In context: Formerly known as Windows Embedded, the Windows IoT Enterprise family of operating systems includes Windows editions that Microsoft sells to businesses for “small form factor” PCs, point-of-sale devices, and other embedded devices. Windows IoT editions are simple to install, even with hardware components that Microsoft does not officially support.
A recently discovered “trick” to bypass Windows 11’s system requirements check during OS installation is much more effective than initially thought. The same workaround works for Windows IoT, which is simply your regular Windows experience with the ability to take up less storage space on smaller devices.
Originally discovered earlier this month, the trick uses a one-click method to avoid going through system requirements checks when installing Windows 11. Users simply need to choose the Windows 11 IoT edition Enterprise LTSC, which is a specialized version of the operating system designed for specific hardware, and the installation phase will completely skip checking hardware compatibility.
Windows Server Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) edition comes with a new major upgrade released every 2 to 3 years. Users are entitled to five years of standard support and an additional five years of extended support. Microsoft says Windows Server LTSC provides a “long-term maintenance option” and consistency.
I just found out that this also applies to Windows 11 IoT Enterprise Standard Edition (non-LTSC) when selected in Windows Setup.
It’s pretty clear that IoT Enterprise is the TOP edition of Windows 11, no need to circumvent BS system requirements with workarounds! ð https://t.co/ErkbaNglZ8 pic.twitter.com/SzKaNRwbWO
– Bob Pony (@TheBobPony) April 20, 2024
The same user who shared the workaround tip for LTSC editions confirms that it also works for non-LTSC Windows, starting with version 24H2. Bob Pony tweeted that the secret to this method lies in choosing the “IoT Enterprise” option when installing Windows 11. The IoT edition is identical to regular Windows versions, except that users can change it to compact hardware with smaller storage limits.
Microsoft designed Windows LTSC for businesses and organizations that want to avoid installing frequent Windows updates or trying new features in their unfinished state. Windows IoT benefits from the same experience as regular Windows consumer editions and can now also be installed on older systems, thanks to the recently discovered one-click workaround method.
As PC users know, Windows 11 came with high hardware requirements, which made the option to upgrade from Windows 10 unavailable on many systems. Resourceful users soon discovered that Microsoft left many “alternative” methods to bypass the system requirements check, allowing them to still install the operating system. However, the company is apparently willing to go as far as making newer versions of Windows 11 simply incapable of running on older processors due to lack of support for x86 instructions.
