Microsoft

           Microsoft's IoT/Embedded Product Portfolio

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021:

Microsoft continues the Windows IoT Enterprise roadmap with their next release. Released in Fall 2021, Windows IoT Enterprise 2021 has many new features and product enhancements. These include silicon support expansion, reduction of up to 40 % in the size of the operating system, and over-the-air (OTA) updates. Users have the ability to run Linux workloads via Linux Containers with Azure IoT Edge on Windows.

With the LTSC (Long term servicing channel) servicing model, customers can delay receiving feature updates and instead only receive monthly quality updates on devices. Features from Windows 10 that could be updated with new functionality, including Cortana, Edge, and all in-box Universal Windows apps, are also not included.

The Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC version will continue to have a 10-year support lifecycle, consistent with existing LTSC versions. Feature updates are offered in new LTSC releases every 2–3 years instead of every 6 months, and organizations can choose to install them as in-place upgrades, or even skip releases. Microsoft is committed to providing bug fixes and security patches for each LTSC release during the extended LTSC servicing lifecycle.

Why do Industrial Computers Use Windows 10 IoT?

The main reason users use Windows 10 Enterprise IoT LTSC 2021 in their industrial computers is to have full control over the operating system. There are many cases where users use a traditional general-purpose build of Windows for their industrial application and run into malfunctions due to automatic system updates and system failures. These costly events can cause detrimental downtime in mission-critical scenarios. Windows 10 IoT allows users to gain full access to Windows update scheduling, controlled boot, and other features that benefit the stability and reliability of their industrial computers.

Comparing Windows 11 IoT and Windows 10 IoT Operating Systems

The best fit Microsoft OS for industrial devices designed in 2022 , 2023 & 2024 1H is Windows 10 IoT LTSC 2021. The Windows 10 platform has been deployed in millions of devices and is tested and proven. Countless security updates and bug fixes have made it incredibly stable and straightforward to integrate.

Azure IoT Edge for Linux on Windows (EFLOW)

Leverage the best of Windows IoT and Linux on a single hardware. Edge devices in manufacturing, retail, healthcare, signage, and transportation rely on Windows IoT operating systems due to long-term support, lock-down capabilities, and advanced security features. While Windows IoT offers many advantages, Linux brings a wide developer ecosystem and an extensive portfolio of pre-validated modules for AI.  Developers no longer need to choose between Windows or Linux – they can leverage the best of both platforms.

Microsoft is now giving developers the ability to build with both Windows IoT and Linux, together on a single hardware. With Azure IoT Edge for Linux on Windows (EFLOW) developers run containerized Linux workloads alongside Windows applications. This opens a world of capabilities for commercial IoT as well as AI/ML with the availability of pre-built modules.

Running Linux modules on Windows IoT offers the advantages of both Windows IoT and Linux while accelerating new product development and enabling new possibilities.