Windows 10 LTSC: 4 pros and 5 cons of using it on your home PC

The LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) version is popular with some Windows 10 users. Previously, Microsoft called it LTSB (Long-Term Servicing Branch).

Fans admire this build and look at Windows 10 Home and Pro edition owners with sympathy. After all, in LTSC, according to their assurances, there are no ads, no Candy Crush Saga, it works fast, does not spy on users, and updates in it are rare and unobtrusive.

However, is it really that good? Here are some pros and cons of Windows 10 LTSC to help you make the right choice.

Pros of Windows 10 LTSC

1. No annoying built-in apps

Windows 10 Home and Professional editions have enough unnecessary programs and advertising. These are Cortana, "3D Viewer", "Camera", "Alarms and Clocks", "People" and other universal applications that would look good on tablets, but on desktops they are almost useless.

Windows 10 LTSC is missing Universal Apps, Cortana, OneDrive, Microsoft Edge, Gaming mode "and Windows Ink Workspace, so that you do not have to clean the system from garbage for a long time after installation. Only the required minimum of functions.

2. Works a little faster

Due to the lack of unnecessary programs, Windows 10 LTSC works faster even on fairly old hardware. Although in terms of speed it is far from Windows 7 and even more so Linux.

Therefore, such a system is often chosen by the owners of not the newest computers. Where a freshly installed Windows 10 Home or Pro will squeak and squeak when installing app updates from the Microsoft Store, the long-supported version will run slightly faster. You can't argue with that.

3. Takes up less disk space

In addition, Windows 10 LTSC takes up slightly less disk space than the Pro version of the system. This can be useful if you desperately need to install Windows on a computer with a small amount of internal memory - for example, a Chinese laptop with a 64GB eMMC drive.

In addition, subjectively, LTSC works better with HDDs. Installing Windows 10 Home or Pro not on an SSD is a pain. And LTSC is quite capable of working on an old hard drive.

4. Less distraction with updates

Windows 10 LTSB rarely receives global updates, only security patches. Since practically no new chips are added to it, the update process is faster, even on old computers with HDD. Therefore, the owners of such a system spend less time waiting in front of the screen "Please wait, the update is being installed."

Cons of Windows 10 LTSC

1. Telemetry is still there

Many users naively believe that by installing the LTSC version, they will deprive Microsoft of the ability to collect telemetry from their computers. Now, it’s not like that. The corporation is watching you, even if you are running Windows 10 with long-term support.

And even if an advanced user sets the AllowTelemetry parameter to 0 in the policy editor, he will not disable data collection, but only switch it toConfigure Windows diagnostic data in your organization Security level. That is, Microsoft will receive information about your PC, but in a slightly smaller amount.

2. The system is vulnerable

Windows 10 users traditionally do not like updates and try by hook or by crook disable. LTSC receives few updates, only security patches - that's why it's loved.

However, how approves Microsoft itself, new protection and bug fixes are installed on LTSC versions of Windows 10 later than on other editions of the operating system.

LTSC fixes bugs and bugs later than other editions of Windows 10.

Therefore, when another hole is found in Windows 10 and Microsoft releases an urgent security update, it will be the last thing to reach users of LTSC versions.

3. The system does not support new functions

Due to the fact that the LTSC version is rarely updated, its owners have to wait a long time for the appearance of those features that Windows 10 Home or Pro already have. For example, interface improvements and fixes,

This applies not only to software capabilities, but also to hardware. how admits Microsoft itself, LTSC does not keep up with new generations of processors, so some features of new generations of chips are not implemented in it. So if you've built a cool gaming PC and want to squeeze all the performance out of it, Windows 10 LTSC is definitely not for you.

4. There is no Microsoft Store here

Despite the fact that there are not many useful programs in the Microsoft Store, they are still there, and sometimes you want to install them. In addition, there are quite a few games available by subscription in this store. Xbox Game Pass for PC. But LTSC users will be deprived of all this goodness. A trifle, but unpleasant.

In addition, from January 2020 on the LTSC version of Windows not supported Microsoft Office 365.

If you need Microsoft programs or games, then LTSC is not suitable.

5. The system cannot be used legally

Unfortunately, you can't legally install Windows 10 LTSC on your home computer. You can only use it in trial mode within 90 days, and then - only piracy.

A license for this version can only be purchased by individual entrepreneurs, and it is expensive. And the keys that are sold on various sites on the Internet do not make the system legal, even if somehow obtained by a reseller from Microsoft itself.

Corporation allows install the system only in organizations, on computers connected to a production or medical equipment, as well as things such as ATMs or ticketing systems in airports. There is no legal way to install LTSC at home.

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So, as you can see, LTSC is not the best choice for home users. Therefore, if you need a system for a new computer, your choice is Windows 10 Home or Pro, and on older systems it is better to switch to some Linux. Leave LTSC to the owners of the devices for which Microsoft developed it.