Windows 11 IoT is a pretty unique take on the Windows operating system that’s quite different from what most people are used to. Having used Windows since the Windows 95 days, I’d argue this might actually be the coolest version of Windows yet – even better than the beloved Windows XP and Windows 7 that everyone used to swear by (including me).
Some Caveats
The biggest headache with Windows 11 IoT is getting your hands on a license. It’s not something you can just grab off a store shelf or Amazon. These license keys are basically meant for businesses, which makes things tricky for regular users. Some folks online have shared ways to get a license, but it’s definitely not a walk in the park. Some are unethical ways to get a license key but I’m not even going to touch further on that subject.
What makes this version special is how stripped down it is. No Microsoft Store, no Xbox app – basically zero bloatware. Some people might find that frustrating, but tech enthusiasts will appreciate the clean, no-nonsense approach.
What makes this version special is how stripped down it is. No Microsoft Store, which creates some real challenges. Take my Lenovo Legion laptop, for example. To get the Lenovo Vantage app – which is crucial for drivers and BIOS updates – I had to manually activate the Microsoft Store through a PowerShell command. It’s doable though by doing the following:
1. Open PowerShell as an admin:
2. Type in the command: wsreset -i
3. Wait for a notification to appear that the store app is running, it may take several minutes.
The same goes for gaming. The Xbox app isn’t pre-installed, which means some games might not work right out of the box. While there are workarounds, it’s another hurdle for users expecting a plug-and-play experience.
No Microsoft Store, no Xbox app – basically zero bloatware. Some people might find that frustrating, but tech enthusiasts will appreciate the clean, no-nonsense approach.
For me, Windows 11 IoT is perfect for one thing: video editing. It’s not my main operating system, but it’s got a streamlined feel that works great for specific tasks.
The Purpose of W11 IoT
Now that we’ve covered the challenges, let’s dive into why Windows 11 IoT might actually be pretty awesome for specific use cases.
This operating system is primarily designed for enterprises with very specific needs. Imagine a software development company, a retail store, or a business needing specialized signage on a giant touchscreen. Windows 11 IoT shines in scenarios where you want a minimal, distraction-free system.
The biggest advantage? Virtually no intrusive popups. Unlike standard Windows, you won’t get bombarded with Windows Store notifications or random system alerts. The only popup I consistently see is from the Nvidia driver – and that’s it.
This makes it perfect for specialized environments like:
– Kiosk applications
– Medical equipment interfaces
– Embedded systems requiring a stable, bare-bones operating system
While many companies traditionally use Linux for such use cases, some prefer Microsoft’s .NET Framework and development ecosystem. Windows 11 IoT bridges that gap, offering a stripped-down version that’s still fully functional.
No TPM or Processor Requirement
A few key technical advantages stand out. Windows LTSC (Long-Term Service Channel) means minimal, stable updates. Unlike regular Windows, you’re not constantly interrupted by feature updates. Even more impressive, the hardware requirements are incredibly flexible. TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are optional, which means you can run this on older hardware.
Case in point: I’m running this on an 11-year-old Intel i7-4770K processor with an Nvidia GTX 1080 that’s nearly a decade old. Despite the age, I can smoothly edit 4K video at 60 frames per second using DaVinci Resolve Studio.
While it’s enterprise-focused, Windows 11 IoT is more than capable for home usage – if you’re willing to put in a little extra effort to set it up.
Microsoft’s approach with Windows 11 IoT reveals a frustrating reality about their standard Windows licensing and hardware requirements. The operating system can run smoothly on older hardware that would be completely unsupported by regular Windows 11, which requires specific TPM 2.0 and newer processor chipsets.
This restrictive approach from Microsoft essentially forces consumers to purchase new hardware and licenses, contributing significantly to electronic waste. With Windows 11 IoT, the same older machines can run efficiently – and in many cases, even faster than when they were first purchased.
Take my decade-old system with an Intel i7-4770K and Nvidia GTX 1080. Not only does it run Windows 11 IoT perfectly, but it performs better than it did with its original Windows 10 installation. The performance improvement is remarkable.
Long-term Support
Support-wise, Windows 11 IoT LTSC offers impressive longevity. The mainstream support runs until 2029, with extended support continuing until 2034. This means a machine like mine could potentially remain functional and supported for nearly two decades – a stark contrast to Microsoft’s typical upgrade cycles.
No Bloated Photo Viewer
Some interesting quirks come with this version. The start menu can be customized to look like traditional Windows, and there are some unique default behaviors. For instance, picture files open in Microsoft Paint by default, with no standard photo viewer included – an unexpected but interesting design choice.
After discovering Nomacs, an open-source image viewer, I found it to be a lightweight and more customisable alternative to the default Microsoft photo viewer. It opens quickly and offers more functionality than the traditional Windows photo viewer.
No AI, Hurray!
One of the most striking features of Windows 11 IoT is its complete absence of AI integration. Unlike standard Windows 11, there’s no Copilot pre-installed, and through multiple updates over nearly six months, no AI services have been added. Even the Copilot button on my Lenovo Legion 5i keyboard remains essentially unused.
No Teams and OneDrive
The operating system strips away most Microsoft cloud and service integrations:
– No Microsoft Teams
– No OneDrive
– No cloud storage services
– No AI assistants
While the system does collect basic telemetry data during installation like the typical Microsoft ecosystem connections found in standard Windows 11 versions.
Old School Notepad
Some interesting software choices persist. The included Notepad, for instance, is an older version without tabs or auto-save functionality. This means a more traditional, stripped-down text editing experience compared to the latest Windows Notepad.
For users concerned about privacy and wanting a minimal Windows experience, these omissions are actually features, not bugs. The operating system provides a clean, no-frills computing environment focused on core functionality.
If I need specific cloud services or AI tools, I can still access them through web browsers using privacy-focused methods – a potential topic for a future discussion.
No Bloatware
The app listing in Windows 11 IoT is remarkably sparse. Unlike standard Windows installations, there’s virtually no pre-installed bloatware. The few apps present are primarily functional: Microsoft Edge (which can’t be removed) and accessibility features.
Critically, there are no default games like Solitaire or Candy Crush.
Better Laptop Battery
On my laptop, battery performance is better than when I used regular Windows 11. This is probably due to less internet usage since there is no AI constantly scanning my private data and uploading to Microsoft, no mandated cloud backup services like OneDrive and less bloatware running in the background like the Xbox app.
No Ads!
No random pop-ups advertising Microsoft Office or OneDrive storage. In six months of use, I’ve encountered zero Microsoft ads – a stark contrast to regular Windows versions.
No Microsoft Account
The installation process is equally refreshing. Unlike current Windows 11 Home, Pro, and Enterprise versions that mandate a Microsoft account, Windows 11 IoT allows a local account setup by default. You can simply skip the Microsoft account creation without any workarounds or PowerShell commands.
Shame On Microsoft
Performance-wise, it’s impressive. The operating system runs exceptionally smoothly, especially on older hardware. While Linux Mint remains faster for boot and general tasks, this is definitively the fastest version of Windows I’ve ever used. My decade-old system runs phenomenally, with stable updates and zero screen-of-death incidents.
This version exposes Microsoft’s potentially deliberate strategy of forcing hardware upgrades. By creating restrictive requirements for standard Windows 11, they potentially push consumers to buy new computers, potentially through behind-the-scenes agreements with hardware manufacturers.
Windows 11 IoT represents what Windows 11 should have been: minimal, fast, privacy-respecting (apart from the minimal telemetry data collecting), and hardware-agnostic. It runs on older machines, lacks bloatware, minimises telemetry, and provides a clean computing experience.
