Windows 10 IOT

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise is the new platform of the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system tailored for creating connected and smart devices. This operating system, based on Windows 10, is particularly suited for professional devices in various sectors such as retail, manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and industry.

The Windows 10 IoT Enterprise edition is part of the Windows 10 IoT edition. It consists of 3 versions namely:

• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise
• Windows 10 IoT Core
• Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise is the logical continuation of the Embedded family of Windows. This version is particularly well-suited to run efficiently in x86 environments that are not necessarily part of the PC family. Since this version is x86 compatible, it can run virtually all current Desktop applications (Desktop or Universal Desktop - UAP). Furthermore, it is capable of running older applications created decades ago. There are two versions of Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, namely an LTS (Long Term Support) primarily composed of security patches and a version that receives regular updates following the development of Windows 10.

The licenses for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise are intended for Microsoft OEM partners.

At Integral System, for industrial use, we recommend using Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB to avoid forced feature updates that are never desirable in a stability-focused environment.

Microsoft has introduced new pricing for the Windows IoT Enterprise edition. Indeed, from now on, the price of licenses is associated with the processors used across 3 pricing tiers:

Entry : The lowest pricing tier for PCs equipped with an Atom / Celeron Processor
Value : An average pricing tier for PCs equipped with an Intel iCore i3 or Intel iCore i5 processor
High End : The highest pricing tier for PCs equipped with an i7+ processor
New : Integral System presents in detail Windows 10 IoT LTSB Enterprise, the stable version without forced Windows updates on this page. 

IMPORTANT : Windows 10 IoT cannot be sold separately unless you hold a CAL (Client Access License). This version is OEM and cannot be sold separately from the hardware.

The  Windows mobile version is now called Windows 10 IoT Mobile which has its roots in the Windows Phone 8 and Windows CE operating systems. This version is therefore particularly suited for mobile environments such as barcode readers. It is important to note that this version does not support classic Desktop applications but only universal applications (Universal Applications).

 Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise licenses are intended for Microsoft OEM partners.

Windows 10 IoT Core is the new line of operating system tailored for embedded devices by Microsoft. While previously Windows Embedded was only intended for Microsoft OEM partners, this new version is available to everyone. Windows 10 IoT Core is the continuation of the Windows RT (Real Time) lineage. Windows 10 IoT Core is compatible with ARM and x86 architectures. Since this version is created to run on a wide range of architectures with limited resources, standard Desktop applications are not compatible. Of course, universal applications (Universal Apps) are indeed compatible. However, note that applications are limited in their development to the WinRT stack.

Below are the main differences between Windows 10 IoT Core and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise :

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise Features Windows 10 IoT Core The main differences Full version of Windows. Accepts Win32 and UAP applications. Mainly suited for IoT gateways. Accepts only UAP applications. License Activation Online and offline activation OA3.0 No activation required Activation/Deactivation Features EWF and Overlays, USB Filter, Filter for dialog boxes and notifications, Filter for mouse or keyboard inputs, AppLocker and Interface Control, Filter for the Shell and application launcher USB Filter, Filter for shell and applications, Filter for application launcher Processor x86 x86 and ARM - 400Mhz and above SOC Intel and AMD Intel, Qualcomm, and Broadcom RAM 1Gb for 32-bit processors / 2Gb for 64-bit processors 256 Mb for 32-bit processors / 512 Mb for graphical interface support Storage 16 Gb (32-bit) / 20 Gb (64-bit). Possibility for SD Card expansion. 2Gb Flash (4Gb for graphical interface). Possibility for SD Card expansion. Display XGA (1024x768) or higher with 32bit colors. (1024x600 with suitable drivers). None, or a simple graphical buffer 720p/1080p+ HDMI / optional 3D GPU. Minimum processor power Dual Core, 1Ghz Single Core, 400Mhz Latest generation shell Yes No Mobile Voice No No Support for classic applications Yes No Universal App (UAP) Support Yes Yes Targeted devices Industry / Medical and ATM, Handheld clients, POS, Industrial tablet, Digital display / Kiosk IoT Gateways

These versions can be customized (Image configuration) using the following tools:

• Image Configuration Designer (ICD)
• Assessment & Deployment Kit (ADK)

The Enterprise version of Win IoT offers two versions by default that can be activated depending on your needs. LTSC for Long-Term Servicing Channel is the version that provides the least updates aside from security updates. The second, Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) offers updates every 6 months in addition to security patches.

It is important to note that updates, even security ones, can take particularly long to install on hardware that has low-power or ultra-low-power processors (from the Atom or Celeron range) or on hardware equipped with mechanical hard drives.

Microsoft has just released the latest branch of Windows 10 IoT Enterprise called LTSC 2019 based on the latest version of Microsoft Windows 10. This version offers the following OPK:

• Win10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2019 1809 32/64 EMB English
• Win 10 1809 32/64/ARM64 MultiLang OPK LangPackAll/LIP
• Win 10 1809 32-bit MultiLang OPK Feat on Demand    
• Win 10 1809 64-bit MultiLang OPK Feat on Demand

Attention: To access this new version, it is impossible to perform an update from the previous LTSC. The update system will not offer this update. A complete reinstallation is necessary if you wish to benefit from this new release. It includes the latest updates for Windows 10 without the store and the Edge browser. It is also subject to Microsoft support for a duration of 10 years.

A new LTSC (Long Term Service Channel) version has been announced by the Redmond company: the 2021 edition, also known as Microsoft Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021. Just like its predecessors, it is currently announced with a lifespan of 10 years, but no definitive release date has been announced yet. Many new features are on the agenda, such as: Extended support for Intel and NXP chips, integration of Azure's Linux containers for Edge Computing, a reduced memory and storage footprint (16GB of storage for 2GB of RAM), ... 

For now, no information has leaked regarding the update possibilities from Windows IoT Enterprise 2019, but it seems that compatibility is unlikely. Feel free to contact us if you would like to know more! Our partners like Advantech are already working on this new iteration to develop compatible drivers and applications.

The updates to version 11 of Microsoft Windows are being deployed, and you have certainly seen it arrive in your update manager module. However, currently, the Windows 11 IoT Enterprise is not yet available. Feel free to discover it through our dedicated blog post. For now, no official date has been announced regarding its availability, but it should be close to the year 2024.

The different editions of Windows 10 IoT and Windows 10 LTSC and Windows 10 LTSB have a well-defined lifecycle by Microsoft. The Mountain View publisher has revealed a clear strategy regarding the support duration and lifecycle of its new operating system Windows 10:

• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2015 LTSB: Initial availability date: July 29, 2015, End of mainstream support date: October 13, 2020, End of extended support date: October 14, 2025
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB: Initial availability date: August 2, 2016, End of mainstream support date: October 12, 2021, End of extended support date: October 13, 2026
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 LTSC: Initial availability date: November 13, 2018, End of mainstream support date: January 9, 2024, End of extended support date: January 9, 2029 

Would you like to know more? Do you have a project and need advice?

Feel free to contact us at 04 37 69 72 00 or directly via our contact page.