Windows 10 IoT Enterprise FAQ
What is Windows 10 IoT Enterprise?
The Windows 10 IoT Enterprise operating system is a full version of Windows 10 that delivers enterprise manageability and security to IoT solutions.
Microsoft has provided operating systems for embedded devices for decades. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise is the latest in the line of “Embedded”
operating systems based on Microsoft’s mainstream Windows offering. Microsoft’s embedded OS offerings began with NT Embedded, followed by XP
Embedded and Windows 7 Embedded. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise is Microsoft’s most secure release that includes broad device management options
and advanced features for IoT solutions. The latter includes machine learning, container support, natural user interface, and simple connectivity to
Azure IoT.
How is Windows 10 IoT Enterprise different from other Windows 10 editions?
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise is functionally equivalent to Windows 10 Enterprise, which is Microsoft’s most secure, easy to manage, and productive
Windows operating systems for large and midsized businesses. The difference is that Windows 10 Enterprise is licensed through Microsoft Volume
Licensing (tied to end user at time of purchase) and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise is licensed directly to IoT device builders (OEMs) and includes rules
around dedicated use devices.
What kind of devices can I build with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise?
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise edition allows you to build fixed purpose devices with specific allowances and restrictions in the license agreement.
A fixed purpose device differs from a general-purpose device in the following ways:
> The device is locked down to a single application or fixed set of applications through the Assigned Access or Shell Launcher features.
> The device powers-on immediately to the experience when received by the end-customer. This is achieved by configuring the device image to skip
the normal Windows out-of-box experiences.
> Keyboards, USB ports, and device policies are locked down to constrain the device to be used only in its fixed purpose.
> The OEM licenses the device to the user with the software attached to the device as a complete product and passes through specific Windows
terms in their own agreements.
> The OEM provides the end-customer support for their complete product including the functions performed by the operating system.
Can I run classic Windows apps on Windows 10 IoT Enterprise?
Windows 10 is the most compatible version of Windows and we have extensive compatibility tools.
What are the minimum hardware system requirements with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise?
Minimum requirements:
> 1 GHz faster X86 or X64 CPU
> 1 GB RAM (2 GB for 64-bit)
> 16 GB Storage (20 GB for 64-bit)
How can I get Windows 10 IoT Enterprise?
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise is licensed to Microsoft IoT device builder partners. You can acquire your licenses through Arrow Electronics who is an
authorized Microsoft distributor for the IoT Channel. Arrow Electronics also provides technical support. Contact them at
[email protected]arrow.com
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise FAQ
How can I learn more about Windows 10 IoT Enterprise?
Microsoft has many resources on the web starting with general information here: Windows IoT the foundation for your intelligent edge and
technical information here: An overview of Windows 10 IoT Enterprise. You can also locate videos and blogs from the Arrow Electronics website
here: The differentiation in innovation
Why should customers choose Windows 10 IoT Enterprise?
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise is Microsoft’s most advanced and secure version of Windows ever. Since it is Windows, customers can leverage existing
skills and infrastructure for management and development. It has excellent application compatibility with Windows Embedded 7 applications, devices
and peripherals. It also includes releases in the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) for devices and stability with 10 years of support. It is also built to
connect with Azure IoT to seamlessly and securely bring the power of the cloud to your IoT solutions.
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC
What does LTSC mean?
LTSC stands for Long-Term Servicing Channel and is intended for devices that need a longer servicing period. These include dedicated devices, such
as industrial controllers, medical equipment, point-of-sale systems, and ATMs. These devices typically perform a single important task, so they don’t
need feature updates. It’s more important that these devices be kept as stable and secure as possible. LTSC releases are supported for 10 years from
release. The LTSC servicing model prevents Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC devices from receiving the usual feature updates and provides only quality
updates to ensure that device security stays up to date. As a result, LTSC releases don’t include components that receive continuous updates like the
Microsoft Edge browser, the Microsoft Store for applications, Cortana and other applications.
In contrast, Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) releases are designed for general purpose laptops and PCs that benefit from the latest features to improve
productivity. These releases come out twice a year and are supported for 18-30 months.
What is Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC?
It is the latest LTSC release of Windows 10 IoT Enterprise and came out in November 2018. It is supported until 1/9/2029.
For more detail on lifecycles, see Arrow Electronics’ Microsoft Lifecycle page at: Lifecycle
What new features are coming in Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC?
The table below highlights the new features since Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSC.
1703 SAC (RS2) 1709 SAC (RS3) 1803 SAC (RS4) 1809 LTSC (RS5)
> New Point-of-Service > Multi-app Assigned Access for > Autologin Kiosk setup via MDM > LTSC release with 10
peripherals UWP and Win32 apps > Assigned Access (AA) (w/Intune) years of OS support
> Power & performance > eSIM support for data & Shell Launcher CSPs > Windows ML runs
optimization > Usermode bus access with > Multi-app AA for a group of on device with GPU
> Windows Hello enhancements RhProxy authorized users acceleration
> Cortana Wake-On-Voice Preview > Multi-monitor support for AA Preview
enablement > Container hosting > Kiosk app status monitoring via > Azure IoT Edge
> Virtualization-based Security > Device Health Attestation MDM support to move cloud
> Windows wireless docking > Azure IoT Services: Edge, > General Data Protection computing to the
> Windows Miracast projection Device Provisioning Service & Regulation (GDPR) compliance Intelligent Edge
Management support
arrow.com 2
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise FAQ
Can customers obtain license rights for multiple OS versions?
In general, Microsoft provides a license right for one OS version, so a customer must pay for each LTSC version. There are a couple other license rights
for specific customer scenario’s, namely:
Migration Rights, Microsoft provides “Migration Rights” for up to 12 months with new OS releases. This supports customers that intend to use the
latest OS up to 12 months to install the latest version. The customer purchases a device with the latest OS release (e.g. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise
2019 LTSC), then can use an earlier version (e.g. windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSC) for up to 12 months before moving to the latest version.
These rights are primarily used to support new OS testing and in-process deployment scenarios.
If a customer purchases a new device with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 Migration Rights, are they eligible to move to Windows
10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC for free?
No, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC is separately licensed and the customer will need to purchase a new license. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise
2019 LTSC Field Upgrade SKU’s are available for this scenario when the customer is ready to adopt Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC.
Are existing Windows customers eligible to move to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC for free?
No, in general each LTSC is a new operating system supported for 10 years and will require customers to purchase a new license.
How can existing Windows 10 IoT Enterprise customers move to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC?
Existing customers with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2015/2016 LTSB will need to purchase a Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC Field Upgrade.
Windows Embedded 7 End of Support
When does support end for Windows Embedded 7?
The table below provides the end of support dates for Windows Embedded 7 versions.
Product Lifecycle Start Date Mainstream Support End Date Extended Support End Date
Windows Embedded Standard 7 Service Pack 1 2/28/2011 10/13/2015 10/13/2020
Windows 7 for Embedded Systems Service Pack 1 2/22/2011 1/13/2015 1/14/2020
Windows Embedded POSReady 7 9/10/2011 10/11/2016 10/12/2021
Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 3/10/2009 4/8/2014 4/9/2019
Definitions for Mainstream and Extended support can be found here: Fixed Lifecycle Policy
arrow.com 3
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise FAQ
Can customers get Extended Security Updates for Windows Embedded 7?
Yes, Extended Security Updates are available for up to 3 years after end of support. The program provides ‘critical’ security updates. Contact your
device OEM for more details.
Critical security updates are defined here https: Security Update Severity Rating System
Can Windows Embedded 7 customers upgrade to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise?
The simplest way to find out if an upgrade is possible is by contacting the device OEM. The other method is to verify that all of the hardware and
software is supported by Windows 10 IoT Enterprise and purchase Software Assurance through Microsoft Volume Licensing channel. With the latter
option, the support responsibility shifts from the OEM to Microsoft and the customer becomes responsible for creating and maintaining system images.
When is the next LTSC?
The next LTSC release hasn’t been announced. Microsoft never publishes feature updates through Windows Update on devices that run Windows 10
IoT Enterprise LTSC. Instead, it typically offers new LTSC releases every 2–3 years, and organizations can choose to install them or even skip releases
over a 10-year life cycle.
Via Email
[email protected]
Online
arrow.com/arrow-services/msembedded
twitter.com/arrow_services
facebook.com/ArrowFiveYearsOut
linkedin.com/showcase/arrowservices
youtube.com/ArrowFiveYearsOut
©2020 Arrow Electronics, Inc. Arrow and the Arrow logo are
registered trademarks of Arrow Electronics, Inc. All other product
names and logos are trademarks of their respective manufacturers
18_02/2020
