…the user has a new computer running on an Intel eighth-generation “Kaby Lake Refresh” or newer processor.…the user requires core Windows 10 functionality that’s been introduced since the latest LTSB release ( Windows Subsystem for Linux, for example).…the user requires Windows Store apps (which includes Microsoft Edge and Cortana).

You should not deploy Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB if… There are only functionality and hardware requirements to be considered, and those requirements will be different from department to department and, in some cases, from user to user. There are no system management reasons to not deploy LTSB. There are no security reasons to not deploy LTSB. So, should we be deploying Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB here at Duke? That’s a question each group will have to answer for themselves. This introduces a potential down-side to deploying LTSB, but it’s not a new concept, as both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, both still fully supported by Microsoft on older hardware, are only partially supported on Intel’s sixth-generation “Skylake” processors and are not supported on the seventh-generation “Kaby Lake” processors. However, recent articles and an updated Microsoft FAQ point out that, as released versions of Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB will not receive newer features, they will also not be supported on newer computer processors (such as Intel’s eighth-generation “Kaby Lake Refresh” architecture, released in August, 2017). While, according to Microsoft, LTSB was “designed for special-purpose PCs such as those used in point-of-sale systems or controlling factory or medical equipment”, some in IT have deployed it to common end-user computers, citing the benefit of having no Windows Store apps (which includes Microsoft Edge and Cortana) and no semi-annual feature updates to deal with. To date, Microsoft has delivered two releases of Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB (20) with the next expected in 2019. Each release of Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB will remain relatively unchanged–receiving only security updates and bug fixes, but no feature updates–through a 10-year lifespan.

With the release of Windows 10 in 2015, Microsoft introduced a new sub-edition of Windows 10 Enterprise called “Long Term Servicing Branch” or “LTSB”. Effective use of Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB will depend on your specific needs and the needs of your users.

Windows 10 enterprise 2016 ltsb