What's new in Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024
Overview
Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC is designed for specialty devices and use cases where functionality and features remain constant for the life of the device. Examples are devices that require regulatory certification or devices that perform a critical business function using the same operating system version over several years. These devices are typically found in industries including, but not limited to, banking, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing and retail.
We designed Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC with these use cases in mind. We support each Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC release for 10 years, and ensure that features and functionality don't change over the course of that 10-year lifecycle.
With every new Windows release comes exciting new features and capabilities - Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 is no different. This article provides a high level overview of notable updates in this release that are of interest to device makers and IT Pros.
Availability
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 is available for Windows IoT Enterprise device makers through an authorized Windows IoT Distributor for building new devices. Windows IoT Enterprise is intended for fixed purpose devices with specific allowances and restrictions in the license agreement. For more information, see Licensing and Usage or contact an authorized Windows IoT Distributor for further assistance.
Upgrade
Upgrading from one version of Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC to the next version requires a new license. If your device came preinstalled with a previous version of Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC, contact your device maker to see if they offer upgrades for your device.
Servicing Lifecycle
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 continues to offer a 10-year support lifecycle, which includes quality updates distributed via Windows Update monthly.
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 follows the Fixed Lifecycle Policy.
| Release Version | Build | Start Date | End of Servicing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 IoT Enterprise, version 24H2 | 26100 |
Windows IoT Spotlight
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 release includes the cumulative enhancements provided by the following annual releases as well as features that are unique to the LTSC release:
- Windows 11 IoT Enterprise, version 24H2
- Windows 11 IoT Enterprise, version 23H2
- Windows 11 IoT Enterprise, version 22H2
- Windows 11 IoT Enterprise, version 21H2
| Feature [Release] |
Description |
|---|---|
| Hardware Requirements | System requirements are updated to provide more flexibility to device makers. For more information, see Minimum Hardware Requirements for Windows IoT Enterprise |
| Restricted User Experience [23H2] |
Restricted User Experience (formerly Multi-App Kiosk Mode) supports the creation of a controlled user experience while maintaining the familiar look and feel of the Windows 11 desktop. Ideal for shared devices that require access to more than one app, admins can configure a curated experience to limit distractions and potential tampering points while focusing the experience around the device's dedicated purpose. |
| Removable Packages | Removable package support for Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC expanded from 20 to 36 removable packages. For more information, see Removable Packages. |
| Wireless Display | The Wireless Display optional feature is now available for Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC, allowing other devices to wirelessly project to a device running Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC. Requires Miracast-compatable hardware. For more information, see Screen mirroring and projecting to your PC. |
Accessibility
| Feature [Release] |
Description |
|---|---|
| Windows accessibility [22H2] |
Improvements for people with disabilities: system-wide live captions, Focus sessions, voice access, and more natural voices for Narrator. For more information, see: • New accessibility features coming to Windows 11 • How inclusion drives innovation in Windows 11 • Accessibility information for IT professionals. |
| Braille displays [23H2] |
Braille displays work seamlessly and reliably across multiple screen readers, improving the end user experience. We also added support for new braille displays and new braille input and output languages in Narrator. For more information, see Accessibility information for IT professionals. |
| Narrator improvements [23H2] |
Scripting functionality was added to Narrator. Narrator includes more natural voices. For more information, see Complete guide to Narrator |
Applications
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise is built on the same foundation as Windows 10 IoT Enterprise. Hence, you can use the same tools and solutions you use to manage Windows 10 IoT Enterprise devices today to deploy, manage, and secure your Windows 11 IoT Enterprise devices.
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise preserves the application compatibility promise made with Windows operating systems. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise doesn't require changes to existing support processes or tooling to build, deploy, or keep your applications up to date.
Most accessories and associated drivers that work with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise are expected to work with Windows 11 IoT Enterprise. Check with your accessory manufacturer for specific details.
| Feature [Release] |
Description |
|---|---|
| Internet Explorer | Internet Explorer (IE) is no longer available in Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024. However, you can use IE Mode if a website needs Internet Explorer. For more information, see Internet Explorer (IE) Mode |
| Microsoft Edge [21H2] |
The Microsoft Edge browser is the default browser. For information about configuring Microsoft Edge on Windows, see Configure Microsoft Edge policy settings on Windows devices. |
| Windows applications on ARM | Windows 11 IoT Enterprise adds support for running x64 applications without modification on ARM64 processors. For more information, see Windows on ARM processor |
| Arm64EC (“Emulation Compatible”) | Code built as Arm64EC is interoperable with x64 code running under emulation within the same process. The Arm64EC code in the process runs with native performance, while any x64 code runs using emulation that comes built-in with Windows 11. For more information, see Arm64EC - Build and port apps for native performance on Arm |
Security
The security and privacy features in Windows 11 are similar to Windows 10. Security for your devices starts with the hardware, and includes OS security, application security, and user & identity security. There are features available in the Windows OS to help in these areas. This section describes some of these features. Microsoft's Edge Secured-core Program provides recommended hardware with these features to ensure security out of the box. For a more comprehensive view, including zero trust, see Windows security.
| Feature [Release] |
Description |
|---|---|
| Windows Security app [21H2] |
Windows Security app is an easy-to-use interface, and combines commonly used security features. For example, your get access to virus & threat protection, firewall & network protection, account protection, and more. For more information, see the Windows Security app. |
| Security baselines [21H2] |
Security baselines include security settings that are already configured, and ready to be deployed to your devices. If you don't know where to start, or it's too time consuming to go through all the settings, then you should look at Security Baselines. For more information, see Windows security baselines. |
| Microsoft Defender Antivirus [21H2] |
Microsoft Defender Antivirus helps protect devices using next-generation security. When used with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, your organization gets strong endpoint protection, and advanced endpoint protection & response. If you use Intune to manage devices, then you can create policies based on threat levels in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. For more information, see: • Microsoft Defender Antivirus • Microsoft Defender for Endpoint • Enforce compliance for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint |
| Application Security [21H2] |
The Application Security features help prevent unwanted or malicious code from running, isolate untrusted websites & untrusted Office files, protect against phishing or malware websites, and more. For more information, see Windows application security. |
| Microsoft Pluton [22H2] |
Pluton, designed by Microsoft and built by silicon partners, is a secure crypto-processor built into the CPU. Pluton provides security at the core to ensure code integrity and the latest protection with updates delivered by Microsoft through Windows Update. Pluton protects credentials, identities, personal data, and encryption keys. Information is harder to be removed even if an attacker installed malware or has complete physical possession. For more information, see Microsoft Pluton security processor. |
| Enhanced Phishing Protection [22H2] |
Enhanced Phishing Protection in Microsoft Defender SmartScreen helps protect Microsoft passwords against phishing and unsafe usage. Enhanced Phishing Protection works alongside Windows security protections to help protect sign-in passwords. For more information, see: • Enhanced Phishing Protection in Microsoft Defender SmartScreen • Protect passwords with enhanced phishing protection in the Windows IT Pro blog. |
| Smart App Control [22H2] |
Smart App Control adds significant protection from malware, including new and emerging threats, by blocking apps that are malicious or untrusted. Smart App Control helps block unwanted apps that affect performance, display unexpected ads, offer extra software you didn't want, and other things you don't expect. For more information, see Smart App Control. |
| Credential Guard [22H2] |
Credential Guard, enabled by default, uses Virtualization-based security (VBS) to isolate secrets so that only privileged system software can access them. Unauthorized access to these secrets can lead to credential theft attacks like pass the hash and pass the ticket. For more information, see Configure Credential Guard. |
| Malicious and vulnerable driver blocking [22H2] |
The vulnerable driver blocklist is automatically enabled on devices when Smart App Control is enabled and for clean installs of Windows. For more information, see recommended block rules. |
| Security hardening and threat protection [22H2] |
Enhanced support with Local Security Authority (LSA) to prevent code injection that could compromise credentials. For more information, see Configuring Additional LSA Protection. |
| Passkeys in Windows [23H2] |
Windows provides a native experience for passkey management. You can use the Settings app to view and manage passkeys saved for apps or websites. For more information, see Support for passkeys in Windows. |
| Windows passwordless experience [23H2] |
Windows passwordless experience is a security policy that promotes a user experience without passwords on Microsoft Entra joined devices. When the policy is enabled, certain Windows authentication scenarios don't offer users the option to use a password, helping organizations and preparing users to gradually move away from passwords. For more information, see Windows passwordless experience. |
| Web sign-in for Windows [23H2] |
You can enable a web-based sign-in experience on Microsoft Entra joined devices, unlocking new sign-in options, and capabilities. For more information, see Web sign-in for Windows. |
| Federated sign-in [23H2] |
Federated sign-in is a great way to simplify the sign-in process for your users: instead of having to remember a username and password defined in Microsoft Entra ID, they can sign-in using their existing credentials from the federated identity provider. For more information, see Configure federated sign-in for Windows devices. |
| Windows Hello for Business authentication improvement [23H2] |
Peripheral face and fingerprint sensors can be used for Windows Hello for Business authentication on devices where Enhanced Sign-in Security (Secure Biometrics) enabled at the factory. For more information, see Common questions about Windows Hello for Business. |
| LAPS native integration [23H2] |
Use Windows Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) to regularly rotate and manage local administrator account passwords. For more information, see Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) |
Servicing
Like Windows 10, Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 receives monthly quality updates. Some updates are large, and use bandwidth.
| Feature [Release] |
Description |
|---|---|
| Windows Updates and Delivery optimization [21H2] |
Delivery optimization helps reduce bandwidth consumption. It shares the work of downloading the update packages with multiple devices in your deployment. Windows 11 updates are smaller, as they only pull down source files that are different. You can create policies that configure delivery optimization settings. For example, set the maximum upload and download bandwidth, set caching sizes, and more. For more information, see: • Delivery Optimization for Windows updates • Installation & updates • Manage updates in Windows |
| Control Windows Update notifications [22H2] |
You can now block user notifications for Windows Updates during active hours. This setting is especially useful for organizations that want to prevent Windows Update notifications from occurring during business hours. For more information, see Control restart notifications. |
| Organization name in update notifications | The organization name now appears in the Windows Update notifications when Windows clients are associated with a Microsoft Entra ID tenant. For more information, see Display organization name in Windows Update notifications. |
Management
| Feature [Release] |
Description |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Intune [21H2] |
Microsoft Intune is a mobile application management (MAM) and mobile device management (MDM) provider. It helps manage devices, and manage apps on devices in your organization. You configure policies, and then deploy these policies to users and groups. You can create and deploy policies that install apps, configure device features, enforce PIN requirements, block compromised devices, and more. If you use Group Policy to manage your Windows 10 devices, then you can also use Group Policy to manage Windows 11 devices. In Intune, there are administrative templates and the settings catalog that include many of the same policies. Group Policy analytics analyze your on-premises group policy objects. |
| Control Windows Update notifications [22H2] |
You can now block user notifications for Windows Updates during active hours. This setting is especially useful for organizations that want to prevent Windows Update notifications from occurring during business hours. For more information, see Control restart notifications. |
| Organization name in update notifications | The organization name now appears in the Windows Update notifications when Windows clients are associated with a Microsoft Entra ID tenant. For more information, see Display organization name in Windows Update notifications. |
| Start menu layout [22H2] |
New Configuration Service Providers (CSPs) for customizing the start menu layout. These CSPs allow you to hide the app list and disable context menus. For more information, see Supported configuration service provider (CSP) policies for Windows 11 Start menu. |
| Declared configuration protocol [23H2] |
Declared configuration protocol is a new protocol for device configuration management based on a desired state model and uses OMA-DM SyncML protocol. It allows the server to provide the device with a collection of settings for a specific scenario, and the device to handle the configuration request and maintain its state. For more information, see What is the declared configuration protocol. |
| Control File Explorer Home Recommended section [23H2] |
Configure the Recommended section added to File Explorer Home for users signed into Windows with a Microsoft Entra ID account. For more information, see DisableGraphRecentItems. To configure using Local Group Policy Editor, see Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\File Explorer\Turn off files from Office.com in Quick Access View. |
| Taskbar Button Policies [23H2] |
Policies to customize taskbar buttons were added to provide you with more control over the taskbar search experience across your organization. For more information, see Supported taskbar CSPs. |
| Control Start Menu Recommended section [23H2] |
Configure the Recommended section of the Start Menu, which displays personalized website recommendations. For more information, see HideRecoPersonalizedSites. To configure using Local Group Policy Editor, see Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Start Menu and Taskbar\Remove Personalized Website Recommendations from the Recommended section in the Start Menu. |
User Experience
| Feature [Release] |
Description |
|---|---|
| Task Manager [22H2]/[23H2] |
A new command bar was added to each page to give access to common actions. Task Manager matches the system wide theme configured in Windows Settings. Added an efficiency mode that allows you to limit the resource usage of a process. Process filtering, theme settings, and the ability to opt out of efficiency mode notification were added to Task Manager. |
| Taskbar overflow menu [23H2] |
The taskbar offers an entry point to a menu that shows all of your overflowed apps in one spot. |
| Taskbar Optimize for touch [23H2] |
Taskbar touch optimization is available for devices that can be used as a tablet. Once enabled, the user can switch between a collapsed taskbar, saving screen space, and an expanded taskbar, optimized for touch. The taskbar changes to this optimized version when you disconnect or fold back the keyboard on a 2-in-1 device. To enable or disable this feature on a tablet capable device, go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors. See also February 28, 2023 - KB5022913 |
| File Explorer Tabs [23H2] |
File Explorer includes tabs to help you organize your File Explorer sessions. |
| Windows Ink as input [23H2] |
Windows Ink allows users to handwrite directly onto most editable fields |
| Uninstall Win32 app [23H2] |
Selecting Uninstall for a Win32 app from the right-click menu uses the Installed Apps page in Settings rather than Programs and Features in Control Panel. For more information, see September 2023 - KB5030310 |
| Dev Drive [23H2] |
Dev Drive is a new form of storage volume available to improve performance for key developer workloads. For more information, see Set up a Dev Drive on Windows 11 and September 2023 - KB5030310. |
| High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) support [22H2] |
HEVC is designed to take advantage of hardware capabilities on some newer devices to support 4K and Ultra HD content. For devices that don't have hardware support for HEVC videos, software support is provided, but the playback experience might vary based on the video resolution and your devices performance. |