Questions about Win 10 IoT Enterprice LTSC

[Greybeard]

I want to continue using my old laptop (2008) with Windows 10 when MS stops providing updates next month.
The Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 CPU supports SSE 4.1, but Windows 11 requires SSE 4.2, so I can't upgrade to Windows 11.
I don't want to switch to Linux (for now) because it's too much of a change for me (you can't teach an old dog new tricks).

I've heard of Win 10 IoT Enterprice LTSC, which offers longer support.
Unfortunately, it seems to only be sold as a collective license to companies and not to individuals.
I've seen offers on eBay, but I don't know how to find out which are actually legitimate.

My questions about Win 10 IoT Enterprice LTSC:

1. Which version offers the longest available security updates? -> Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 (x64) -> 2032-01-13
2. Where can I download it (URL)?
3. Is this a trial version with a usage period of 4 x 90 days?
4. Does it work without any activation (like Windows 10 Pro) only with the "Activate Windows" watermark on the desktop background?
5. What happens after 90 days?
7. What happens after 4 x 90 days?
8. Will the computer then lock or will it remain usable? A simple "Activate Windows" watermark in the desktop background wouldn't bother me too much.
9. Can I activate Win 10 IoT LTSC by using my old Windows 10 Pro license?

[Halcyon]

I can't address your questions specifically (as I stopped using Windows about 10 years ago), but this might help:

https://massgrave.dev/windows10_eol

[JPortici]

Friendly reminder that "ESU" is a gateway to windows as a service.
- Release "final" windows
- Over times it actually gets good with a couple of features we never would have dreamed of (such as WSL)
- Release much crappier new windows
- Massive FUD campaign to force adoption, which require hardware upgrades, even on new devices
And when the final moment approaches:
Announce you can actually keep using the old OS, for a yearly / monthly fee.

I suggest the OP take inspiration from his own avatar and be free, if he doesn't want to put the effort to switch to linux

[Halcyon]

I suggest the OP take inspiration from his own avatar and be free, if he doesn't want to put the effort to switch to linux

I agree. I went through the "pain" of switching to Linux long ago, I didn't regret it. The experience was still way better than Windows 8/10/11.

These days, I just use a Mac. One version of the OS (which I can run completely offline, without any Apple accounts if I want to), no bloat, runs everything I want to (including games), and it's polished. Plus I get all the features of Linux.

[Greybeard]

I know I could and should have switched to Linux a long time ago, but I've put it off for too long, and now I don't want to go through the hassle of changing.

... this might help:
https://massgrave.dev/windows10_eol

I found the download link for my desired operating system, but I'm skeptical about downloading from non-MS websites.

I also found these links:
https://archive.org/details/en-us_windows_10_iot_enterprise_ltsc_2021_x64_dvd_257ad90f_202301
https://archive.org/details/win10iotenterpriseltsc2021x64en-us (this should be the full version)

Can I trust these links?
Which version should I get?

[Halcyon]

I know I could and should have switched to Linux a long time ago, but I've put it off for too long, and now I don't want to go through the hassle of changing.

... this might help:
https://massgrave.dev/windows10_eol

I found the download link for my desired operating system, but I'm skeptical about downloading from non-MS websites.

I also found these links:
https://archive.org/details/en-us_windows_10_iot_enterprise_ltsc_2021_x64_dvd_257ad90f_202301
https://archive.org/details/win10iotenterpriseltsc2021x64en-us (this should be the full version)

Can I trust these links?
Which version should I get?

Just be mindful that anyone can upload to archive.org, so it's not guaranteed to be 100% safe.

[Greybeard]

Just be mindful that anyone can upload to archive.org, so it's not guaranteed to be 100% safe.

I didn't know these uploads were done manually.
I thought it was done automatically somehow.

[Halcyon]

Just be mindful that anyone can upload to archive.org, so it's not guaranteed to be 100% safe.

I didn't know these uploads were done manually.
I thought it was done automatically somehow.

"The Wayback Machine" part of archive.org automatically crawls websites, so if it's in there, it's safe to say that it was automatically grabbed from the original site.

However, anyone can contribute to the software section of the site (https://archive.org/details/software). I've uploaded stuff there myself.

[coromonadalix]

I know I could and should have switched to Linux a long time ago, but I've put it off for too long, and now I don't want to go through the hassle of changing.

... this might help:
https://massgrave.dev/windows10_eol

I found the download link for my desired operating system, but I'm skeptical about downloading from non-MS websites.

I also found these links:
https://archive.org/details/en-us_windows_10_iot_enterprise_ltsc_2021_x64_dvd_257ad90f_202301
https://archive.org/details/win10iotenterpriseltsc2021x64en-us (this should be the full version)

Can I trust these links?
Which version should I get?

when you check their all files  the iso in both have the same name ?   you could do a click content checkup

as for activation   one of them suggest some script,  it's now a version 3.7  loll

[bingo600]

When i investigated the LTSC versions, my conclusion was:

That they are for Standalone or "Embedded system", like control systems or Kiosk where any application updates are installed (build) by your self ...
Or other systems that does NOT require any new(er) install packages.

They are build on OLD windows releases, and will give you library and/or DLL issues if you try to install a recent package.



Give this page a quick glance.

https://dtptips.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-windows-10-ltsc-and-iot-enterprise-ltsc-is-it-worth-it-for-home-users/