[fireman15]

This piece, like pretty much everything else that is written about Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC does not quite get it. The official explanation is this, “The core is built on the full Windows 10 Enterprise platform, specifically version 21H2, providing the same robust foundation as the standard Enterprise edition but optimized for IoT and embedded use cases.” But what does this actually mean?

It means that it is a stripped-down version of Windows 10 21H2. The latest version of Windows 10 is 22H2. There are essentially no differences between 21H2 and 22H2 that any normal user will notice. But there are many features and a whole lot of crap that is left out as compared to Windows 11 Pro. The first three installations that I did, were done completely clean from the original ISO file. I added the features that I wanted included by using PowerDesk scripts. This worked fine and if you are someone who doesn't mind getting into the nuts and bolts of the Windows or Linux operating systems... it is probably the best way to go in many cases.

A clean install is also the only way that most users know how to get Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC. The normal install routine will not allow you to add it to an already installed Windows 10 installation. But I found out with a very minor edits to the Windows 10 registry using Regedit and it installs without any real problem other than it takes longer than doing a clean install.

The following is how I have installed Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC on the last two Windows 10 computers that I want to continue getting security updates for after October 14. This creates a sytem that is virtuatlly indestinguishable to most users from the Windows 10 installation that you currently have on your computer. I am not associated with anyone involved in this including the sometimes shady operators who sell license keys. I would use Paypal or a “virtual credit card” to pay for it even with the place I have purchased a lot of them from over the years... Gamers-Outlet. I should mention that Gamers-Outlet always has disount codes available, so this “project” costs right around $21.

I obviously do not offer any guarantees that Micorosoft will not pull something to put an end to this workaround to prevent being forced to upgrade to Windows 11. The other issue will be that as the deadline gets closer the demand and about a billion computers will be put at risk, the demand for license keys for this will no doubt increase despit the lack of advertising and good info.

Start by making an image of your primary hard drive, SSD, or NVME preferably to a second drive installed in the computer. My prefered tool for this is Macrium Reflect Free, but there are many other free programs that work just fine as well.

Then watch this video, https://youtu.be/rWxGfxXLRFU?list=LL. But do not use the regestry values this guy recommends... use the following values instead to install it as an IoT version which will get updates until 2032.

The following will take just a couple minutes. And if you don't do the upgrade it will probably screw your computer up in some way.

Running Regedit as an administrator navigate to...
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

now change to the values to the new ones listed below by double clicking on the Key Names:
Key Name = New Value

CompositionEditionID = IoTEnterpriseS

CurrentBuild =19044

CurrentBuildNumber = 19044

DisplayVersion = 21H2

EditionID = IoTEnterpriseS

ProductName = Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021

ReleaseId = 21H2

That is it!

If you purchase your license key from a provider like Gamers-Outlet they provide a link to the ISO file. Download the ISO and copy it preferably to your 2nd drive but a USB drive will work as well. The ISO file cannot be run from the drive that you are currently running Windows on. Do not bother preparing a bootable drive. Then go to the ISO file in Windows Explorer right click on it and choose “mount”. Then go to the simulated DVD drive that will show up and double click on setup.

You may have to choose the option to keep your files and programs but for I did not have to. If you do not want to keep your files and programs you can click on the button that allows you to review what you want to keep, If it already says that it is going to keep your files and programs and you click on the button to review your decision expect to wait several minutes.

If you are doing a clean install from a bootable USB stick the process of installing like most instructions in videos and directions found online like I did on my first three installs it does not not take very long. But depending on how much stuff you have installed in your Windows 10 system installing over the top of it can take a long time to complete.

The first time that the compputer shuts down it may try to look for the simulated drive that you ran setup from and gie you an error message. Turning the computer off and on this should fix this problem. If it does not you might have to go into your “bios” or “UEFI” to change the boot settings. This varies a little from system to systembut is not difficult.

After you have waited quite a while for update after update is installed and it looks like your about done be prepared for more updates, and then more updates after that. You will eventually be stuck on a blue page for quite a while that says that more updates are in progress “Please keep your device on”. You will start thinking that the computer is screwed up, but just wait and wait and wait, and eventually you will get a counter showing the percentage left. It will appear to boot up, but you will get a blank screen that lasts for a long time. EVentually the counter will resume at about the number that you saw last. It will eventually get to 100% then it wills eventually boot up and come to a familiar page.

At that point you will want to key in “ativate windows” in your search box next to the windows start menu button on the lower left. Enter your license key and you will be set.

Don't bother to check for more updates, because it will find more and add to your aggrivation. Just wait till later.

When you do decide you want the cumulative updates... two will fail.

KB5055682 NET Framework 4.8 and 4.81
KB5010472 NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8
They will give you error code 0x80070570

Just search for NET Framework 4.8 and 4.81 and then NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8 in Grok and it will tell you how to install them manually.

I know that the majority of people who comment will be those who are hoping this Microsoft created mess will result in more people switching to Linux. I do not have a problem with that... On my little $119 mini-computer that I use for Home Server projects, I have three versions of Linux installed for various uses along with Windows 11 Pro. Each Linux installation and the Windows 11 Pro all have additional Linux virtual machines. I also run Docker Desktop and CasaOS on the little guy and the Linux subsystem is also installed in Windows 11 Pro. I absolutely love Linux, but for many of us it is not able to completey replace Windows 10 for various reasons.

This article and my comments are meant to help people, and no one wants to keep this type of info from getting out more than Microsoft.

[fireman15]

Thought you might want to take a look at this.

[bimboeruption]

Thanks for posting this fireman. I have Windows 10 and recently received an email from MS telling me there wasn’t going to be any more updates/support.

[linMcHlp]

bttt

[Repeal The 17th]

bookmark

[CaptainK]

Can you come to my house to do this for me? I don’t speak computerese.

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

It would be nice if they would make Windows 11 better than pure crap before forcing everyone to use it, but I know that’s just wishful thinking.

[RandallFlagg]

Bookmarking

[fireman15]

Sorry to everyone that I did not do a better job of proofreading before posting.

[A Navy Vet]

I rarely do updates because they tend to do something I don't want or care about. Windows 10 is fine for me. Regarding security, there are enough updates to fill that need. If not, get a security app.

Mo Money, Mo money, Mo money. Aren't they rich enough?

[Bob434]

Bump to top

[conserv8]

bkmk

[McGruff]

I currently have Windows 11. Can you set this up with a dual boot?

[dadfly]

bookmark.

[webheart]

I’d rather have a mac

[webheart]

It’s not that I can’t figure out that LTS means Long Term Support and I can’t search the internet for what all the other abbreviations mean, it’s just that it is so annoying to toss out all the acronyms without saying what they mean when you are trying to convince people that your Ubuntu is much larger than their Ubuntu and that you can UEFI your SSD with a USB RAID. Maybe it’s too much to ask for you to take a few minutes to explain what the acronyms are supposed to represent so we can be suitably impressed by your multiboot prowess. I don’t plan on multi booting operating systems. I just get another computer and run it on a KVM switch. KVM means keyboard video mouse by the way.

[lefty-lie-spy]

LOLZ

[BerryDingle]

bookmark

[sneakers]

bump

[Baldwin77]

bookmark

[daniel1212]

Thanks for trying to help. I am concerned about the grey market retailers, while as running a substantially customized legal copy of W/11Pro retail (which only cost $29 due to an upgrade from XP to W/8 with free subsequent upgrades to 8.1>10>11) I myself have no need for a W/10 version. For that is essentially achieved via Open Shell, download Open Shell (click on Releases>Latest on middle right side) to replace the mobile device W/11 start menu

And Explorer Patcher (see under Assets here. Install, and r. click on TB and hit Properties to see options) that restores the Windows 11 taskbar to be like Windows 10 (which enables a two-level taskbar, plus Quick Launch), while Windows 7+ Taskbar Tweaker (I am using the beta ver.) provides more customization.

There is also Windows 7+ Taskbar Tweaker (I am using the beta ver.) provides more customization.

Then there are the over 200 tweaks available in Ultimate Windows Tweaker 5 for Windows 11 from the Windows club.

Add to this the many Winaero features of the Winaero Tweaker

See some images here.

Plus many .reg files for further customization, thanks be to God for all such, as part of His manifold grace, which only should be used for what is good in His sight.