Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC for your cabinet build?

[jarr3]

I just installed "Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC" on my new cabinet.

 

What is "Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC"?

According to Microsofts page:

Quote

 

Overview

Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC is built on the popular Windows operating system and delivers the same compatibility, management, security, and servicing that you are already familiar with.   
This software is intended to facilitate IT professionals, device makers and software developers in the evaluation of Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC for use in building or deploying long-lifecycle, fixed-function, specialized Windows devices in their environment.

 

Description
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC is intended for fixed-function, special-purpose devices that require a long support lifecycle of 10 years. These devices are typically found in industries including banking, quick-service restaurants, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and retail.

Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC is based on the same foundation as Windows Professional and Windows Enterprise, delivering the same compatibility, security and management capabilities required for commercial deployments. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC provides additional capabilities to lockdown the device experience for public facing or employee facing scenarios along with the ability to customize the operating system footprint.

Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC is available for both x64 and ARM64 architecture.

 

Why should you want to install  "Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC"?

 

IMHO, the description above, coming from Microsoft, it is exacly what you would want from an installed Virtual Pinball cabinet.

- I do not need any functionallity updates, only security related

- I do not want any new surprises each time I start my cabinet.

- I still want to have a safe environment with security updates.

- Hopefully get rid of the weird boot questionaire coming once in a while

 

Additionally there are some nice things coming with this version:

- It does not have the TPM and higher CPU requirements (!) that win 11 has now (without tricks, which we do not know how long they will work)

- You should not have to hassle with any new windows versions for the next 10 years!

 

This is my personal experience from installing "Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC"?

 

Before you now read this and want to comment, that it isn't possible to buy a license.

I was told from a local official Microsoft Dealer, that I can buy a  "Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC" license without a problem!

Edited April 1, 2025 by jarr3

[jarr3]

Finding the ISO file for Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC isn't that easy, though I found 

 

en-us_windows_11_iot_enterprise_ltsc_2024_x64_dvd_f6b14814.iso Size: 5144817664 Bytes  having a SHA-256 value: 

4f59662a96fc1da48c1b415d6c369d08af55ddd64e8f1c84e0166d9e50405d7a

If you download it from somewhere, always check the SHA-256 value before usage! You can use 7-Zip -> right click -> CRC SHA -> SHA-256

 

Once downloaded, you just boot a stick with your iso and enter the license bought and it installs just fine!

 

Edited March 30, 2025 by jarr3

[jarr3]

I am using UniGetUI on my computers. It is easy to auto update standard utilities and programs which are available through WinGet, Scoop, Chocolatey, Pip, Npm, .NET Tool, PowerShell Gallery and more.

It is also possible to create a package file from a computer with all your usual tools installed. Then you can export this package file and have UniGetUI install all the same tools on your second machine.

 

The VPin tools are not available using UniGetUI, but many of the surrounding tools are... (Notepad++, 7-Zip, winmerge and so on)

 

Looking at the package file and comparing it to the same on the Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC install, I see that many of the included Video extensions are missing in Iot LTSC...

 

• HEVC Video Extensions
• MPEG-2 Video Extension
• Raw Image Extension
• VP9 Video Extensions
• Webp Image Extensions

 

They can be installed later using https://store.rg-adguard.net/ by entering the windows store url in the search, if needed...

Does anyone know if they are all needed?

 

Edited April 4, 2025 by jarr3

[jarr3]

Installing Baller Installer:

 

I did the standard Baller Installer install and launched Pinup Popper, the first table included worked like a charm!

Edited March 30, 2025 by jarr3

[jarr3]

I reinstalled the Win 11 IoT LTSC because there were still too many annoying applications being added.

 

This time I installed it using a usb stick prepared with ventoy and an autounattend.xml file using an online tool from schneegans.

 

And I did not add the media extensions mentioned above. Much nicer!

 

Sofar I have not met any problems.

[jarr3]

I have now installed Pinvol and added some configuration to merge pinup windows:

 

# This will make one entry for all active PinUp forms. This way it will stay at the same level for all of them.
Program = displayName:"PinUpMenu",appType:"PinUpMenu",exe:"pinupmenu.exe"
Program = displayName:"PinUpDisplay",appType:"PinUpMenu",exe:"pinupdisplay.exe"

# In case a window hangs, all these windows would be saved to one entry in pinvol
Program = displayName:"Not Responding",windowPattern:".*Not Responding.*"

 

Newer versions of pinvol needs EqualizerAPO, which allow precise volume control on all channels.

 

So as described in the pinvol documentation I add one line to the EqualizerAPO config: (without the # comments)

 

config.txt:
    Preamp: -6 dB
    Include: example.txt
    GraphicEQ: 25 0; 40 0; 63 0; 100 0; 160 0; 250 0; 400 0; 630 0; 1000 0; 1600 0; 2500 0; 4000 0; 6300 0; 10000 0; 16000 0
    Include: PinVolSSF.txt # to make pinvol changes active
    Copy: L=0.5*L+1.0*C R=0.5*R+1.0*C   # activate virtual center channel in left and right speaker

 

Edited April 14, 2025 by jarr3

[jarr3]

Since Popper is now working well and it has the strange effect to create new empty folders for all tables played (even non PUP tables) I add my one liner in the startup script.

 

REM Delete all empty PUPVideos folders

powershell -command "dir -Directory  C:\vPinball\PinUPSystem\PUPVideos | where {($_ | dir).Count -eq 0} | rmdir"

 

[jarr3]

About the Hardware...

 

I have installed the following components:

 

Main PC: ZBOX EN153060 a small factor Intel Core i5-11400H (6-Core 2.7 GHz, up to 4.5 GHz) with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

Playfield: ASUS ROG Swift PG329Q 32 Inch WQHD Gaming Monitor with 175 Hz, 1ms GtG, G-Sync , DisplayHDR 600 Fast IPS Panel, 16:9, 2560x1440

Backglass: LG 28MQ780 Dualup 

 

Soundcard: StarTech 7.1 USB Audio Adapter External Sound Card

Speakers: Xcite Xtreme XT32-4 Exciter

Playfield amplifier: Audio System CO40.4 (in german) 4 channel car / motorcycle amplifier 4 * 40w

Power: MeanWell LRS-350 350W 12V 29A

             Noname 5V

 

Buttons/Plunger... : Dude's Cab V1 32 button inputs including 5 with ultra-low latency.

Light controller: Teen cab

 

Edited April 16, 2025 by jarr3

[jarr3]

Personally I like the MX controlled led's more than using separate RGB channels.

I have therefore installed 5 MX Button PCB boards and I am working with DOF config tool development to be able to increase MX support even where none is configured.

[jarr3]

Now after installing everything I get an ugly loud groundloop sound when the computer is turned off...

After a lot of research I have now installed an Adum3166 USB 2.0 Digital Isolator which at least brings it down to a level where it is ok.

 

Do you have any experience with this problem?

[SilasVaughn]

On 4/16/2025 at 11:08 AM, jarr3 said:

Now after installing everything I get an ugly loud groundloop sound when the computer is turned off...

After a lot of research I have now installed an Adum3166 USB 2.0 Digital Isolator which at least brings it down to a level where it is ok.

 

Do you have any experience with this problem?

Yes, I am facing it too.

Edited April 30, 2025 by SilasVaughn

[jarr3]

I have been using the system for a couple of weeks now.

Not once have I seen one of those annoying "we want you to fill in something" screens. 

 

IMHO Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC is the way to go with a machine like a vpin cabinet!

[jarr3]

On the weekend I installed P-Roc together with the perfect version of Cactus Canyon… CC Continued. Works perfect!

I heard the standard win 11 have started to block python which currently would mean no CCC.

[jarr3]

On 4/30/2025 at 8:00 AM, SilasVaughn said:

Yes, I am facing it too.

I switched out the usb soundcard to an hdmi 7.1 audio extractor. Now all the ground loop noise is gone…

 

*EDIT*  

This is the one I got:

ROLINE HDMI 4K Audio Extractor LPCM 7.1

Fabrikant ‏ : ‎ ROLINE ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00VFNYBM4 Modelnummer item ‏ : ‎ 14013442

 

Search for B00VFNYBM4 on amazon

 

They exists in different brands but with big variation in price.

 

Edited December 11, 2025 by jarr3
Added more info about the audio extraktor

[deadmanworking]

@jarr3 just wanted to let you know that I remembered this post when finally faced with switching my mobo and doing a completely new install and also went with IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024, what a relief that OS is thanks for your continuing input!

[jarr3]

1 hour ago, deadmanworking said:

@jarr3 just wanted to let you know that I remembered this post when finally faced with switching my mobo and doing a completely new install and also went with IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024, what a relief that OS is thanks for your continuing input!

Thanks for confirming

[SilasVaughn]

On 12/2/2025 at 11:21 AM, jarr3 said:

I switched out the usb soundcard to an hdmi 7.1 audio extractor. Now all the ground loop noise is gone…

Thank you.