This article discusses the difference between “Long Term Servicing Branch vs Semi-Annual Channel”. The long-term servicing channel was previously called the long-term servicing branch (LTSB). This edition receives only security updates but no feature updates. Operating System (OS) upgrades are released sometimes, once every three years. Please see Various ways to copy files from host to VMware Workstation VM, and Prevent Local Administrators from managing BitLocker with the manage-bde command.

This edition is meant for exclusive systems that perform a single important task such as PCs that control medical equipment, point-of-sale systems, and ATMs.

Long Term Servicing Branch

New LTSC releases 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. Please see this article on what is new for LTSC.

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. They align to perpetual Office releases such as Office 2019.

You may encounter limitations while working with LTSC, due to the fact, it is not regularly updated. Recently, while testing Kiosk Mode with Local And Domain Accounts, it did not properly work (support) AssignedAccess (Kiosk Mode).

To deliver on the commitment of no changes to features or functionality. A Windows 10 LTSC release does not contain any of the components of Windows 10 that may change over the life of the release.

These components include Microsoft Edge (as a modern browser, it is constantly evolving to support the current modern browser web standards) as well as components/applications regularly updated via the Microsoft Store, such as Camera, Cortana, OneNote, and other modern apps that continue to advance with innovative improvements.

Internet Explorer is included in Windows 10 LTSC releases as its feature set is not changing. Even though it will continue to get security fixes for the life of a Windows 10 LTSC release.

Drawback of LTSC

The primary aim of Long-term Servicing Branch (LTSC) for Windows 10 was for Organisations to avoid the frequent Microsoft’s Windows-as-a-service model and delay frequent feature updates.

The Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) is designed for Windows 10 devices whose features don’t change over time. There might be limitations while working with LTSC. This is due to the fact, that it is not regularly updated based on Features. This differs from one OS version to another version.

Due to the limitations, it is clear that Microsoft’s Windows 10 LTSC is more for machine control, telephone systems, and embedded systems in ATMs or kiosks and not for everyday use in the office.

Also, see Set up and use an upstream branch in Git, and How to enable Smart App Control on Windows 11. See How to enable Smart App Control on Windows 11.

Semi-Annual Channel

This is a different serving model and an alternative to LTSC as it pushes new features for the Windows OS in a six-month regular cycle. SAC devices receive two feature updates per year and this results in improved performance, user experience, and security.

Windows 10 devices in the Semi-Annual Channel receive twice-yearly feature updates as mentioned above. Once in the spring and once in the fall. These updates contain new features, services, and other major changes. Security updates, optimizations, and other minor updates or patches are released every month thereafter.

See How to fix Windows cannot find the Microsoft software license terms, and how to fix “Git config –global init.defaultBranch: Error cannot lock“.

What to note about LTSC (LTSB retired)

1: Windows 10 LTSB does receive the usual monthly security updates.
2: The twice-annual feature upgrades delivered to other channels will not be offered to LTSB systems.

3: Microsoft upgrades the LTSB “build” every two to three years. Those upgrades, however, are optional, or at least optional to some degree (more on that later).

4: Each LTSC build is supported with security updates for a decade. The same 10-year lifespan Microsoft has designated and maintained for ages. The decade is split into two halves: “Mainstream” support for the first five years, “Extended” for the second.

For Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB, Mainstream support ends in October 2021 and Extended stops in October 2026.

I hope you found this blog post on Long Term Servicing Branch vs Semi-Annual Channel helpful. Please let me know in the comment session if you have any questions.