The future of LTSB with Office 365 !

[kennysarmy]

Interested to hear views on this article:

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Windows-IT-Pro-Blog/Changes-to-Office-and-Windows-servicing-and-support/ba-p/151509

 

Particularly the bit about Office 365!

 

Effective January 14, 2020, ProPlus will no longer be supported on the following versions of Windows. This will ensure that both Office and Windows receive regular, coordinated updates to provide the most secure environment with the latest capabilities.

Any Windows 10 LTSC release

Windows Server 2016 and older

Windows 8.1 and older

 

We've been running a rock solid LTSB version of Windows 10 for over 18 months and we're now starting to look at deploying out Office 365 - seems we might have to scrap all our desktops and re-image everything again on a new Windows 10 flavour

[synaesthesia]

Very interesting; we were very close to running LTSB here due to simplicity but won over by facilities that'd generally make everyone's life easier (except ours!) Then again could you argue that the online versions would be enough these days rather than local installs?

[Bionic]

We use LTSB here, on about 500 computers! Does this mean we have to deploy a different Windows 10 version to have continued support?

[free780]

Well for Server 2016 RDS the time frame has been extended.

 

 

But if your running LTSC you should run the VL version of Office.

If you want Office 365 Proplus you need to be running Windows 10 SAC. I'd recommend 1709 at this stage.

 

Basically if your using LTSC Microsoft presume you are keeping everything on prem or its a use case (Boiler Control,Medical Scanners,Thin clients etc).

 

If you all in with Office 365 you need to stay current.

So 1 Windows 10 update year. Autumn would be best as you get 30 Months Support

Monthly updates to Office 365 Proplus.

[JRowley]

Personally we run Education and Office 365 ProPlus so this isn't an issue.

 

For those of you running LTSB/LTSC could you not just run Office 2019 instead?

[Blue_Cookeh]

I don't know why you guys all decided to deploy LTSB against Microsoft's recommendation, to be quite honest. If you ever needed Microsoft support it gives them the biggest card ever to turn around and deny support until you deployed CBB or CB.

 

It's quite clear that the industry is going towards continual updates and SaaS, I wouldn't bank on there being a successor to Office 2019.

Edited November 14, 2018 by Blue_Cookeh

[supportman]

Ahh ok not an issue then, just need to install Office 2019 which is what we do anyway

[free780]

Also some software such as Visual Studio 2017 is not supported on LTSC.

[chrispell]

Sorry to revive an old thread - but just looking for some clarity with this. When January 14th 2020 hits, I'm assuming Office 365 ProPlus will continue to function on Windows 10 1607 LTSB, but will just lose MS support and any 'feature updates'?

[supportman]

Sorry to revive an old thread - but just looking for some clarity with this. When January 14th 2020 hits, I'm assuming Office 365 ProPlus will continue to function on Windows 10 1607 LTSB, but will just lose MS support and any 'feature updates'?

 

I would think so...

 

You can always just install Office 2019 as well. Its not a big issue.

[Primus]

Or maybe don't disregard MS guidance on inappropriate use of LTSB/LTSC and use the version of Windows the manufacturer intends you to.

 

MS couldn't be any clearer on whtat LTSC is designed for, it is increasingly clear they are going to make things more and more akward for people trying to use LTSC on general purpose PCs.

[chrispell]

I think to be fair, a couple of years ago it was a good way to deploy without any of the MS bloatware/rubbish.

 

Nowadays, MS are deliberately making it harder to do this...so now we only deploy Windows 10 CB.

[Primus]

I think to be fair, a couple of years ago it was a good way to deploy without any of the MS bloatware/rubbish.

 

Nowadays, MS are deliberately making it harder to do this...so now we only deploy Windows 10 CB.

 

MS have been consistent with this, LTSB was clearly described as not for general purpose PCs right from launch.

[StevieM]

Or maybe don't disregard MS guidance on inappropriate use of LTSB/LTSC and use the version of Windows the manufacturer intends you to.

 

Even if it does suit your needs less than the 'inappropriate' one.

 

MS couldn't be any clearer on whtat LTSC is designed for, it is increasingly clear they are going to make things more and more akward for people trying to use LTSC on general purpose PCs.

 

Like they haven't made things awkward for lots of us with twice-yearly 'feature updates' with a maximum 30-month life-cycle. (Who operates on a 30-month cycle?)

[Primus]

Even if it does suit your needs less than the 'inappropriate' one.

 

 

 

Like they haven't made things awkward for lots of us with twice-yearly 'feature updates' with a maximum 30-month life-cycle. (Who operates on a 30-month cycle?)

 

It's their product and they been clear all the way through from the launch of Windows 10!

 

To be honest I'm surprised they don't make u licence it separately to further reinforce this.

[DrCheese]

I do wish people would get off their high horses over the LTSC - We are fully capable of reading MS's advice not to deploy it on standard machines & making informed decisions about what versions to roll out/risks involved in doing so.

MS's advise was & still is completely arbitrary as there is *no* difference between the CBB releases and the LTSC releases barring all the UWP apps removed & lack of newer silicon formal support (But if you only have older computers, who cares?)

This new Office policy is yet another arbitrary decision as unless they're going to drop support for the 1809 release of Windows 10 (They won't for 30 months, by which time a new LTSC is out anyway) you will likely get by fine. Just they won't support you with any issues.

 

The LTSC gave us a standard platform to get us up to Windows 10 whist avoiding all the headaches of the early days of the current branch, which was an absolute mess. Remember the "UPDATE OR DIE" was set to something stupid like 12 months at first.

If we had been forced on to CBB from the get go we would have been on Windows 7 for far longer.

 

We've now deployed the CBB with Office 365 to the majority of our machines but it was the right choice for us at the time & I don't begrudge people deploying it. If MS really want to stop it, they will.

[Primus]

I do wish people would get off their high horses over the LTSC - We are fully capable of reading MS's advice not to deploy it on standard machines & making informed decisions about what versions to roll out/risks involved in doing so.

MS's advise was & still is completely arbitrary as there is *no* difference between the CBB releases and the LTSC releases barring all the UWP apps removed & lack of newer silicon formal support (But if you only have older computers, who cares?)

This new Office policy is yet another arbitrary decision as unless they're going to drop support for the 1809 release of Windows 10 (They won't for 30 months, by which time a new LTSC is out anyway) you will likely get by fine. Just they won't support you with any issues.

 

The LTSC gave us a standard platform to get us up to Windows 10 whist avoiding all the headaches of the early days of the current branch, which was an absolute mess. Remember the "UPDATE OR DIE" was set to something stupid like 12 months at first.

If we had been forced on to CBB from the get go we would have been on Windows 7 for far longer.

 

We've now deployed the CBB with Office 365 to the majority of our machines but it was the right choice for us at the time & I don't begrudge people deploying it. If MS really want to stop it, they will.

 

Then when it breaks you can't complain!

[mavhc]

Meanwhile https://redmondmag.com/articles/2019/07/09/office-365-proplus-windows-server-2019.aspx

 

Looks like they're reversing the aim to switch to everyone using RDP renting Windows 10 on Azure

 

And as Server 2019 is basically Win 10 LTSC...

[StevieM]

It's their product and they been clear all the way through from the launch of Windows 10!

 

To be honest I'm surprised they don't make u licence it separately to further reinforce this.

 

 

I understand what you're saying but, just because it is their product, it doesn't mean that they should ignore the needs of many of its users.

 

Picture the scene:

 

Ford decides that, in future, all Ford Transits will come fully carpeted and fitted with 12 passenger seats. That's great if you want to drive people around in comfort, but it's more than a little inconvenient if you want to fill it with building materials. So you decide to remove the carpet and take out all the seats. It was a bit of an effort, but at least it's more suitable for your needs now. However, when you take it for an MOT, all the carpets and seats are refitted again, and all the customisations you have made have been removed. This also applies to anyone who bought a previous version of the Transit.

 

However, Ford does continue to make Transits without all the unwanted furnishings, but advises people not to use them as they won't supply the parts if they breakdown. But we can't complain.

Edited November 22, 2019 by StevieM
Emphasis added

[Primus]

I understand what you're saying but, just because it is their product, it doesn't mean that they should ignore the needs of many of its users.

 

Picture the scene:

 

Ford decides that, in future, all Ford Transits will come fully carpeted and fitted with 12 passenger seats. That's great if you want to drive people around in comfort, but it's more than a little inconvenient if you want to fill it with building materials. So you decide to remove the carpet and take out all the seats. It was a bit of an effort, but at least it's more suitable for your needs now. However, when you take it for an MOT, all the carpets and seats are refitted again, and all the customisations you have made have been removed. This also applies to anyone who bought a previous version of the Transit.

 

However, Ford does continue to make Transits without all the unwanted furnishings, but advises people not to use them as they won't supply the parts if they breakdown. But we can't complain.

 

You can't complain if that information is communicated to you in advance of purchasing, as it has been with Windows 10. You can always buy a product from a rival manufacturer.

[StevieM]

You can't complain if that information is communicated to you in advance of purchasing, as it has been with Windows 10.

 

But it's not in advance of purchasing; I've upgraded from Windows 7 - because I have to!

 

You can always buy a product from a rival manufacturer.

 

We can and do (iPads, anyone?). However, moving the entire estate to a different platform isn't something that can be done overnight.

[Simcfc73]

I've just installed 1909 on my office machine after years of using LTSC. Can't install ADUC, windows update fail with a CU but its got a lovely camera app so every cloud.

[Primus]

But it's not in advance of purchasing; I've upgraded from Windows 7 - because I have to!

 

 

 

We can and do (iPads, anyone?). However, moving the entire estate to a different platform isn't something that can be done overnight.

 

No you don't have to upgrade to Windows 10, obviously 7 is EoL in January but no one is forcing you to use Windows. Also Windows 10 is not the only release that is within support - you could move to Windows 8.

 

Also who said overnight? You've had how long to plan for the replacement of Windows 7?! The EoL dates have been set for a very long time now.

[StevieM]

I was going to respond in further detail but, to be honest, I think we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one, @Primus.

[Primus]

I was going to respond in further detail but, to be honest, I think we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one, @Primus.

 

Ok no worries, I'm not a huge fan of MS but they've been consistent on this.