Windows 11 LTSC and Windows 11 IoT LTSC are built for stability. They’re designed for environments like kiosks, ATMs, digital displays, and industrial machines where reliability matters more than features. But many people install LTSC on their personal PC or virtual machine because it’s lightweight, fast, and free from unnecessary apps or advertisements.
The moment you boot into a fresh LTSC system, the minimalism becomes obvious. Icons are missing, photos won’t open, videos refuse to play, games won’t start, and the Microsoft Store simply doesn’t exist.
So if your goal is to use LTSC as a daily desktop operating system, you’ll need to add back only the essential components — selectively, carefully, and in a way that preserves LTSC’s clean, stable nature.
This guide walks you through everything you should install, why you need it, and how each part turns LTSC into a comfortable desktop-like experience.
🖼️ 1. Installing Essential Microsoft Apps (Photos, Paint, Calculator, etc.)
Before diving into technical frameworks and codecs, let’s start with something simple: opening basic files. LTSC strips away modern apps, leaving only bare-bones legacy tools. That’s fine for machines meant to run one job forever — but not for everyday use.
Intro
Think of this section as equipping a newly rented apartment. The walls are ready and the floor is clean, but you still need a bed, a table, and some lights. These apps are your “essentials.”
Microsoft Photos
LTSC does not include a modern photo viewer. Without it, JPEG, HEIC, and many cameras’ formats cannot open properly.
Download Microsoft Photos (Official):
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9WZDNCRCWFPR
If you want a lighter alternative, Microsoft also provides Photos Legacy, which feels closer to older Windows versions.
Photos Legacy (Official):
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9MV0B5HZVK9Z
Microsoft Paint (Modern Version)
The LTSC build includes classic Paint, but not the modern version with expanded editing tools.
Download Modern Paint:
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9PCFS5B6T72H
Microsoft Calculator
The legacy calculator works, but the modern app includes scientific, programmer, graphing, and currency features.
Download Calculator:
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9WZDNCRFHVN5
If you prefer a minimalist system, you may keep the legacy versions — LTSC doesn’t force you to upgrade.
🎮 2. Setting Up Xbox App and the Microsoft Store
On IoT LTSC, the Microsoft Store does not exist by default.
However, if you want to install modern apps, or need Xbox Game Pass / cloud saves / controller pairing features, you will need the Store and Xbox dependencies.
Intro
This part is like building the doorway to Microsoft’s entire ecosystem. You may not use it often, but without this doorway many modern apps cannot be installed.
Steps
To install the Store correctly, the safest method is through Microsoft-provided dependencies:
- Install the Xbox App (Official):
https://www.xbox.com/en-US/apps/xbox-app-for-pc - The Xbox App will prompt you to install dependencies like:
- App Installer
- Game Bar
- Xbox Game Services
- Feedback Hub
- After these components install, restart your PC.
- The Microsoft Store will now appear in your Start menu.
This is the cleanest, most stable way to reintroduce Store functionality into LTSC.
📚 3. Enabling Modern File Support (HEVC, HEIC, VP9, WebP, Web Media Extensions)
Fresh LTSC installations cannot open modern image and video formats.
Without these extensions, websites may show blank thumbnails, photos may fail to open, and even some apps may crash.
Intro
This section is crucial — even if you skip everything else. These extensions give LTSC the “media brain” it was never designed to have.
Required Extensions
All available from the Microsoft Store:
- HEIF Image Extensions (Free)
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9PMMSR1CGPWG - WebP Image Extensions
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9PG2DK419DRG - VP9 Video Extensions
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9N4D0MSMP0PT - Web Media Extensions
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9N5TDP8VCMHS
About HEVC (H.265)
HEVC extensions are paid because of licensing restrictions, but many users download them from preinstalled OEM package sources.
For safety and legality, this article will only recommend the official version:
HEVC Video Extensions (Paid, Official):
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9NMZLZ57R3T7
Once all these are installed, image viewing, video playback, and browser support behave exactly like a standard Windows 11 installation.
🧩 4. Installing .NET Framework Versions (Old & New)
Many apps won’t run without .NET support — especially older utilities, emulators, torrent clients, modding tools, and some enterprise installers.
Intro
Think of .NET frameworks as the “language pack” your apps need to communicate with Windows. LTSC keeps these minimal for security and stability, but you’ll likely need them.
Must-Have Runtimes
Latest .NET Runtime:
https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet
Older .NET 3.5 SP1 (Commonly Required):
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=22
Many games and legacy utilities depend on 3.5 SP1.
Install only what your apps require — unnecessary frameworks add clutter.
🎮 5. Installing DirectX (All Versions Including Legacy)
Games and emulators often fail because LTSC lacks older DirectX libraries.
Intro
DirectX is the “graphics engine language” for Windows. Without the full set of DLLs, many older or indie games simply won’t launch.
DirectX End-User Runtime (Official):
Uncheck Bing Bar during installation.
This package includes DirectX 9.0c, 10, and 11 libraries — essential for retro games.
🧱 6. Installing Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables
Games, editors, launchers, and many Windows tools depend on these packages.
Intro
Visual C++ redistributables are like building blocks for apps. LTSC includes only a few — you must add the rest manually.
Download (Microsoft Official):
Install both x86 and x64 versions for each release.
🖥️ 7. HDR Calibration (If Your Monitor Supports HDR)
If your display is HDR-capable, you’ll want the newer calibration tool.
Intro
LTSC does not include HDR tuning tools, so high-end monitors often look washed out.
Official HDR Calibration App
This app helps fine-tune brightness, contrast, and HDR tone mapping for games and movies.
📝 8. Upgrading Notepad, Snipping Tool, Sticky Notes, etc.
You can continue using legacy versions, but modern ones offer more features.
Intro
This step is optional — but if you rely on screenshots, notes, or tabbed editing, modern apps make work smoother.
Install from Microsoft Store (Official):
- Notepad
- Snipping Tool
- Sticky Notes
If you prefer alternatives:
- Notepad++ (Official): https://notepad-plus-plus.org/
- ShareX Screenshot Tool: https://getsharex.com/
🎵 9. Installing Windows Media Player (Optional)
LTSC does not include the new Media Player app.
Official Microsoft Store Link:
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9WZDNCRFJ3PT
If you prefer open-source:
- VLC Media Player: https://www.videolan.org
🛠️ 10. Removing Duplicate or Legacy Apps
After installing modern versions, LTSC may show both the old and new variants.
Intro
This step helps you maintain the clean, bloat-free nature of LTSC.
Two Ways to Remove Old Apps
- Settings → Apps → Installed Apps
- PowerShell (Run as Administrator):
Get-AppxPackage *appname* | Remove-AppxPackage
Remove only the duplicates — not essential system components.
🧹 11. Optional: Debloating, Privacy, and Telemetry
Since LTSC already removes most bloatware, heavy debloating scripts are unnecessary.
However, you can fine-tune privacy using:
- Group Policy Editor
- Manual service adjustments
- PowerShell commands
- Windows Security hardening
If you’d like a full dtptips-style debloat guide, just say “Create the LTSC debloat article.”
🛡️ Disclaimer
This guide is for personal educational use.
Always download apps from official Microsoft sources, and avoid third-party sites for system frameworks or codecs.
Changing system components on LTSC should be done carefully to avoid breaking your installation.
#Windows11LTSC #WindowsSetupGuide #TechTips #LTSC #WindowsCustomization
