LTSB means a long-term servicing branch. This edition receives only security updates but no feature updates. Operating System (OS) upgrades are released sometimes, once every three years. 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.
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 Account, it did not properly work (support) AssignedAccess (Kiosk Mode). 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.
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.
Semi-Annual Channel (SAC): 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.
What is LTSC
In theory, LTSB is an edition of Windows 10 Enterprise with the emphasis on having the longest intervals between feature upgrades of any version of the operating system.
Therefore, LTSC does so only every two or three years. That means fewer changes during a set timeline, a less-involved upgrade effort, and fewer disruptions as well as fewer possibilities for applications breaking because of a modification of the OS
What to note about LTSC (LTSB retired)
– Windows 10 LTSB does receive the usual monthly security updates.
– The twice-annual feature upgrades delivered to other channels will not be offered to LTSB systems.
– 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).
– Each LTSB 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 equal 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.
Drawback of LTSC:
There might be limitations while working with LTSC, due to the fact, it is not regularly updated. This differs from one OS version to another version.
I hope you found this blog post helpful. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session.