Windows 11 vs. Windows 10 (LTSC)

By Ahad Lodhi

Windows 10 operating system is developed for personal computers, embedded devices as a successor to previous versions of Microsoft’s operating systems such as Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. Windows 10 comes up with later features to keep up with growing IT environment by providing security and reliability updates, while in previous update user had to wait for a new version of Windows for updates. Windows 10 also keeps with personal and by providing user friendly GUI. And developing environment user by Windows Insider program get updates previews. 

Windows 11 as its predecessor Windows 10 comes as LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) product comprised of Windows updates and support. As Microsoft’s tech community page has announced the same as previous upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10, the major updates are Application management and GUI (graphical user interface). But as for this time GUI and App management is more bending towards the environment of an android smartphone making it more compatible for home users. As for IT professional and corporate sector, it has more security updates, new hardware requirements, compatibility requirements, a new Microsoft store and its upgrade comes free for users. 

Microsoft Windows also comes up with many different features for IT professionals, with respect to changes in editions and product lines for Windows 10 and Windows 11 features may differ but as for common features such as: 

Updates and Upgrade control

Windows Update for Business has been introduced for Pro, Enterprise and education editions Local Group Policy Editor to set policies to delay updates or remove previous updates. 

Security Enhancement

In Windows new features have been added to authenticate device and online services using features like Windows Hello, Microsoft Passport, Trusted boot, Measured boot, Windows Defender and Windows SmartScreen. As for data security, Enterprise Data Protection (Remote Business Data Removal in Windows 8.1) and Pervasive Device Encryption. 

Virtualization

Windows includes in built-in virtualization platform called Client Hyper-V. Windows uses same hypervisor as Windows server. Its main purpose was to provide a testing environment to IT professional and developers without affecting production environment.  

Recovery and troubleshooting

Windows users previously (versions earlier than Windows 10) relied on “wipe and load” for most issues with Windows devices. As for now Windows, it comes with its own recovery environment with advanced features such as; 

  • System Restore: You can use this option to choose a restore point created earlier and restore the system configuration. 
  • System Image Recovery: Choosing this option replaces everything on the computer with a system image, including images created using the Windows Backup utility from Windows 7 or later. (In Windows 10, this utility is available in the desktop Control Panel. Under System & Security, choose File History, and then click the System Image Backup link in the lower-left corner.) 
  • Startup Repair: If you choose this option, Windows attempts to diagnose and automatically correct common boot problems. 
  • Command Prompt: This option opens an administrative command prompt, where you can use command line tools such as Bootrec and Bcdedit. 

End-of-support

Support cycle for variates with respect to editions: 

Editions     Release Date End of Support Date 

Windows 10: 

Windows 10, version 21H2 (W)      16 Nov 2021 13 Jun 2023  

Windows 10, version 21H2 (E)      16 Nov 2021 11 Jun 2024 

Windows 11, version 21H2 (W)      04 Oct 2021 10 Oct 2023 

Windows 11, version 21H2 (E)      04 Oct 2021 08 Oct 2024 

Windows 10, version 21H1 (E)(W) 18 May 2021      13 Dec 2022 

Microsoft will continue to support at least one Windows 10 release until October 14, 2025. 

Windows 11

Windows 11 Home (21H2)             Oct 4, 2021 10 Oct 2023 

Windows 11 Pro (21H1)                  Oct 4, 2021 10 Oct 2023 

Windows 11 Education(21H1)       Oct 4, 2021 8   Oct 2024 

Windows 11 Enterprise (21H1)      Oct 4, 2021 8   Oct 2024 

In conclusion: Windows 10 or Windows 11?

Considering major upgrades in Windows 11: 

GUI

Windows 11 provides a display as of what a user would get in his/her Android phone. Start Menu moving to the center being more customizable and providing additional options like Share, App settings, rate and review buttons by right clicking icon tiles in Start menu. As for widgets, in Windows 10 it provides a more refreshed and user-friendly environment to new users.  

App Management

As for, application management Windows 11 comes with more integrated applications such as Microsoft Teams, android application (also known as .apk files) support and a New Microsoft store designed for both Microsoft and Android store apps.  

Initialization

Windows 11 requires a Microsoft account for initial configuration while Windows 10 does not, making it more secure and accessible in a cloud-based environment. 

Windows 11 as LTSC

Just as Windows 10, Windows 11 will also receive security and quality fixes on a monthly basis on “Patch Tuesday” which means updates shall come up at the second Tuesday of each month at 10:00 AM PST. And a feature update is to be released annually. Windows 11 support variates with respect to versions. For Enterprise and Education editions will receive support for 36 months of general availability. Home, Pro, Pro for workstations and Pro for Education will receive support for 24 months of general availability.