Windows 11 has multiple versions designed for different user groups, but two of the most talked-about variants are Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel). While Pro is the default edition for most users, LTSC is designed primarily for businesses and IT professionals who value stability and minimal bloatware over constant feature updates.
But a question often arises: is Windows 11 LTSC actually faster than Windows 11 Pro?
In this detailed comparison, we’ll explore every test result—from startup and storage usage to performance in benchmarks, application launches, and file operations—to find out which version truly delivers the best speed and efficiency.
🧩 1. What Is Windows 11 LTSC?
Windows 11 LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) is a special build designed mainly for enterprise environments, embedded systems, and users who want a lightweight, stable, and non-intrusive Windows experience.
It doesn’t come preloaded with Microsoft’s consumer-focused apps like Microsoft Store, Copilot, Xbox, or Widgets. Instead, LTSC focuses on:
- Long-term reliability
- Minimal system updates (only security fixes)
- Reduced background activity
- Lower system requirements (no TPM enforcement)
Essentially, it’s Windows stripped down to the essentials—perfect for power users or older hardware.
⚙️ 2. How LTSC Differs from Windows 11 Pro
Before testing, it’s important to understand the major distinctions between both versions.
| Feature | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 LTSC |
|---|---|---|
| Release Cycle | Frequent feature updates | Long-term security-only updates |
| Microsoft Apps | Preinstalled (Edge, Store, Widgets, Copilot, etc.) | Minimal (no Store, Copilot, Widgets) |
| TPM & Secure Boot | Required | Not required |
| Performance Focus | Productivity, business features | Stability, speed, low latency |
| Ideal For | Modern PCs, business users | Developers, testers, older systems |
These differences are key to understanding the results ahead.
Now, let’s move into the actual testing environment and setup.
🧪 3. Test Setup and Conditions
Both operating systems were tested on identical hardware to ensure a fair comparison.
Test Configuration
- CPU: Intel Core i5 (quad-core)
- RAM: 8 GB DDR4
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
- GPU: Integrated Intel UHD
- Fast Boot: Disabled
- Secure Boot: Disabled
Fast Boot was turned off intentionally, as it uses hybrid hibernation and can distort true cold-boot timing.
All applications were identical across both systems, with fresh installations and updates completed before testing began.
⚡ 4. Startup and Login Times
The first test compared boot-up speed.
- Windows 11 Pro reached the desktop slightly faster than LTSC by a margin of just a few seconds.
- LTSC followed closely but showed a smoother animation and lower disk activity once loaded.
After login, both systems took about the same time to reach a fully responsive desktop.
➡️ Verdict: Minor win for Windows 11 Pro, but LTSC felt more stable post-boot.
💾 5. Storage Usage and Memory Consumption
When it comes to bloat and resource usage, LTSC shines.
- Storage Used:
- Windows 11 LTSC: ~2.7 GB less than Pro out of the box.
- Reason: Absence of bundled apps like Edge, Store, and Copilot components.
- Memory Usage at Idle:
- Pro: 100 MB lower than LTSC, a negligible difference.
- With 30 Chromium Tabs:
- Pro: 5.8 GB
- LTSC: 5.9 GB
➡️ Verdict: Tie. LTSC wins in disk space, but RAM usage is almost identical.
🌡️ 6. Temperature and System Stability
Thermal performance remained close between both OS versions.
- Idle Temperatures:
- Pro: 5 °C cooler than LTSC.
- Under Load:
- LTSC: 1 °C cooler than Pro.
Both systems maintained safe operating ranges, suggesting no throttling or performance drops during stress.
➡️ Verdict: Practically even, with LTSC slightly better under continuous load.
🌐 7. Web Browsing and Application Launch Tests
To evaluate daily usability, a simple browsing test was conducted on YouTube, Yahoo, and Apple.com.
| Website | Winner | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | LTSC | Loads instantly; smoother animation |
| Yahoo | LTSC | Faster rendering of heavy image content |
| Apple.com | LTSC | Finishes loading first |
When testing default apps, LTSC consistently launched programs faster because it uses classic lightweight versions rather than modern UI apps tied to Microsoft Store.
| App | Winner | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Notepad | LTSC | Opens instantly (classic build) |
| Calculator | LTSC | Lighter binary, less telemetry |
| Paint | LTSC | Loads faster, no Copilot embed |
| Media Player | LTSC | Marginally faster startup |
➡️ Verdict: LTSC dominates in browser and default app responsiveness.
🎧 8. Audio and Media Performance
A basic audio export test using Audacity revealed striking results:
- LTSC exported the clip almost instantly.
- Pro lagged by a couple of seconds.
Media playback (audio, video, and image) also favored LTSC:
- Audio and video files opened faster.
- Images defaulted to Paint instead of Photos, eliminating delays.
➡️ Verdict: LTSC’s simplicity gives it the clear win.
🧾 9. Office Applications and Productivity Benchmarks
Office apps were tested using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and a PDF viewer.
| Application | Winner | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Word | Pro | Slightly faster initial launch |
| Excel | LTSC | Opened large spreadsheet faster |
| PowerPoint | LTSC | Loaded slideshow before Pro |
| PDF (Adobe) | Pro | Opened file faster |
While Windows 11 Pro did have a few wins, LTSC consistently performed better with heavier file workloads and multitasking.
➡️ Verdict: LTSC leads overall in productivity and real-world usage.
📂 10. File Operations and Compression Tests
File management was tested with 7-Zip to archive and copy large files.
- Archive Creation (7-Zip):
LTSC finished first by a noticeable margin. - File Copy to USB:
LTSC completed the transfer quicker than Pro.
➡️ Verdict: LTSC offers faster I/O and less background interference.
🧮 11. System Scanning and Benchmarking
A Malwarebytes system scan showed a dramatic gap:
- LTSC: Completed in 54 seconds.
- Pro: Took 2 minutes 20 seconds.
This suggests LTSC’s reduced background services and telemetry help applications complete resource-intensive tasks faster.
Moving on to benchmarks:
| Test | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 LTSC | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench (Single-Core) | 1151 | 1350 | LTSC |
| Geekbench (Multi-Core) | 1855 | 2357 | LTSC |
| Cinebench (Multi-Core) | Slightly lower | Slightly higher | LTSC |
➡️ Verdict: LTSC shows clear computational efficiency gains.
📶 12. Wi-Fi and Disk Performance Results
Next came network and storage benchmarks.
- Wi-Fi Speed (Speedtest.net):
- Download: Pro performed better.
- Upload: LTSC was faster.
- CrystalDiskMark (SSD Speed):
- Pro showed higher read/write speeds across the board.
- LTSC remained consistent but slightly behind.
➡️ Verdict: Pro wins the disk benchmark, LTSC wins upload consistency.
🏁 13. Final Verdict: Which Windows 11 Version Wins?
After all the tests, here’s a summary of results:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Boot Time | Windows 11 Pro |
| Storage Usage | Windows 11 LTSC |
| Memory Usage | Tie |
| Web Browsing | Windows 11 LTSC |
| Default Apps | Windows 11 LTSC |
| Office Performance | Windows 11 LTSC |
| File Operations | Windows 11 LTSC |
| Malware Scan | Windows 11 LTSC |
| Geekbench & Cinebench | Windows 11 LTSC |
| Wi-Fi Speed | Split |
| Disk Speed | Windows 11 Pro |
| Shutdown Time | Windows 11 Pro |
✅ Overall Winner: Windows 11 LTSC
While Windows 11 Pro isn’t slow by any means, LTSC consistently outperforms it in real-world performance thanks to:
- Fewer background processes
- No bloatware
- Reduced telemetry
- Lightweight system services
If you want maximum speed, simplicity, and minimal distractions, LTSC is the clear winner.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What does LTSC stand for?
LTSC means Long-Term Servicing Channel. It’s a special version of Windows 11 that receives only security updates, not feature upgrades.
Q2. Is Windows 11 LTSC legal for personal use?
LTSC is licensed primarily for enterprises and specialized environments. However, technically savvy users sometimes deploy it for personal machines for performance reasons. Always follow Microsoft’s licensing terms.
Q3. Does LTSC support Microsoft Store or Copilot?
No. LTSC omits these modern cloud-based components by design. It focuses on reliability and low overhead.
Q4. Which version is better for gaming?
Pro might be slightly better because it supports Xbox integration, Game Mode, and full DirectStorage features. But LTSC provides lower background load and can perform equally well in most titles.
Q5. Can I upgrade from Pro to LTSC directly?
No, you need to perform a clean installation of LTSC. Always back up your data first.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This article is for informational and educational purposes only.
Windows 11 LTSC is intended for enterprise and professional use under Microsoft’s licensing guidelines. Always ensure compliance before installing or deploying any software edition.
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