Any Windows 11 LTSC Opinions and advice?

Cubase
1

Has anyone tried the Windows 11 LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel)
It’s supposed to be de bloated version of Windows 11 and without the AI Copilot
and those hardware requirements that’s a lighter version of the OS.
Thinking of upgrading from Windows 10 Pro …

2

if you are not too keen to keep Windows up to date it would be a good solution for you

1 Like
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Could be fine, but if you are not familiar already with the multiple nuances of LTSC, don’t go there.
Better off installing the regular Win Pro (or Home) and de-bloating it yourself.
Note also it’s complicated for most users to get a license for LTSC legally.

4

there’s no need to to go to those lengths.

Cubase 14 runs perfectly on a Vanilla install of Windows 11 . Set your power settings to maximum and off you go and make music.

It’s not 2005 anymore.

M

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In addition to what Norbury wrote I’ll add that I think there are some serious considerations to be made before switching - because of some limitations. This is quoted from a post on Gearspace where Pete from MS comments on it:

LTSC Pros

  • It’s frozen in time (a pro for some)
  • Mandatory telemetry, pinned apps, etc. aren’t there
  • Potentially easier to set up without a MSFT account

LTSC Cons

  • It’s frozen in time every few years, so won’t get the new MIDI stack or other audio enhancements, and won’t always have support for the latest silicon
  • Upgrading to a new version of Windows is a full purchase.
  • Requires a completely clean install for each version
  • Same hardware requirements as the version of Windows 10/11 it is based on, so no savings there.
  • It’s designed for use in a kiosk or ATM, so you have to provide a central mechanism for security/bug fix updates (not sure if there’s a way to manually install them)
  • Expensive and hard to purchase legitimately
  • Expects you are going to have a highly controlled (and likely offline) environment, not using it as a general purpose PC.

That’s from here: Improving Real-Time Audio Performance in Windows 11

I get that everyone is different, but I think for most people the above should be a reason to think twice about getting it. Personally, just as an example, I need internet connection to do everything from file up/downloads to access to online sample libraries or AI software to Zoom connections with clients with audio/video streaming of my mix, so if the expectation is that it’s a likely offline computer where I have to provide security measures that causes a lot of problems. I can no longer rely on MS to offer that ‘in the box’ but have to manage it myself.

Additionally I absolutely add functionality to my workstation every year and those third party add-ons need to work. I would hate it if they rely on some “new” additions to the regular Pro version of the OS that this LTSC version now doesn’t have.

So, I kind of get why people think they need something “slim”, but I’m not sure this is a better option.

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6

Thanks man that’s what i needed to know thanks again.