Unified Write Filter (UWF)
Redirect all disk writes to a RAM overlay. The device returns to a clean state on every reboot โ ideal for kiosks, retail terminals, and unattended appliances.
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Windows IoT Enterprise
Microsoft's dedicated IoT client operating system for fixed-function devices โ kiosks, POS terminals, medical equipment, and industrial controllers. Purpose-built licensing, 10-year LTSC lifecycles, and IoT-exclusive lockdown features not available in standard Windows.
Windows IoT Enterprise is the OEM-licensed edition of Windows 10/11 designed for embedded and fixed-function devices. It includes every IoT-exclusive feature โ Unified Write Filter, Keyboard Filter, Removable Packages, Kiosk mode โ and is available in two licensing channels. Choosing the right channel is the most important decision when designing a Windows IoT device.
IoT-Exclusive Features
Removable Packages
Strip OS components from the Windows Component Store to produce lean, minimal images. LTSC 2024 supports up to 36 removable packages (up from 20 in LTSC 2021).
Kiosk & Restricted User Experience
Lock the device to a single app or constrained desktop with full UI restriction. Multi-app kiosk mode for public-facing terminals with Windows 11 look-and-feel.
Keyboard Filter & Soft Real-Time
Block individual key combinations or sequences at the driver level. Configure process priority management for time-sensitive workloads on the same hardware.
Current Releases
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024
Latest LTSC generation. 10-year lifecycle through October 2034. ARM64 + x64, Wi-Fi 7, USB 4.0, TPM 2.0 required. Up to 36 removable packages.
Full Details โWindows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021
Proven x64 platform with 10-year lifecycle through January 2032. Includes Removable Packages and Soft Real-Time. Ideal for existing x86/x64 hardware.
Full Details โWindows 11 IoT Enterprise (GAC)
General Availability Channel โ annual H2 feature releases, 36 months support per version. ARM64 + x64. For products with shorter hardware refresh cycles that benefit from staying current.
LTSC vs GAC at a Glance
| LTSC | GAC | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Long-Term Servicing Channel | General Availability Channel |
| Support duration per release | 10 years | 36 months |
| Feature updates | None โ locked at release | Annual (each H2 release) |
| Security updates | Yes, monthly Patch Tuesday | Yes, monthly Patch Tuesday |
| Release cadence | Every ~3โ4 years | Annual (25H2, 24H2, 23H2โฆ) |
| Upgrade required | Optional โ within 10-year window | Required every 36 months |
| ARM64 support | Yes (LTSC 2024 onward) | Yes |
| IoT-exclusive features (UWF, Keyboard Filter, etc.) | Yes | Yes |
| GAC-exclusive features | No | Latest Windows 11 features immediately |
| Certification / regulated use | Strongly recommended | Possible with planning |
| License type | Perpetual per device | Perpetual per device |
Available (EOL โฅ 2026) No longer available Today (2026)
LTSC โ Long-Term Servicing Channel
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What LTSC Is
LTSC is a Windows IoT release where the feature set is permanently locked at the release date. The operating system receives only quality and security updates throughout its 10-year supported lifecycle. No new features, no UI changes, no new default apps are ever pushed to the device after deployment.
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10-Year Lifecycle Guarantee
Each LTSC release is supported for exactly 10 years from its general availability date, receiving monthly quality and security updates throughout. The lifecycle chart above shows the current and past LTSC releases with their start and end-of-life dates.
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Who Should Use LTSC
LTSC is the correct choice for any device where:
- The device has a regulatory certification (CE, FDA, IEC 62443, ISO 13485) that would be invalidated by OS feature changes
- The device is deployed in a location with no or limited remote management (kiosks, field equipment, production machinery)
- The device must run the same software unchanged for 5โ10 years
- The OEM cannot afford re-validation or re-certification after OS changes
- The device is in a safety-critical or mission-critical environment (medical, aviation, industrial control)
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IoT-Exclusive LTSC Features
All IoT-exclusive lockdown and management features are available in LTSC:
- Unified Write Filter (UWF): Protect storage from writes โ ideal for kiosk, retail, and embedded appliances
- Keyboard Filter: Block individual key combinations or key sequences
- Removable Packages: Strip OS components from the component store to create minimal, lean images. LTSC 2024 supports up to 36 removable packages (up from 20 in LTSC 2021)
- Restricted User Experience (Kiosk mode): App-constrained desktop with Windows 11 look-and-feel
- Soft Real-Time: Process priority management for time-sensitive workloads
- WDAC / App Control for Business: Enforce allowed software lists via policy
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LTSC and New Hardware Generations
A new LTSC release typically arrives every 3โ4 years, aligned with major hardware and Windows generations. When new hardware requiring Windows 11 support enters your BOM, purchasing a new LTSC license and creating a new image is the recommended path. Upgrading from one LTSC version to another requires a new license purchase โ downgrade rights are not available between LTSC generations.
GAC โ General Availability Channel
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What GAC Is
GAC (formerly called SAC โ Semi-Annual Channel) is the IoT edition of the standard annual Windows 11 release cycle. Microsoft publishes a new GAC feature release each autumn (e.g., 25H2, 24H2, 23H2). Each GAC release is supported for 36 months from its general availability date.
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Annual Updates and 36-Month Support
Unlike LTSC, GAC devices receive full feature updates annually. The device can optionally stay on a specific feature version for up to 36 months before that version reaches end of service. After 36 months, the device must be updated to a newer GAC release to continue receiving security updates. Current and recent GAC release dates are shown in the lifecycle chart below.
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Who Should Use GAC
GAC is the right choice when:
- The device product line is updated regularly (new hardware models, annual software refreshes)
- The device benefits from new Windows 11 features as soon as they are available (new APIs, new drivers, new hardware platform support)
- The OEM product cycle is shorter than 3 years โ the 36-month maximum GAC window fits the hardware lifecycle
- The application is not subject to regulatory re-certification after OS updates
- The device is centrally managed via Intune, WSUS, or another MDM that can coordinate staged updates
Available (EOL โฅ 2026) No longer available Today (2026)
Decision Guide โ LTSC or GAC?
Choose LTSC ifโฆ
โ Your device has a 5โ10 year deployment lifecycle
โ You require regulatory certification (FDA, CE, IEC 62443)
โ OS changes could break your application
โ The device is in an air-gapped or limited-connectivity environment
โ You need maximum Removable Package support for minimal images
โ Your device is safety-critical (medical, industrial, transportation)
Choose GAC ifโฆ
โ Your product ships new hardware revisions annually or bi-annually
โ Your application uses new Windows APIs and benefits from staying current
โ You actively manage device fleets with Intune or similar MDM
โ The 36-month window aligns with your product refresh cycle
โ Your device is in a managed enterprise environment with controlled update pipelines
Ask Us
Not sure which channel fits your product? Elbacom has been advising OEMs and system integrators on Windows IoT licensing since 2000. We review your hardware BOM, deployment lifecycle, and regulatory requirements and give you a clear recommendation. Contact us for a free licensing assessment.