme Savvy user that most everyday users should stay away from such builds if they want Official support for their O/S. And remember when you purchase Windows Retail or OEM build we all agreed to Microsoft EULA agreements so if problem should happen it becomes those created builds other then Official Microsoft build to support those users to Diagnosis and repair system issues. And I doubt they will have the long hours to give support if doing so. So This should be informed to all such custom Build users this is "USE AT YOUR OWN RISK".

 

I get your "USE AT YOUR OWN RISK" disclaimer suggestion, but I think most people who want to use this build are doing so so they can say screw MS and their offical "support".

IMO, of course.

 

Whoever requests for "support" from Microsoft shouldn't even be in this thread. These builds are not for obedient slaves of Gates.

 

Please avoid such talk in this topic!

The premiss here is simple! Don't want to use it? Then don't ! Easy! just avoid this talk here since no one is here because they need "microsoft support"

End of offtopic

 

LOL! You think people who need M!cr0$h4ft support would even click on such threads?! The guy is doing the community a huge favor! We are all aware what a custom ISO is, no one is forcing you to use it or heck even click on this thread!

 

Added Windows 10 Pro v2004 GUTTED version. That's because it has really been gutted to make it as minimalist as possible and the performance bump is significant. A list of components removed has been provided but they can all be added back if needed from add/remove windows components later so you won't be stuck. Also, added some third party tools for windows update management within the installation itself.

 

Then users doing such builds should make a Disclaimer that they will not support users whom should have issue using such builds. And love how people talk about big words " These builds are not for obedient slaves of Gates." But the sad reality is they wouldn't still be using MS-DOS or PC-DOS for everyday application. So talk all big but reality is without those O/S company you wouldn't be able to do what your replying on these forums. Also you didn't create O/S but yet you still want credit for your custom builds...How Ironic...

 

Did you ever say anything useful on these forums?

 

You know, it just occurred to me. I've only been using "PC"s since the Win95 days (been a Commodore/Mac user before that). Never once have I needed to contact Microsoft support. And I'm a comparative idiot when it comes to making computers work

 

You should not comment in this thread. You are most welcome to install a hundred + spyware services in your machine and willingly act as a muppet of MS. And don't forget to upgrade your hardware every 6 months as it gets bogged down by bloatware again. I hope now that you've been shown the mirror, you would stop commenting here out of sheer self respect, that is, if you have any.

 

Appreciating any concern. But the average, 'normal' windows users will come across \ read \ understand, this topic as often \ as well as my dog will. What to speak of download \ install any ISO. So, zero risk of lack of support, neither for the dog nor anyone else. Keep up the good work.

 

Yeah this is for those who would do pretty much anything other than contact M$ for help, you'd probably get reinstall, restart and a bunch of generic support links from them, nothing more. It's implicit to use custom OS, or custom anything, at your own risk, it's not even that big of risk, anyone doing this is perfectly capable of just going back to what they had before and doesn't need babysitting.

 

@S.K So I installed the 2004 Iso in the debloated version and it was all good - until I wanted to remote into a few virtual machines
No dice there as the windows remote options seem to be missing completely, I hope it is not too difficult to bring them back?

 

You can add the missing stuff back up via add/remove windows components, although I would advise you to use VNC instead of default Windows remote desktop as it is more robust and does not require a whole bunch of MS services running in the background all the time.

 

I have tried VNC and find it too slow for my taste, maybe at a later point.

Where can I find add/remove windows components?
I am looking at Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features but there is no such option nor does windows search bring up any hits.

 

Search for "Manage Optional Features" in start menu. However I'd strongly suggest to not unnecessarily bloat up your windows installation. You can use NoMachine or AnyDesk as a good solid alternative. Team Viewer is also an option but it's upto you. For LAN, I think NoMachine is the king.

 

Are there any advantages in the LTSC 2019 over the 1809 version of LTSC? Ive been running a debloated 1809 version for quite some time, and found it to be somewhat palatable.

 

LTSC 2019 can be updated with security/ bug fix patches if this is something you need/want. You can download them forwards as standalone patches and install it later (Of course with network disabled ) when you see there is no major problem with them.

 

So....Nothing then. Microsoft's so called "security" patches are more like telemetry patches (updates).

 

LTSC is probably the most secure Win 10 OS regarding telemetry (This OS isn't meant for consumers).

But yeah, you can't be 100% sure what they'll put into their patches. At least you have some sorts of control yourself and you won't being forced on unwanted feature/driver or obscure patches by Microsoft.


Yoo can use whatever Win 10 version if you close the door and don't need security patches. Only make a Macrium as backup if something happens.

 

Thank you for all the work on the custom builds. Sent you a cuppa.

 

Glad you like it.

 

Pretty smooth LTSC version, thanks for your work !
The only problem i'm facing right now appears when i try to add my hotmail account to outlook. It always fails and it seems related to the windows sign in service (the other mails -gmail and imap) have no problem because they don't rely on that.
What feature do i have to activate in windows to fix that ?

 

All MS cloud bloatware has been purposefully removed. If you want to add that, you'll have to add OneDrive and many other cloud services and then it'll no longer be as smooth so the purpose of the build will be defeated. I suggest that you manage without it, but if you can't then you can add OneDrive and other cloud services back from Optional Features.

 

Sleep and Hibernate don't seem to work in this build. They just make the screen go black for a few seconds when selected, and then the desktop pops back up.

I somehow borked my install and will have to do a reinstallation. Do you know why Sleep and Hibernate don't work? Has something been disabled that affects their function?

 

They work perfectly fine as I am currently using these builds on my setup. Make sure that all your intel chipset drivers and MEI drivers are properly installed otherwise it won't work right. You can download all the drivers that I am using for my x170sm-g (stable only, I don't care about latest) from this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OWCPd4GPfjJ6nvt0pAM_JHSlq0VxtAj8/view?usp=sharing

 

@S.K
Any chance you have that 1909 version available yet?

Thanks for your work!

 

Nope, it is not in the works. I found that version 2004 was just as snappy so I dropped 1909 from release candidates.

 

No worries! Thanks!

 

If

I will add. If you do feel like ever uploading, myself and many others would appreciate it!

The reason being is that zen3 processors are able to achieve higher fclk frequencies with 1909 vs 2004/2009 and it would be awesome to have a stripped version of it!

Thanks again!

 

Damn nice. Microsoft even crippled performance for the newest AMD chips. I wonder how it will pan out with Win 10 21H1 or 21H2 bro @Mr. Fox None will be spared from this sickness trend.

 

It won't turn out well with losers at the helm. It never does. The leaders of the tech industry have totally lost their marbles. Unfortunately, that brain-dead leadership problem isn't limited to technology and there are bigger fish that need to be fried right now.

 

hey !

thanks for your windows LTSC build. Is it based on the latest version ?

Also, do you know if the version works in a home network ?

I am having problems running windows LTSC on a network out of the box.

 

It works fine on a home network. I actually have far more connectivity issues with newer version of Windows 10 connecting to shared drives on other computers than I do with LTSC, older versions of Windows 10 and Windows 7.

What sort of problems are you experiencing?

 

Sure, I can create one if you guys need it. Feel free to provide me a base ISO of your choice here which I can use to build upon.

It would be nice if you could give out details of the issue that you are facing. So far there are no known glitches/flaws in this build that came to my knowledge based on my own testing and haven't received any complaints from other tester volunteers either.

 

An interesting find I made today: my Cinebench R15 score is actually lower in your modded version of LTSC vs stock LTSC.


The 928 score is from a run on debloated LTSC and the 954 score is on stock LTSC. Both runs were made with the exact same environments (base OS, no other programs installed, no 3rd party antivirus, dedicated graphics drivers installed, only Intel XTU running in the background). I repeated the runs 3 times on both OSes and the results were more or less the same.

Can anyone else reproduce this?

 

Disable all sorts of services or tasks can often provide worse bench results. Even if everything seems to works ok, something can break with a custom OS. Try same tests also with the custom Pro vs. standard Pro OS.

Have you also tested both OS setups but with different hardware?

 

I haven't tried this test on different hardware yet, just on my desktop so far.

 

My results are quite the opposite. Are your results consistent? Also, make sure that they are in a physical machine and not in a VM. Also, depends upon what updates you have installed in both cases. There are many variables involved. Your cinebench scores are within margin of error of each other anyway.

 

I ran both sets of tests on the same machine with what I believed to be the exact same conditions. They were done on the same hardware on a physical machine, both with a clean install of their respective versions of Windows. The results are consistent. I did multiple runs on both installs, and the results on stock LTSC were on average 20 to 30 points higher.

I should try on a different machine since this one might just be an anomaly. Hardware has a habit of being weird. I can definitely attest to that since my Ranger and my desktop get significantly better framerates in some games than the 2018 model Cyberpower Tracer III laptop in my possession, despite the newer laptop having more powerful hardware.