This servicing option is exclusively available for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC edition and distributes snapshots of this edition that are updated every 2-3 years. LTSC builds adhere to Microsoft's traditional support policy which was in effect before Windows 10: They are not updated with new features, and are supported with critical updates for 10 years after their release. Microsoft officially discourages the use of LTSC outside of "special-purpose devices" that perform a fixed function and thus do not require new user experience features. As a result, it excludes Windows Store, most Cortana functionality, and most bundled apps (including Microsoft Edge).[22][1][3] According to a Microsoft announcement, this servicing option was renamed from Long-Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) in 2016 to Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) in 2018, to match the name changes mentioned above.[23]
The general policy is to avoid running hyped scripts that modify windows, especially without a backup beforehand, and especially on LTSC since It is possible to use gpedit.msc and at least some control is retained.
The following is for installing w10 LTSC from the creation to the iso to the install of the security updates. The main steps are the creation of the iso and disabling auto updates, and updating manually.
ETA: 10 minutes to install LTSC+10 minutes to update it with Wsusoffline+10 minutes to change basic settings+ group policies [eg with WPD https://wpd.app/ ]+10 minutes for drivers+2 minutes for an image backup of C+XXX minutes for installing non portable software+10min for Compact.exe /CompactOS:always+1h to resetbase with Dism [optional]
- OPTIONAL: make an image backup of C:+whatever little recovery partition you have with a backup software [+store backup on a different SSD than the one used for C:] such as ''macrium free edition'' [which can run their .mrimg into virtual machines, with Macrium viBoot, or turn into vhdx, very useful to install a software needed only once or to stop windows non-LTSC from auto update (yet manual update is still possible https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/139119-native-boot-virtual-hard-disk-how-upgrade-windows.html )]
https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree & user manual https://updates.macrium.com/reflect/v7/user_guide/macrium_reflect_v7_2_user_guide.pdf
with the tutorials here
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/61026-backup-restore-macrium-reflect.html
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/52676-macrium-viboot-create-virtual-machine-using-macrium-image.html
https://knowledgebase.macrium.com/display/KNOW72/Restore+to+VHD
[macrium v6 http://updates.macrium.com/reflect/v6/ReflectDLv6.exe _ last version is v6.3.1865_reflect_setup_free_x64.exe _ is required to convert .rmimg into .vhdx, with their tool ImgToVhd http://updates.macrium.com/Reflect/utilities/ImgToVHD.msi, see http://kb.macrium.com/KnowledgebaseArticle50005.aspx?Keywords=VHD
This feature is removed in v7 where it is required to first create an empty vhd and then restore an image on it, then making the vhd bootable] - with SVFX.exe
https://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Back-Up-and-Recovery/SVF-eXtractor.shtml#download
convert whatever initial iso [typically consumer in English] with the LTSC specific SVF files, first consumer eng->ltsc eng, and second with the svf in the desired target language, all from
https://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/info-discussion-downloads-windows-10-1809-final-b-17763-xxx-pc-rs5.77945/
[eg link for version 17763.316 or the .107 version https://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/windows-10-svf-repository.63324/page-138#post-1483627 ]
into an LTSC iso and install the LTSC ISO on the usb key with rufus
https://rufus.ie/ - OPTIONAL: get the language packs [LPs] too, if more languages are requested after the install
https://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/info-discussion-downloads-windows-10-1809-final-b-17763-xxx-pc-rs5.77945/
https://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/add-multilingual-support-to-windows-10-distribution-automated-batch-script.68791/#post-1217467 - copy wsusoffline folder on the usb key, after you DLed all the latest updates for windows 10 x64
https://gitlab.com/wsusoffline/wsusoffline DL the repo and click CompileAutoItScripts.cmd to compile the 2 small binaries.
or use wumgr https://github.com/DavidXanatos/wumgr - copy SDIO folder on usb key after you DLed all the drivers you may need, for instance people who have a NVME SSD by samsung must install the driver ''Samsung NVMe Controller'' either from samsung.com or easier, directly available on SDIO,
https://www.snappy-driver-installer.org/
[right click on top left , choose ''driver pack updates'' for updates from the russian version for even more recent drivers
https://sdi-tool.org/ ]
[the difference between SDIO and SDI is like Ublock and UBO: a fork where spyware or adware were allegedly installed, then allegedly removed [compare SDI and SDI on virustotal], so stick to SDIO and UBO] - OPTIONAL: save the path, especially for folders which were added manually
https://www.howtogeek.com/118594/how-to-edit-your-system-path-for-easy-command-line-access/ - OPTIONAL: configure the folder view
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/7923-change-folder-template-windows-10-a.html - OPTIONAL: Backup Folder View Settings in Windows 10
https://winaero.com/blog/backup-folder-view-settings-windows-10/ - OPTIONAL: backup whatever theme you have
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/41564-save-theme-windows-10-a.html - physically disconnect the computer from the internet
- install windows
- install the language packs required [must be done before the updates]
- install .net 3.5 Offline with DSIM [keep USB key inserted] [must be installed before any update]
https://winaero.com/blog/offline-install-of-net-framework-3-5-in-windows-10-using-dism/ - run wsusoffline [.exe for install is in folder "client"]
- activate with KMS with either one of the following
- KMS_VL_ALL_AIO.cmd
https://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/kms_vl_all-smart-activation-script.79535/ - MAS_1.2_AIO_CRC32_C16049E9.cmd [permits activation up to the year 2o38]
https://gitlab.com/massgrave/microsoft-activation-scripts/-/releases
- KMS_VL_ALL_AIO.cmd
- REBOOT
- run wsusoffline again [.exe for install is in folder "client"]
- install openshell
https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu/releases - run WPD https://wpd.app/ or do it manually:
- in gpedit.msc, disable cortana
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/25118-enable-disable-cortana-windows-10-a.html - in gpedit.msc, disable all those compatibility assistant [but keep Compatibility Tab, that's useful]
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/106509-add-remove-compatibility-tab-properties-page-windows.html - Flag Ethernet & wifi connections as Metered
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/35656-set-ethernet-connection-metered-unmetered-windows-10-a.html - disable auto updates [apps, windows, drivers,...] easy way and recommended since it just works and it is compatible with wsusoffline
https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/stopwinupdates.html - AND:
- in gepdit.msc, Disable Automatic Updates
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8013-enable-disable-windows-update-automatic-updates-windows-10-a.html
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-stop-updates-installing-automatically-windows-10 - in gepdit.msc, disable auto driver updates
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/48277-enable-disable-driver-updates-windows-update-windows-10-a.html - in gpedit, disable auto update for apps
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/6664-turn-off-automatic-updates-apps-windows-10-store.html
- in gepdit.msc, Disable Automatic Updates
- Restore Missing Default Power Plans in Windows 10
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/110372-restore-missing-default-power-plans-windows-10-a.html - install all the C++ dll
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2977003/the-latest-supported-visual-c-downloads
OR easier AIO https://github.com/abbodi1406/vcredist/releases - run netplwiz to remove asking for pwd all the time
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3539-sign-user-account-automatically-windows-10-startup.html
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-windows-10-requiring-password-when-resuming-sleep - install throttlestop to stop evil OEM throttling the CPU + create a task to enable throttlestop at boot
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/the-throttlestop-guide.531329/ - Enable the (Hidden) Administrator Account and log on to it [you never know if you need it] then go back to the real account
https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/enable-the-hidden-administrator-account-on-windows-vista/ - change NTP server [or disable this feature] to a non-MS ntp server for time
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-manage-time-servers-windows-10 - disable Defender if you really want to
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5918-turn-off-windows-defender-antivirus-windows-10-a.html - REBOOT
- connect to the internet
- install drivers by manufacturer software [dell, hp,...] or SDIO or SDI
- [for intel GPU, install the driver, then you may need the intel awful GUI software to be downloaded by windows, which is done by enabling in ''Settings app''=>''Devices'' , this will not auto install any driver (well normally, so enable it only when it is needed and disable it when finished), then reboot
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/35734-turn-off-device-software-over-metered-connection-windows-10-a.html
check the software is installed in devmgr.msc, ''software component''. If it is not installed, then installed it again manually
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000032309/graphics-drivers.html ] - Do not trust intel to make their latest drivers stable, especially for the chipset, so always create a backup before updating sensitive drivers, especially from awful companies such as intel and Microsoft which issue awful unstable drivers all the time.
- [for intel GPU, install the driver, then you may need the intel awful GUI software to be downloaded by windows, which is done by enabling in ''Settings app''=>''Devices'' , this will not auto install any driver (well normally, so enable it only when it is needed and disable it when finished), then reboot
- allow user account to activate whatever harmless Dcom crap pollutes the event viewer
http://blog.ronnypot.nl/?p=843
For wscbrokermanager:
https://www.tenforums.com/general-support/109079-event-id-10016-distributedcom-windows-securitycenter-wscbrokermanager-2.html#post1459960 - for x360 gamepads, let w10 install the gamepad, then run the w7 .exe here [needed to get the correct buttons in some games, eg GTA]
https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-gb/d/xbox-360-controller-for-windows - enable Direct play for gaming
https://windowsreport.com/enable-directplay-windows-10/ - make an image backup of C:+whatever little recovery partition you have with a backup software [+store backup on a different SSD than the one used for C:]
- disable telemetry all you want
https://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/repo-windows-10-telemetry-repository.63874/ - for future windows updates, NEVER install the updates as soon as they are available [ie the second tuesday of each month], because sometimes MS fucks the updates very badly, sometimes the URLs change. Wait at least 1 week [or more]
run wsusoffline or Windows Update MiniTool
https://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/sledgehammer-windows-10-update-control.72203/
or WuMgr a fork of Windows Update MiniTool
https://github.com/DavidXanatos/wumgr
[Always make a backup image before DLing and or installing updates. With an SSD and modern cpu, an image of C: of 15GB is done in 1min] - for future updates of the VIDEO driver, always use DDU to remove the old driver
https://www.wagnardsoft.com/ - compact the OS with Compact.exe /CompactOS:always
- create a .cmd in order to get DISM to compact the image and check the integrity of the files, in the following order
- make a 2nd image of C
- if you really want to, install the store
https://github.com/kkkgo/LTSC-Add-MicrosoftStore - when you want to test a non portable software, create an image of the current w10 and turn it into a VM or .vdhx with macrium and boot on it, install the software, do your job there.
- next time, the awesome option of using VHDs can be considered: Installing a Fresh Windows OS to a New Bootable VHD with no Host OS for Boot to VHD with the tutorial here
https://johnpapa.net/bootoffmetal/