Great news for embedded and IoT solution providers! The wait for Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 is over. This long-awaited update brings the benefits of Windows 11 to your devices. While the standard Windows 11 launched in late 2021, the IoT LTSC version wasn’t available then. Some users have been using Windows 11 Pro or the General Availability Channel (GAC) edition of Windows 11 IoT Enterprise to bridge the gap. However, these versions lack features crucial for long-term stability in application-specific products with extended lifecycles. To showcase the advantages of Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024, we’ve compiled a top 11 reasons list highlighting its benefits over Pro and GAC versions.
Countdown to the Top 11 Benefits of Windows 11 IoT LTSC 2024 over Pro and GAC Versions
#11 – Long Lifecycle Product Availability for Ten Years
The IoT LTSC versions of Windows 11 offer a 10-year lifecycle, providing ten years of availability for purchase and resale. This long-term availability allows for reliable planning for the lifespan of your appliances. Keep in mind that the Windows 11 Pro edition will reach its end of life shortly after the subsequent release, which is expected to be Windows 12 Pro around 2025.
#10 – Regulatory compliance Healthcare, Gaming, and Aerospace Industries
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC goes beyond the capabilities of Windows 11 Pro, specifically catering to compliance needs in industries like healthcare, gaming, automotive, and aerospace. It achieves this by providing unique features and certifications that ensure adherence to strict regulatory standards in these sectors. Building upon the foundation of the Windows 11 Enterprise edition, IoT Enterprise LTSC offers enhanced features that address these critical compliance requirements.
#9 – Enhanced System Performance for Resource-Constrained Embedded Applications
LTSC versions of Windows enhance system performance and efficiency by removing unnecessary features and background processes, which is vital for resource-constrained embedded devices. The operating system excludes many consumer applications like Xbox, Weather, News, and the Store. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise includes removable packages to facilitate streamlined custom installations. In contrast, Windows 11 Pro restricts the removal or control of specific components.
#8 – Reduced Maintenance with Quality/Security-Related Updates only
LTSC versions benefit from minimal feature updates and modifications, reducing maintenance needs and lowering the risk of compatibility issues, helping to decrease downtime and total cost of ownership (TCO) for devices. You will receive only quality updates, which consist of security patches and hotfixes to ensure ongoing reliability and compatibility.
In contrast, Windows 11 Pro mandates Windows Updates and pushes users to upgrade to newer builds with additional features, which can compromise system stability and necessitate ongoing testing for updated operating systems.
#7 – Compatibility with Legacy Applications
The Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 is built on the full Windows 11 platform, ensuring high compatibility with any application running on other Windows 11 editions. LTSC versions focus on maintaining compatibility with legacy applications and hardware, allowing older software and peripherals to function seamlessly without compatibility problems.
#6 – Enhanced Security with Device Guard & BitLocker
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC offers enhanced security features, including Device Guard, Credential Guard, and BitLocker encryption, providing robust protection against malware, data breaches, and unauthorized access. In comparison, Windows 11 Pro has more limited security options.
# 5 – Optional Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and Secure Boot
Windows 11 Pro requires secure boot and a TPM 2.0 module. However, with Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024, you have the option to enable or disable these features. Although using both secure boot and a TPM module is advisable, the LTSC 2024 edition gives you the option.
#4 – Additional Customization and Lockdown Features
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 offers extensive customization and lockdown capabilities, enabling OEMs to fine-tune the operating system according to specific device needs and control access to certain features or applications. This edition provides a broader range of lockdown features than Windows 11 Pro.
#3 – Full Re-Imaging Rights with Full Recovery Media Options
Most people are unaware that Windows 11 Professional has strict limitations on re-imaging rights. This restriction prevents OEMs and resellers from altering the factory image by adding extra software applications or custom configurations and then creating a completely new image. Although end users have the right to do this, OEMs and resellers with 11 Pro are prohibited.
On the other hand, Windows IoT products grant OEMs the ability to develop an entirely new, highly customized image that includes additional software applications. OEMs can also create a recovery image that can restore the device to its factory settings with all customizations and applications intact.
#2 – Performance-Based Pricing
The pricing for Windows IoT products depends on the performance of the device’s processor, enabling OEMs to acquire a full Windows operating system license at a substantial discount for smaller-footprint devices. In contrast, Windows 11 Pro is available at a fixed price regardless of the processor used.
#1 – Ten Years of Extended Support for Extra Long Security and Lifecycle Support
LTSC versions of Windows 11 offer ten years of extended support and stability, delivering updates and security patches over a longer time than standard Windows editions. In contrast, Windows 11 Pro receives two years of support for each build version.
Table 1 – The table compares the features of the last three LTSC versions released. For devices requiring long-term stability and an extended lifecycle, we recommend considering Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024, which offers support until 2034.
Summary
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 delivers a stable, secure, and customizable platform for embedded systems and IoT devices. It offers long-term support and specialized features designed to meet the unique requirements of various industry verticals.
Reach out to us for guidance on choosing the right OS version for your application by emailing windowsiot@arrow.com or clicking the link below.
