I plan to install them on audio PC, DAW, plugins, etc.
What are the differences, pros and cons?

 

Activated Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024
Pros

1. Full Features Unlocked
   
   • All system settings (personalization, group policy, updates, etc.) are available.
     
     
   • Windows Defender and security features work without limitation.
     
     
   • Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) ensures no feature updates (only security fixes).
     
2. No Watermark or Limitations
   
   • No “Activate Windows” watermark on the desktop.
     
     
   • No restrictions on wallpaper, themes, or personalization settings.
     
3. Licensing and Legal Use
   
   • Fully licensed and compliant with Microsoft’s EULA.
     
     
   • Eligible for support from Microsoft and OEMs.
     
4. Stability and Optimization
   
   • LTSC is optimized for embedded/industrial use—fewer background processes, bloatware removed.
     
     
   • Perfect for DAWs where low-latency and consistent performance is key.
     
5. Better Integration with Pro Audio Gear
   
   • Some audio interfaces and professional plugins may check for activation or may not run correctly on unactivated systems.
     

Unactivated Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024
Cons

1. Watermark
   
   • Persistent "Activate Windows" watermark on the bottom-right corner of the screen.
     
2. Limited Personalization
   
   • You can’t change wallpaper, themes, lock screen settings, etc.
     
3. Potential Feature Limitations
   
   • Some group policy settings may be disabled.
     
     
   • You may be locked out of some power/user management options.
     
     
   • Certain updates or system tools may not work as expected.
     
4. Questionable Software Behavior
   
   • Some professional software and plugins may not install or function properly if Windows isn’t activated (e.g., iLok, Waves, etc.).
     
5. No Official Support
   
   • Not eligible for Microsoft support, and may violate software agreements.
     

 

Thank you very much, detailed answer! Best way to activate them?

 

check MASSGRAVE 2025

it also enable to change a familly to entreprise edition. in few mn without installing nothing.

 

Thank you !

 

massgrave has a handy comparison of LTSC vs IOT LTSC - topic of activation is relevant for the choice as well:

 

Open terminal as Admin, paste

 

Thank you all!

 

I always used the stuff on mydgitallife, but trying to navigate and find latest was always a pain, thanks Bob for the nod on Massgrave, that seems far more straightforward.

 

The first activation attempt failed, I got the message:
'Evaluation editions can not be activated beyond the evaluation period. Avoid using them, download the full versions instead", and finally I managed to activate them as a 90-day evaluation.

Now I remembered that I had tried again with the LTSC, I could not activate them and I gave up.

 

Spoiler: Why Evaluation Editions Fail to Activate

Why Evaluation Editions Fail to Activate

• Evaluation editions of Windows (including Windows Server and Windows Enterprise) are designed for temporary testing and come with a limited activation period-typically 90 days for Windows Enterprise and 180 days for Windows Server27.
  
  
• These editions cannot be activated beyond their evaluation period. Once the trial expires, the system will begin to show warnings, restrict updates, and may shut down every hour37.
  
  
• If you attempt to activate an evaluation edition after the period has expired, you will get messages like:
  
  ); border-inline-start-width: 4px; border-inline-start-color: oklch(var(--border-color-100)); quotes: "“" "”" "‘" "’"; padding-inline-start: 1em; padding-left: 1rem;">
  "Evaluation editions can not be activated beyond the evaluation period. Avoid using them, download the full versionsinstead7.
  
  
• You can extend the Windows Server evaluation up to six times (each for 180 days), totaling about three years, using the slmgr -rearm command458. However, this does not convert it into a permanently activated system-it remains an evaluation57.

Why LTSC Could Not Be Activated

• Windows LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) editions, especially Enterprise LTSC, are volume license products. They require activation through a company’s Key Management Service (KMS) or with a valid Multiple Activation Key (MAK)911.
  
  
• LTSC editions cannot be activated by individuals unless you have access to a corporate KMS server or a valid MAK. Attempting to use generic or personal keys will not work and will result in errors such as 0x800705B4 or 0x8007007B911.
  
  
• If you do not have the proper activation infrastructure (like a KMS server), you will not be able to activate LTSC editions as a private user11.

 

So there's really no way to activate them?

 

did you try "irm https://get.activated.win | iex" ?

 

Yes, I tried and got the message 'Evaluation editions cannot be activated beyond the evaluation period. Avoid using them, download the full versions instead"
Or, I downloaded the wrong version ?

In the end, they are not at all easy to activate, I remember that I had tried before 3-4 years ago and I had not succeeded.

 

Last edited: May 18, 2025

Hey Bob I recently got a Komplete Kontrol S-Series MK2 keyboard and want to update firmware. Is it okay to install their native access 2 and register
STEP 1: DOWNLOAD, INSTALL, AND RUN NATIVE ACCESS
Or will this mess up Your Kontakt 8.3 bobdule?
Thanks

 

Maybe, yeah. Go to the massgrave website and download:

en-us_windows_10_iot_enterprise_ltsc_2021_x64_dvd_257ad90f.iso

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021
Build 19044.1288

Then activate with your preferred method.

 

en-us_windows_10_iot_enterprise_ltsc_2021_x64_dvd_257ad90f.iso? I want win 11 no 10, and 2024 no 2021

I'm downloading and testing these now: en-us_windows_11_iot_enterprise_ltsc_2024_x64_dvd_f6b14814.iso, although I think they're the same as the ones I've already downloaded from microsoft

YABATECH@, I don't understand your comment.

EDIT

Maybe I should turn off the internet so they don't have time to update the first time?...

 

Last edited: May 18, 2025

Indeed they are. You had just make the mistake to use the evaluation version. That can be just rearmed every X days using MAS TSForge. You shouldnt have any troubles with the version you are downloading now. And for turning off internet connection well, it's up to you. LTSC version doesnt need a microsoft account and no updates will block the MAS script to be executed.

It's different. The iso on massgrave it's the full non evaluation version from the official OEM portal.

 

Last edited: May 18, 2025

Thanks, I'll download it and try it out. Do I first activate the windows and then convert them to enterprise? I don't understand it well.

 

convert evaluation to full version
https://windowsforum.com/threads/co...on-to-full-version-step-by-step-guide.344216/

change the product key (method3 + generic key) then you will be able to activate.

you can change retail to volume key if it fail to activate with activation tool.