Do you have Windows 10 LTSB installed?
Do you have Windows 10 LTSB installed?
I recently discovered the LTSB edition and am considering moving from Win7u. Would anyone be using it, and does your Windows 10 setup feel more suitable?
I've been using Windows 10 since the start of the Insider Preview, right after its release. It has gone through some ups and downs, but the 1607 Anniversary update has really improved my experience.
They were focusing on the LTSB edition specifically, not the standard consumer version. The LTSB is distinct from regular or professional Windows 10 versions because it contains only essential updates and no unnecessary features.
It resembles the way older Windows releases functioned. You receive security patches and bug fixes, but no new capabilities. Similar to how adding Aero required upgrading from XP to Vista. With standard Windows 10, that's irrelevant because Windows 10 is the final version; you still get updates and fixes, plus new features. In LTSB you mainly receive security updates and bug fixes. Once Microsoft feels ready (after extensive fixing work), they'll move the LTSB to the current branch and keep only updates until a new release is planned. I’d think it’s comparable to the transition from 8 to 8.1.
I've configured two boxes using LTSB, and one challenge you'll encounter is consumer-focused software—applications and games—that rely on current branches. These might face problems due to missing features or complete failures, like the Anniversary Update being a significant service patch. Many games actually needed Windows 10 Anniversary Update for crucial performance improvements in DirectX and memory handling—there could be additional tweaks tailored for consumer apps as well. There are fewer crashes with pre-Win10 software, but older versions of Windows 10 still have more glitches, so you're choosing between cutting-edge features and a more stable but slower experience. I’d only suggest the long-term path if you work with older software and drivers, audio tools like Pro Tools that take a long time to get certified across OSes/patches, or hobbyist programs. Personally, I can’t rely on Windows 10 for technical tasks since both sides of support have their own unique issues.
I run a Core 2 Quad with dual-boot, supporting Vista 32-bit and Windows 8.1 64-bit. My setup uses a COM/Serial port for chip programming and debugging. Upgrading to Windows 10 caused issues with some tools, while Vista 32-bit performed better with XP-era applications. My primary workstation also boots into Linux, Win7 Pro, and 10, though I mostly stick to Linux unless a specific toolkit needs 32-bit Windows or compatibility with Windows 7/8.