I’ll soon be assembling a new PC and I need to figure out which version of Win 11 to use. I’ve not been able to find a good discussion of using IoT or LTSC for a “daily driver” gaming and productivity PC.
I’ll want to make use of a lot of Windows features like virtualization, the ability to run Android apps, and the Linux subsystem. I don’t need all the new feature updates immediately, but I also don’t want to be running an antique OS… Just a debloated one.
If you’ve navigated these waters I would love to hear about your experience.
LTSC is extremely feasible for gaming and productivity. As Codilingus already said, you can get the ISO and activation from MASSGRAVE’s site.
Depending on your requirements, you’ll probably quickly figure out you need MS Store for one thing or another (the inconvenience of having pretty much everything removed) so you’ll need a tool like this to install the store and, you can use Chris Titus’ Wintool to turn off the spyware. It also has a program downloader built in with a long list of useful software to help speed up your initial setup process.
most debian based distros are good…
I also don’t want to be running an antique OS… Just a debloated one.
This is not a Windows forum, so I feel justified in pointing out that in that case you should probably avoid Microsoft products entirely.
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution though. OP has asked specifically for information regarding Windows and even specifically mentions Linux in the post so it’s fair to say they’re aware of it and choose to stay on Windows.
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC is hands down the best! A nearly naked fresh Windows install. Just Defender and Edge. And even then, a lot of the performance impacting Defender options are unavailable due to the W11 version.
It’s still my go to for gaming. Once it’s all set up, it just stays out of the way, and runs as lean as modern Windows can.
I highly, highly recommend adding StartAllBack on top of it. Makes the bottom toolbar much, much better.
I always use a single copy/paste Winget command to install nearly everything in one go, without needing any interaction for each install. Also allows updating installed programs with a single command.
Massgrave.dev for ISO’s and activation.
Edit: For some features, you have to be comfortable using Powershell as admin. I myself have to Powershell install 2 AppX packages before I can use Winget. If you go with this version feel free to message me for help.
If you guys don’t want to use command lines, get uniget ui, it’s a really nice interface for winget
I wouldn’t bother with LTSC. Just install Enterprise/Education and disable feature updates.
Linux
Ive been enjoying https://universal-blue.org/ lately.
If you go windows you will have to use a version with the windows store to make it worth using.
MS Store can be installed on LTSC quite easily so it’s very possible to still have the bloat-free version.
+1 I went from windows 11 >>> Bazzite OS. Never looked back.
+1 bazzite as well. It comes with waydroid for android apps, its Linux (so WSL covered), it does have a gaming focus, it has various Virtualization tools (toolbox, box-buddy) but you can get other options depending on what you actually want.
Don’t like it you can rebase to one of the other ostree based images from uBlue or fedora with about one command and a reboot.
+1 for Bazzite 💖
Linux Mint, of course!
That’s not what was asked.
I use CachyOS on my gaming rig and it has been outstanding. The only ting that doesn’t work is the EA app.
This looks great, I have EA via Bottles currently for BF3/4 would love to switch to this. Totally get why it doesn’t support BF3, BF3 using a browser launcher for the PC version was insanely stupid
Oh nice, I’ll give this a shot! I tried installing the EA app through Lutris — it worked, but I can’t install any games.
I don’t have any experience with win 11, but all I can tell you is that my dual booted win 10 iot ltsc 2021 edition just werks for me, same as any other windows, although I only use it for some VR games currently or some software that doesn’t support Linux.
I’ll want to make use of a lot of Windows features like virtualization, the ability to run Android apps, and the Linux subsystem.
Just stick with regular windows 11. Windows updates don’t come out that often, and feature updates can be ignored for 6+ months.
There’s a lot of bloat in the commercial versions of Windows, both 10 and 11. It’s easy to install the MS store on LTSC and for those who don’t need/want the features, the bloat is entirely pointless.
