Long Term Servicing Channel

Beckhoff distributes Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Enterprise from the LTSB/LTSC channel only. The renaming from LTSB (Long Term Servicing Branch) to LTSC (Long Term Servicing Channel) by Microsoft is only for marketing purposes.

LTSC are versions of operating systems (OS) from Microsoft designed for the use in embedded systems. These OS versions are designed for embedded devices targeting a wide market, ranging from small-footprint, real-time devices used in Industrial Controllers or HMI panels. LTSC operating systems are available to OEM (original equipment manufacturer) system builders, who make it available to end users preloaded with the hardware.

LTSB/LTSC vs CBB/SAC

The following graph illustrates the differences between Beckhoff LTSC and SAC (Semi Annual Channel, previously named CBB – Current Branch for Business).

The Windows versions seen in the following graph consist of the following parts:

Long Term Servicing Channel 1:
LTSC vs SAC

As of February 2022, in SAC the updates to new Windows versions are performed automatically. In LTSB/LTSC is no upgrade to new release versions and there are no feature upgrades within the same version. LTSB/LTSC also has no update obligation for security and quality updates (more information here).

Each LTSB/LTSC version is a stand-alone operating system and not an update of a previous version. Thus, they are not license compatible (more information here).

Beckhoff distributes the following versions:

Windows versions at Beckhoff

Windows version

OS build

Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB: 1607

14393.xxxx

Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC: 1809

17763.xxxx

Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC: 21H2

19044.xxxx

Both versions coexist. Customers can still get the same version used before.

LTSB/LTSC as an “Industrial” operating system

LTSB/LTSC images come with advantages for the industrial field. They mainly consist of the following (status February 2022):