What is Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016?

Officially, LTSB which stands for "Long-term Servicing Branch," is a specialized edition of Windows 10 Enterprise that promises the longest intervals between feature upgrades of any version of the operating system.

Where other Windows 10 servicing models push feature upgrades to customers every six months, LTSB does so only every two or three years. That means fewer changes during a set timeline, a less-involved upgrade effort, and fewer disruptions as well as fewer possibilities for applications breaking because of a modification of the OS.

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSBGets Security Updates for 10 Years, Without Feature Updates

Because the LTSB version is designed for stability, it’s updated very differently from other builds of Windows 10. Microsoft will never publish a feature update like the Anniversary Update or November Update for Windows 10 LTSB. These machines will get security and bugfix updates through Windows Update, but that’s it. Even when Microsoft releases a new version of Windows 10 LTSB with new features, you’ll have to download new Windows 10 LTSB installation media and install or upgrade from the media. Windows 10 LTSB will never be automatically updated with new features.

According to official documentation, Microsoft will typically release a new major version of Windows 10 LTSB every two to three years. That’s what the documentation says, anyway–the current version of Windows 10 LTSB seems based on the Anniversary Update, so Microsoft is seemingly still changing its plans. You can also choose to skip releases–every version of Windows 10 LTSB will be supported with security and stability updates for ten years, according to Microsoft.

The LTSB servicing model prevents Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB devices from receiving the usual feature updates and provides only quality updates to ensure that device security stays up to date.”

LTSB Doesn’t Include the Store, Cortana, Edge, and Other Apps

Windows 10 LTSB omits a lot of the new stuff in Windows 10. It doesn’t come with the Windows Store, Cortana, or Microsoft Edge browser. It also omits other Microsoft apps like Calendar, Camera, Clock, Mail, Money, Music, News, OneNote, Sports, and Weather.

In fact, the default Start menu on Windows 10 LTSB doesn’t even include a single tile. You won’t find any of those new Windows 10 apps installed, aside from the Settings app.

It's Windows 10 Enterprise, and That Gives You More Control

Sounds pretty good, right? Unfortunately, as we said earlier, Windows 10 LTSB is only available as part of Windows 10 Enterprise. And Windows 10 Enterprise is only available to an organization with a volume licensing agreement, or through a new $7 per month subscription program.

Officially, if you’re part of an organization with a volume licensing program, you’re free to install Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB instead of Windows 10 Enterprise on your PCs. If you are not , then you can buy it from us now !