Not everyone likes standard Windows 10. Many are confused by the overload of the operating system with services, as well as the presence of telemetry built into the launch of advertising and a large number of rarely used applications from Microsoft that are difficult to remove. Therefore, a special version of Windows 10 with the subtitle LTSC, which stands for Long Term Servicing Channel, is popular. This is a lightweight corporate version, from which many services and tiled functionality are cut, and updates come only once every 2-3 years and only large ones.
We decided to figure out how advisable it is to abandon the standard Windows 10 in favor of the light version of LTSC.
Windows 10 LTSC not available for home use
This is the main thing to know. LTSC – corporate version. To install it, you need to purchase a key with registration for your company. This can be done through Microsoft’s reseller partners. There are no other legal ways to purchase and install Windows 10 LTSC. But you can try registering your primary computer as a work computer, even if it is in your home. However, keep in mind that corporate versions of Windows are more expensive than home ones.
In addition, there is a 90-day trial version . However, it cannot be renewed with an activation key.
Windows 10 LTSC takes up the same space as Home edition
Both Windows 10 LTSC and Windows 10 Home take about 10 gigabytes of system storage right after installation. For comparison: Windows 10 Pro is about 12 gigabytes in size. So the difference between all versions of the “Ten” in this regard is minimal and the installation of the LTSC edition will not save space.
Windows 10 LTSC loads the system less
The processor load is practically the same in everyday tasks, although the services and background applications in the LTSC version are noticeably less. But on the other hand, the RAM is used up to 1 gigabyte less. The latter can be useful for systems with 4 gigabytes of RAM or less.
Windows 10 LTSC has less telemetry
But it still exists. And it turns off in the same way as in the standard version of the operating system – through the “Privacy” menu in the parameters.
Windows 10 LTSC has many minor flaws
This version is not prioritized by Microsoft. In the interfaces, you can find many references to UWP applications, some functions remain, but do not work. For many types of files, you have to assign third-party applications to open. For example, even images in the LTSC version cannot be opened by standard means.
In games, there is almost no difference between the standard version and Windows 10 LTSC
A significant difference sometimes occurs in old games, but in almost all modern games it is within 1-2%. Except that by saving about 1 gigabyte of RAM on systems with an acute lack of memory, there can be a greater gain. But among modern games, there are very few of those that need 4 or less gigabytes of RAM – except CS: GO, World of Tanks and other long-lived online projects.
Windows 10 LTSC is updated much less frequently
For many, this is the main reason for moving to the lightweight enterprise version. The LTSC edition is updated only once every 2-3 years, immediately with major updates. This means that new updates will rarely distract from work, and not almost every week, as in the regular version.
Windows 10 LTSC gets new functionality with a long delay
Once or twice a year, Microsoft rolls out a major update to the main version of Windows 10. This often affects even the visual component: interfaces are refined, the layout is improved, and other conveniences appear. In addition, they often contain interesting new functionality such as a game mode, monitoring the status of components or reworking standard applications (for example, an extended version of a notebook or Paint 3D).
Since the LTSC version is updated only once every 2-3 years, it receives new functionality with a delay of at least a year.
Thus, having collected all the important facts, we can draw a certain conclusion. Windows 10 LTSC, of the advantages over the standard versions, has only a lower RAM consumption (up to 1 GB), which can be useful only for systems with insufficient RAM (4 GB or less). In games, there is usually no significant difference in performance. Otherwise, the LTSC edition has many drawbacks: the complexity and high cost of purchasing for home use, a lot of minor flaws in the interfaces, and a large delay in new functionality from the main version. Based on all this, we would NOT recommend installing Windows 10 LTSC to most users.
