Windows 10 End of Support: Difference between revisions

(2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)

Line 1:

Microsoft officially ended the support for consumer editions of Windows 10 on the 14th of October, 2025. This leads to many people who don't know how to proceed, because they either don't want to upgrade to Windows 11, or would be willing to, but their PC isn't supported due to Microsoft's consumer unfriendly restrictions on what hardware can be used with Windows 11.

== Windows LTSC Versions with support until 2032 ==

==Windows LTSC Versions with support until 2032==

It is still possible to use Windows 10 and still receive updates for the next years, however that is only possible for the LTSC versions of the operating system, the version that is normally not accessible for the general public. It is still possible to download, install and use that edition of Windows 10, only thing is, you can't just normally install that version or upgrade to it and except everything to work the same like in normal Windows 10. The LTSC versions of Windows 10 don't support Apps, like the Windows Store and any other app that you would install from the Windows store, among other restrictions. Not due to technical limitations or anything like that; it's theoretically possible to have Windows 10 LTSC support all the things a normal Windows 10 installation could support, Microsoft just decided that the LTSC editions won't have the support for Apps and other things built in to the OS.

Line 8:

Line 9:

There is a way to upgrade an existing Windows 10 install to ''Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021'', while keeping all the applications you installed, weather it be a Windows store application or "normal" programs like your browser of choice, games and everything else, and the installers for Windows technically support that as well, it just doesn't let you do that voluntarily, but it can be made to support it.

== Upgrading to an LTSC edition of Windows ==

==Upgrading to an LTSC edition of Windows==

In order to upgrade your PC from normal Windows 10 Home/Pro/Education to ''Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021'' you need the installation medium, that usually comes in an ISO format, and you need to make the installer believe that your currently installed Windows version is that you want to upgrade to. That can either be done automatically by a script, or manually.

=== ~~Finding the right ISO~~ ===

====IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS====

~~There are different sources~~ to ~~get an ISO for the~~ LTSC ~~editions of windows,~~ you ~~could~~ for ~~example search the internet archive or use~~ this ~~guide to find an ISO: https://massgrave.dev/windows_ltsc_links~~

- Windows will not be activated after switching to ''IoT Enterprise LTSC'' and you'll have to acquire a new Windows license for this particular edition of Windows 10<br>

~~'''Disclaimer:'''~~ The ISO for the '''''IoT''' Enterprise LTSC'' is only available with the English (US) language pack, meaning, no matter what language your OS is set to, it will be set to English (US) after the installation. This can however be changed to any language you want, and Windows supports, once the installation is complete. Microsoft provides a list of supported languages and how to change them, you can find it [https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/language-packs-for-windows-a5094319-a92d-18de-5b53-1cfc697cfca8#windowsversion=windows_10 here]

- The ISO for the '''''IoT''' Enterprise LTSC'' is only available with the English (US) language pack, meaning, no matter what language your OS is set to, it will be set to English (US) after the installation. This can however be changed to any language you want, and Windows supports, once the installation is complete. Microsoft provides a list of supported languages and how to change them, you can find it [https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/language-packs-for-windows-a5094319-a92d-18de-5b53-1cfc697cfca8#windowsversion=windows_10 here]<br>

=== Using the script ===

===Using the script===

The script can be found in this GitHub [https://github.com/emmi-ari/Windows-10-IoT-LTSC-Convert repository].

It is advised that you finished downloading the ISO before proceeding with the script.

Line 23:

Line 24:

''Important: Save and close everything you're doing before proceeding with the installation process. Windows will automatically restart!''

# Once you start the script, select the ISO that contains the installer for ''Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021''

#Once you start the script, select the ISO that contains the installer for ''Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021''

# After the setup wizard is started you will have to wait a few minutes for the installer to complete the initialization.

#After the setup wizard is started you will have to wait a few minutes for the installer to complete the initialization.

# (''Only applicable to people who use Windows with an other language than en-US'') You may now see a screen that tells you that some settings will be changed during the installation, namely the language. This only comes on systems, that had an other locale installed, that is not en-US. You have to confirm that change in order to proceed.

#(''Only applicable to people who use Windows with an other language than en-US'') You may now see a screen that tells you that some settings will be changed during the installation, namely the language. This only comes on systems, that had an other locale installed, that is not en-US. You have to confirm that change in order to proceed.

# Now you should see the setup window displaying a "Ready to install" message, with a recap, that says "Install Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC" and "Keep personal files and apps". You can proceed by clicking the "Install" button.

#Now you should see the setup window displaying a "Ready to install" message, with a recap, that says "Install Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC" and "Keep personal files and apps". You can proceed by clicking the "Install" button.

# There will now be a full screen display of the setup, telling you to wait until the computer restarts.

#There will now be a full screen display of the setup, telling you to wait until the computer restarts.

# You can start using your computer again, when you see a Windows login screen to your account.

#You can start using your computer again, when you see a Windows login screen to your account.

=== Manual approach ===

===Manual approach===

If you'd rather manually upgrade your computer to the LTSC edition of Windows you of course can. Here's a step by step guide on how to do that:

# Registry Changes

#Registry Changes

## Open <code>regedit.exe</code> and navigate to <code>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion</code> and

##Open <code>regedit.exe</code> and navigate to <code>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion</code> and

## Change the value for <code>EditionID</code> to <code>IoTEnterpriseS</code>,

##Change the value for <code>EditionID</code> to <code>IoTEnterpriseS</code>,

## and change the value for <code>ProductName</code> to <code>Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021</code>

##and change the value for <code>ProductName</code> to <code>Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021</code>

# Setup

#Setup

## Mount the ISO you downloaded, by double clicking the .ISO file in Windows

##Mount the ISO you downloaded, by double clicking the .ISO file in Windows

## Start <code>setup.exe</code> from the root of the mounted installation drive.

##Start <code>setup.exe</code> from the root of the mounted installation drive.

## Click on "Change how Windows Setup downloads updates" and select "Not right now". The other option has a huge overhead, and installing updates will be available after a successful installation

##Click on "Change how Windows Setup downloads updates" and select "Not right now". The other option has a huge overhead, and installing updates will be available after a successful installation

## Also make sure that you '''haven't''' checked the checkbox, that grants Microsoft the right to snoop on your installation process via telemetry.

##Also make sure that you '''haven't''' checked the checkbox, that grants Microsoft the right to snoop on your installation process via telemetry.

## Go to the next page and accept the license agreement.

##Go to the next page and accept the license agreement.

## If your current OS does not have English (US) as its system language, you'll be presented with a "What needs your attention" screen, from the installer. Here you have to acknowledge that your system locale will be changed to English (US). You have to click the "OK" button, ''not'' the "Refresh" button on the bottom right of the window.

##If your current OS does not have English (US) as its system language, you'll be presented with a "What needs your attention" screen, from the installer. Here you have to acknowledge that your system locale will be changed to English (US). You have to click the "OK" button, ''not'' the "Refresh" button on the bottom right of the window.

## Now you should see the setup window displaying a "Ready to install" message, with a recap, that says "Install Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC" and "Keep personal files and apps". You can proceed by clicking the "Install" button.

##Now you should see the setup window displaying a "Ready to install" message, with a recap, that says "Install Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC" and "Keep personal files and apps". You can proceed by clicking the "Install" button.

## There will now be a full screen display of the setup, telling you to wait until the computer restarts.

##There will now be a full screen display of the setup, telling you to wait until the computer restarts.

## You can start using your computer again, when you see a Windows login screen to your account.

##You can start using your computer again, when you see a Windows login screen to your account.

==Post installation==

Due to Microsoft making it hard for the normal user to use the ''IoT Enterprise LTSC'' edition of Windows, you will lose your Windows activation and have to activate it again. Also there are several things you could check and do after the setup has completed and the computer is usable again. Windows likes to reinstall system components that were once uninstalled by the user, during the upgrade process, like for example Windows Defender.

===License===

After you first launch the new edition of Windows, you'll have lost your desktop backgrounds. That is because Windows doesn't want to allow for customization on a Windows installation that isn't activated.

There are several ways of activating a Windows product. Product keys are one way, however it is not as trivial to find cheap product keys for this edition of Windows as it is for Windows 10 Home or Pro.

Fortunately there are other ways of activating a Windows installation. If you have any nerd friends, you could ask them for methods.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{GuideNotice}}
 Microsoft officially ended the support for consumer editions of Windows 10 on the 14th of October, 2025. This leads to many people who don't know how to proceed, because they either don't want to upgrade to Windows 11, or would be willing to, but their PC isn't supported due to Microsoft's consumer unfriendly restrictions on what hardware can be used with Windows 11.
-== Windows LTSC Versions with support until 2032 ==
+==Windows LTSC Versions with support until 2032==
 It is still possible to use Windows 10 and still receive updates for the next years, however that is only possible for the LTSC versions of the operating system, the version that is normally not accessible for the general public. It is still possible to download, install and use that edition of Windows 10, only thing is, you can't just normally install that version or upgrade to it and except everything to work the same like in normal Windows 10. The LTSC versions of Windows 10 don't support Apps, like the Windows Store and any other app that you would install from the Windows store, among other restrictions. Not due to technical limitations or anything like that; it's theoretically possible to have Windows 10 LTSC support all the things a normal Windows 10 installation could support, Microsoft just decided that the LTSC editions won't have the support for Apps and other things built in to the OS.
@@ Line 8: / Line 9: @@
 There is a way to upgrade an existing Windows 10 install to ''Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021'', while keeping all the applications you installed, weather it be a Windows store application or "normal" programs like your browser of choice, games and everything else, and the installers for Windows technically support that as well, it just doesn't let you do that voluntarily, but it can be made to support it.
-== Upgrading to an LTSC edition of Windows ==
+==Upgrading to an LTSC edition of Windows==
 In order to upgrade your PC from normal Windows 10 Home/Pro/Education to ''Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021'' you need the installation medium, that usually comes in an ISO format, and you need to make the installer believe that your currently installed Windows version is that you want to upgrade to. That can either be done automatically by a script, or manually.
-=== Finding the right ISO ===
+====IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS====
-There are different sources to get an ISO for the LTSC editions of windows, you could for example search the internet archive or use this guide to find an ISO: https://massgrave.dev/windows_ltsc_links
+- Windows will not be activated after switching to ''IoT Enterprise LTSC'' and you'll have to acquire a new Windows license for this particular edition of Windows 10<br>
-'''Disclaimer:''' The ISO for the '''''IoT''' Enterprise LTSC'' is only available with the English (US) language pack, meaning, no matter what language your OS is set to, it will be set to English (US) after the installation. This can however be changed to any language you want, and Windows supports, once the installation is complete. Microsoft provides a list of supported languages and how to change them, you can find it [https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/language-packs-for-windows-a5094319-a92d-18de-5b53-1cfc697cfca8#windowsversion=windows_10 here]
+- The ISO for the '''''IoT''' Enterprise LTSC'' is only available with the English (US) language pack, meaning, no matter what language your OS is set to, it will be set to English (US) after the installation. This can however be changed to any language you want, and Windows supports, once the installation is complete. Microsoft provides a list of supported languages and how to change them, you can find it [https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/language-packs-for-windows-a5094319-a92d-18de-5b53-1cfc697cfca8#windowsversion=windows_10 here]<br>
-=== Using the script ===
+===Using the script===
 The script can be found in this GitHub [https://github.com/emmi-ari/Windows-10-IoT-LTSC-Convert repository].
 It is advised that you finished downloading the ISO before proceeding with the script.
@@ Line 23: / Line 24: @@
 ''Important: Save and close everything you're doing before proceeding with the installation process. Windows will automatically restart!''
-# Once you start the script, select the ISO that contains the installer for ''Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021''
+#Once you start the script, select the ISO that contains the installer for ''Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021''
-# After the setup wizard is started you will have to wait a few minutes for the installer to complete the initialization.
+#After the setup wizard is started you will have to wait a few minutes for the installer to complete the initialization.
-# (''Only applicable to people who use Windows with an other language than en-US'') You may now see a screen that tells you that some settings will be changed during the installation, namely the language. This only comes on systems, that had an other locale installed, that is not en-US. You have to confirm that change in order to proceed.
+#(''Only applicable to people who use Windows with an other language than en-US'') You may now see a screen that tells you that some settings will be changed during the installation, namely the language. This only comes on systems, that had an other locale installed, that is not en-US. You have to confirm that change in order to proceed.
-# Now you should see the setup window displaying a "Ready to install" message, with a recap, that says "Install Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC" and "Keep personal files and apps". You can proceed by clicking the "Install" button.
+#Now you should see the setup window displaying a "Ready to install" message, with a recap, that says "Install Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC" and "Keep personal files and apps". You can proceed by clicking the "Install" button.
-# There will now be a full screen display of the setup, telling you to wait until the computer restarts.
+#There will now be a full screen display of the setup, telling you to wait until the computer restarts.
-# You can start using your computer again, when you see a Windows login screen to your account.
+#You can start using your computer again, when you see a Windows login screen to your account.
-=== Manual approach ===
+===Manual approach===
 If you'd rather manually upgrade your computer to the LTSC edition of Windows you of course can. Here's a step by step guide on how to do that:
-# Registry Changes
+#Registry Changes
-## Open <code>regedit.exe</code> and navigate to <code>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion</code> and
+##Open <code>regedit.exe</code> and navigate to <code>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion</code> and
-## Change the value for <code>EditionID</code> to <code>IoTEnterpriseS</code>,
+##Change the value for <code>EditionID</code> to <code>IoTEnterpriseS</code>,
-## and change the value for <code>ProductName</code> to <code>Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021</code>
+##and change the value for <code>ProductName</code> to <code>Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021</code>
-# Setup
+#Setup
-## Mount the ISO you downloaded, by double clicking the .ISO file in Windows
+##Mount the ISO you downloaded, by double clicking the .ISO file in Windows
-## Start <code>setup.exe</code> from the root of the mounted installation drive.
+##Start <code>setup.exe</code> from the root of the mounted installation drive.
-## Click on "Change how Windows Setup downloads updates" and select "Not right now". The other option has a huge overhead, and installing updates will be available after a successful installation
+##Click on "Change how Windows Setup downloads updates" and select "Not right now". The other option has a huge overhead, and installing updates will be available after a successful installation
-## Also make sure that you '''haven't''' checked the checkbox, that grants Microsoft the right to snoop on your installation process via telemetry.
+##Also make sure that you '''haven't''' checked the checkbox, that grants Microsoft the right to snoop on your installation process via telemetry.
-## Go to the next page and accept the license agreement.
+##Go to the next page and accept the license agreement.
-## If your current OS does not have English (US) as its system language, you'll be presented with a "What needs your attention" screen, from the installer. Here you have to acknowledge that your system locale will be changed to English (US). You have to click the "OK" button, ''not'' the "Refresh" button on the bottom right of the window.
+##If your current OS does not have English (US) as its system language, you'll be presented with a "What needs your attention" screen, from the installer. Here you have to acknowledge that your system locale will be changed to English (US). You have to click the "OK" button, ''not'' the "Refresh" button on the bottom right of the window.
-## Now you should see the setup window displaying a "Ready to install" message, with a recap, that says "Install Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC" and "Keep personal files and apps". You can proceed by clicking the "Install" button.
+##Now you should see the setup window displaying a "Ready to install" message, with a recap, that says "Install Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC" and "Keep personal files and apps". You can proceed by clicking the "Install" button.
-## There will now be a full screen display of the setup, telling you to wait until the computer restarts.
+##There will now be a full screen display of the setup, telling you to wait until the computer restarts.
-## You can start using your computer again, when you see a Windows login screen to your account.
+##You can start using your computer again, when you see a Windows login screen to your account.
+==Post installation==
+Due to Microsoft making it hard for the normal user to use the ''IoT Enterprise LTSC'' edition of Windows, you will lose your Windows activation and have to activate it again. Also there are several things you could check and do after the setup has completed and the computer is usable again. Windows likes to reinstall system components that were once uninstalled by the user, during the upgrade process, like for example Windows Defender.
+===License===
+After you first launch the new edition of Windows, you'll have lost your desktop backgrounds. That is because Windows doesn't want to allow for customization on a Windows installation that isn't activated.
+There are several ways of activating a Windows product. Product keys are one way, however it is not as trivial to find cheap product keys for this edition of Windows as it is for Windows 10 Home or Pro.
+Fortunately there are other ways of activating a Windows installation. If you have any nerd friends, you could ask them for methods.