Upgrade Windows 10 to LTSC: A Step-by-Step Guide to Retain Your Data

Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC: A Step-by-Step Guide

Upgrading from Windows 10 to the Windows 10 Enterprise Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) edition is a viable option for users seeking extended support. This comprehensive process involves editing system Registry settings, downloading the appropriate ISO file, and executing the setup procedure for an in-place upgrade.

As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft will officially discontinue support for regular Windows 10 editions. Users still wishing to receive security updates may consider upgrading to either Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, which is supported until January 12, 2027, or Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021, offering support until January 13, 2032. It’s essential to note that finding the required ISO file might be a challenge.

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC is specifically tailored for standard desktops and offers five years of support, whereas Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC caters to industrial applications and provides a decade of updates for devices like ATMs and kiosks. Both variants necessitate Volume Licensing (VL) or OEM licensing from Microsoft, meaning a legitimate commercial product key is essential for activation. Although historically available for public download, users can still locate the ISO on the Archive.org website.

Step 1: Confirm Your Current Windows 10 Version

Before upgrading, you need to verify your existing version of Windows 10. Here’s how:

Open the Start menu.
Type Command Prompt (or Terminal) and click the top result to open it.
Input the following command to display your version details and press Enter:

dism /online /get-intl
Check the system location, e.g., en-US.

These steps will provide you with crucial information regarding the language version necessary for your upgrade.

Step 2: Download the Windows 10 LTSC ISO File

To acquire the Windows 10 LTSC ISO, proceed with these steps:

Visit the Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC download page.
Select the “ISO Image” option.
Download and save the Windows 10 LTSC 2021 ISO file to your computer.

After downloading, the ISO can be mounted using File Explorer, allowing you to start the upgrade procedure after making the required Registry edits.

Step 3: Modify Registry Entries for the Upgrade

To enable the upgrade to Windows 10 LTSC, it’s necessary to adjust specific Registry settings:

Open the Start menu.
Search for regedit and select it to access the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
Modify the EditionID key to EnterpriseS.
Update the ProductName key to Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC.
Change the ReleaseID key to 21H2.
Set the DisplayVersion key to 21H2.
Adjust the CurrentBuild key to 19044.
Finally, modify the CurrentBuildNumber key to 19044.
Close the Registry and do not restart your computer.

After these modifications, you can proceed with upgrading to Windows 10 LTSC using the ISO file you previously downloaded.

Step 4: Execute the Upgrade from Windows 10 Pro to Enterprise LTSC

You can effectively perform an in-place upgrade from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC without needing a USB drive by following these steps:

Launch File Explorer.
Locate the folder containing your downloaded LTSC ISO file.
Right-click the ISO file, choose “Open with, ” and select “Windows Explorer.”
Access the mounted drive from the left navigation pane.
Double-click the Setup.exe to initiate the installation.
(Optional) You can modify how Windows Setup downloads updates by selecting the Not right now option.
Click Next to proceed.
Accept the terms by clicking Accept.
Select the Install option to keep your files and apps during the upgrade.

Upon completion, the upgrade process for Windows 10 LTSC will commence, prompting several restarts. After the upgrade is finalized, remember to activate your installation with a valid LTSC product key.

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