Windows 10 LTSC 2021 or Windows 11 LTSC 2024? For new devices, Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024 is the obvious choice: it is serviced until October 9, 2029. Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 already ends on January 12, 2027 and is only still worthwhile if the hardware does not meet the Windows 11 requirements or an application explicitly requires Windows 10. If a device is to run longer, the IoT Enterprise releases with a ten-year lifecycle are the right comparison: 2021 until January 13, 2032, 2024 until October 10, 2034.
Quick decision
| Your situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| New device, meets the Windows 11 requirements | Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024 |
| New device, is to run longer than until 2029 | Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 |
| Older hardware without TPM 2.0 or with an unsupported processor | Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 (until 2032) |
| Application is only certified for Windows 10 | Windows 10 LTSC 2021, for a longer lifecycle the IoT release |
| 32-bit hardware | Windows 10 only; Windows 11 is not available as a 32-bit version |
| Existing Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 | plan the switch before January 12, 2027 |
Lifecycles compared
| Release | Corresponds to | Available since | End of mainstream support | End of support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024 | Windows 11 24H2 | October 1, 2024 | October 9, 2029 | October 9, 2029 |
| Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 | Windows 11 24H2 | October 1, 2024 | October 9, 2029 | October 10, 2034 |
| Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 | Windows 10 21H2 | November 16, 2021 | January 12, 2027 | January 12, 2027 |
| Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 | Windows 10 21H2 | November 16, 2021 | January 12, 2027 | January 13, 2032 |
| Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 | Windows 10 1809 | November 13, 2018 | January 9, 2024 | January 9, 2029 |
Two things stand out. First: the Enterprise releases 2021 and 2024 only have a five-year lifecycle, the IoT releases ten. Second: the earlier release LTSC 2019 runs longer than LTSC 2021, namely until January 9, 2029. Microsoft itself points out that LTSC 2021 is not a direct replacement for LTSC 2019 because of the shorter lifecycle. So if you run LTSC 2019, you gain no time by switching to the Enterprise release 2021.
The end of support for the normal Windows 10 on October 14, 2025 does not affect the LTSC releases. Microsoft writes that existing LTSC releases continue to receive updates according to their own lifecycles. What applies to Windows 10 Home and Pro is covered under
Windows 10 end of support: what to do now.
Hardware
| Requirement | Windows 10 LTSC 2021 | Windows 11 LTSC 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz | 1 GHz, 2 cores, 64-bit, supported processor |
| Memory | 1 GB (32-bit), 2 GB (64-bit) | 4 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB | 64 GB |
| Firmware | BIOS or UEFI | UEFI, Secure Boot capable |
| TPM | not required | TPM 2.0 |
| Graphics | DirectX 9 with WDDM 1.0 | DirectX 12 with WDDM 2.0 |
| 32-bit version | Yes | No |
The values for Windows 10 are the general minimum requirements of Windows 10, those for Windows 11 the ones of Windows 11. For the IoT releases, Microsoft additionally states lower optional minimum values for special-purpose devices: for Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC these are 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of storage, BIOS instead of UEFI, and TPM as well as Secure Boot are optional. This can tip the balance if older industrial PCs are to keep running. Details:
Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC explained.
Features
Windows 11 LTSC 2024 includes the new features from four Windows 11 versions (21H2 to 24H2):
- The Windows 11 interface and File Explorer, with tabs and support for 7-Zip and TAR archives in the context menu
- Stricter default security settings, for example for SMB connections
- Improvements in accessibility and Remote Desktop
- No more Internet Explorer; old web applications run in IE mode in Microsoft Edge
Windows 10 LTSC 2021 corresponds to Windows 10, version 21H2 and includes the new features of versions 1903 to 21H2. Microsoft’s note applies to both releases: apps and tools that were developed for the regular Windows release may only have limited support.
Which release an application supports is decided by its vendor. Ask them before you commit. For control and measurement software, certification is often tied to a specific Windows version.
Typical cases
New point-of-sale systems for a branch. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024. Experience shows that such devices are meant to run longer than five years; the IoT release is serviced until October 2034.
Laboratory computer from 2017 without TPM 2.0, the measurement software runs on Windows 10. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 keeps the computer supplied with security updates until January 2032. The Enterprise release 2021 would only last until January 2027.
Twenty control room PCs with Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021. The end of support on January 12, 2027 is approaching. Check now whether the hardware can run Windows 11, and plan the switch to LTSC 2024.
System with Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019. No pressure to act until January 2029. A switch to the Enterprise release 2021 would shorten the lifecycle.
Normal office workplace. None of the LTSC releases. Windows 11 Pro is intended for that, see
Windows 11 LTSC 2024: who it is intended for.
Switching between the releases
Each LTSC release is a separate product. To switch to a newer release you need a license for that release; Microsoft states this explicitly for the IoT line. According to Microsoft, you can install new LTSC releases as an in-place upgrade over the existing installation or skip individual releases. Test this on one device beforehand and back up the data.
At VivaKeys
Windows 11:
Windows 10:
- Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021
- Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021
- Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019
- Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2019
You can find all releases under
Operating systems. All editions of Windows 11 are compared in the overview
Windows 11 editions at a glance.
Frequently asked questions
How long will Windows 10 LTSC 2021 be supported? Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 until January 12, 2027. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 until January 13, 2032.
How long will Windows 11 LTSC 2024 be supported? Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024 until October 9, 2029. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 until October 10, 2034.
Is Windows 10 LTSC affected by the end of support for Windows 10? No. The date October 14, 2025 applies to the regular editions of Windows 10. According to Microsoft, the LTSC releases follow their own lifecycles.
Can I upgrade from Windows 10 LTSC 2021 to Windows 11 LTSC 2024? Microsoft provides for new LTSC releases to be installed as an in-place upgrade over the existing installation. You need a license for LTSC 2024 for this, and the hardware must meet the Windows 11 requirements.
Why does Windows 10 LTSC 2019 run longer than LTSC 2021? LTSC 2019 still has the earlier ten-year lifecycle. With LTSC 2021, Microsoft shortened the lifecycle of the Enterprise release to five years. Only the IoT Enterprise releases keep ten years.
Does Windows 11 LTSC 2024 run on a PC without TPM 2.0? The Windows 11 requirements apply to the Enterprise release, i.e. TPM 2.0. Only for the IoT release does Microsoft state optional minimum requirements under which TPM and Secure Boot are not required.
Sources
Checked on 2026-11-10 against the publisher’s information:
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/ltsc/overview
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/ltsc/whats-new-windows-11-2024
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/ltsc/whats-new-windows-10-2021
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-11-enterprise-ltsc-2024
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-11-iot-enterprise-ltsc-2024
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-enterprise-ltsc-2021
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-iot-enterprise-ltsc-2021
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-enterprise-ltsc-2019
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/release-information
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-home-and-pro
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/windows-11-requirements
- support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-system-requirements-6d4e9a79-66bf-7950-467c-795cf0386715
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/iot/iot-enterprise/Hardware/System_Requirements