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Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC in Volume License

  • Article
  • Applies to:
    ✅ Windows 11, ✅ Windows 10

Applies to:

✅ Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024

✅ Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021

Introduction

Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC is now available as an upgrade license for fixed-function, specialized devices through Volume Licensing programs including:

For more information, see Windows Desktop Operating System Program Terms

Important

Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC is intended for use for fixed-function specialized devices only and cannot be used as a replacement of Windows desktop for general purpose computing.

Planning

Volume activation provides two ways to complete volume activations. You can use either key types to activate systems in their organization:

For more information, see Plan for Volume Activation.

Prerequisites

To deploy Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC with volume activation, you need the following assets from your Volume License Administrator, typically associated with the procurement process.

  • Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 (x64) installation media or ISO
  • Multiple Activation Key (MAK) if you are not using an on-prem Key Management Service (KMS)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 (x64) installation media or ISO
  • Multiple Activation Key (MAK) if you are not using an on-prem Key Management Service (KMS)

Getting Started

In this section, you install Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 and prepare for activation using either KMS or MAK.

  1. Install Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024
    Using the media for Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 acquired through your Volume license Service Center or Visual Studio Subscription.

  2. Start PowerShell with Administrator privileges.
    You use this instance of PowerShell to verify the target operating system meets requirements then perform the transformation.

    • Select Start
    • Type PowerShell
    • Right-click Windows PowerShell
    • Select Run as administrator

  3. Install a product key
    By default Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 is configured to automatically activation using an on-premises key management service (KMS). You don't need to install a product key if you plan to keep the device in an environment where it can reach the KMS server regularly.

    Skip the following step if you don't intend to use MAK activation.

    • Multiple Activation Key (MAK)
      In this step you use the command line utility slmgr.vbs /ipk to install a Multiple Activation Key that you acquired through the Volume License Service Center.

      slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

      Where XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX is your Multiple Activation Key (MAK)

  4. Check activation status

    slmgr /dli

    1. If not activated, requestion activation

      slmgr /ato

  5. Confirm activation expiry Run the following command at the PowerShell command prompt to verify the expiry of your volume license activation.

    slmgr /xpr

    If you're using MAK activation, a message indicating that the machine is permanently activated appears.

    If you're using KMS client activation, a message appears with a date that your current volume activation expires. Your device attempts to sync with the on-premises Key Management Service and renew its activation periodically.

In this section, you install Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 then transform it into Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 using a 5-by-5 volume activation key associated with the activation model that best suits your needs.

  1. Install Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021
    Using the media for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 acquired through your Volume License Service Center or Visual Studio Subscription.

  2. Install Latest Cumulative Updates
    The activation keys for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 require the installation of 2023-05 Cumulative update (10.0.19044.2905) or a more recent successor.

    • Select Start
    • Select Settings
    • Select Windows Update
    • Select Check for Updates
    • Install all available updates

    Alternatively, you can install the update and its prerequisites manually using the 2023-05 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 21H2 or a more recent successor. For more information about this update, see KB5026361.

  3. Start PowerShell with Administrator privileges.
    You use this instance of PowerShell to verify the target operating system meets requirements then perform the transformation.

    • Select Start
    • Type PowerShell
    • Right-click Windows PowerShell
    • Select Run as administrator

  4. Verify the Windows version and edition
    Run the following command from the PowerShell prompt to retrieve the version and edition information.

    Dism /Online /Get-CurrentEdition

    The following properties are required to continue to the next step:

    • ImageVersion : 10.0.19044.2905 or later
    • Current Edition : EnterpriseS

  5. Install a product key
    In this step you use the command line utility slmgr.vbs /ipk to install a product key associated with your desired activation model.

    1. KMS Client
      Install the Generic Volume License Key (GVLK) for Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC if you plan to activate using an on-premises key management service.
      GVLK: KBN8V-HFGQ4-MGXVD-347P6-PDQGT

      slmgr /ipk KBN8V-HFGQ4-MGXVD-347P6-PDQGT

    2. Multiple Activation Key (MAK)
      Install the Multiple Activation Key that you acquired through the Volume License Service Center.

      slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

      Where XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX is your Multiple Activation Key (MAK)

  6. Verify transformation
    Upon successfully installing the product key associated with your volume license activation model, the operating system edition changes to IoTEnterpriseS. Run the following command at the PowerShell prompt to confirm.

    Dism /Online /Get-CurrentEdition

    You should now see the same ImageVersion but the Current Edition changed to IoTEnterpriseS as follows:

    • ImageVersion : 10.0.19044.2905 or later
    • Current Edition : IoTEnterpriseS

  7. Check activation status

    slmgr /dli

    1. If not activated, requestion activation

      slmgr /ato

  8. Confirm activation expiry Run the following command at the PowerShell command prompt to verify the expiry of your volume license activation.

    slmgr /xpr

    If you're using MAK activation, a message indicating that the machine is permanently activated appears.

    If you're using KMS client activation, a message appears with a date that your current volume activation expires. Your device attempts to sync with the on-premises Key Management Service and renew its activation periodically.

Deployment

Licensing & Procurement

For organizations purchasing IoT Enterprise LTSC through a via volume license agreement, consult your Volume License Administrator for assistance. The software download and volume license keys are found in the Downloads and Keys section of Volume Licensing Service Center or Microsoft 365 admin center.