Windows Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC)

What is Windows LTSC Build?

The Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) is designed for Windows 10 devices and use cases where the key requirement is that functionality and features of windows operating system do not change over time.

These devices share characteristics of embedded systems. These systems are designed for a specific purpose and are developed and tested for these specific devices. They are treated as a whole system and are, therefore, commonly “upgraded” by building and validating a new system.

LTSC was designed with these types of use cases in mind, offering the promise that Microsoft will support each LTSC release for 10 years–and that features, and functionality will not change over the course of that 10-year lifecycle.

Current version of LTSC 21H2 will be in mainstream support until 12th of January 2027 with the extended support up to 13th of January 2032.

What is the difference between LTSC and Regular Windows?

A LTSC release is created approximately every three years, and each release contains all the new capabilities and support included in the Windows 10 features updates that have been released since the previous LTSC release. Unlike the year-and-month terminology employed to describe Windows 10 features updates (e.g., 1703 or 1809), LTSC releases are named with a specific year, such as Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2016 or Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019.

Each LTSC release receives 10 years of servicing and support. During the life of a LTSC release, you can upgrade your devices to the next or latest LTSC release free of charge using an in-place upgrade, or to any currently supported release of Windows 10.

Is my LTSC updating?

LTSC devices still receive regular quality and security updates to ensure that device security stays up to date.

When is the new version of LTSC coming out?

Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC is scheduled for the second half of 2024 and will thus be based on Windows 11 version 24H2.

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