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.
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