Upgrade Windows 10 Home to LTSC Without Data Loss

Tutorials & Methods
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Upgrade Windows 10 Home to LTSC Without Data Loss

Upgrading from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 LTSC without a full reinstall is entirely possible—and can be done smoothly using the right tools and approach. This guide outlines a refined method leveraging official installation files, an essential generic key, and optional activation solutions for a seamless transition without resetting your data or apps.

:white_check_mark: Core Strategy for In-Place Upgrade

To upgrade Windows 10 Home to LTSC without wiping data:

  1. You must install from within Windows using the LTSC ISO—booting from USB will force a clean install.
  2. The LTSC installer doesn’t support upgrading from Home by default, so a trick is required.

:wrench: The Method (Step-by-Step)

1. Download Windows 10 LTSC ISO

Get the ISO from trusted sources like:

2. Mount the ISO

Right-click the downloaded ISO and choose Mount.

3. Modify the ISO for Compatibility

Windows won’t allow a direct upgrade from Home to Enterprise. Here’s how to bypass that:

  • Navigate to the mounted ISO > sources folder.
  • Delete the ei.cfg file if it exists (this forces a version prompt).
  • Create a new ei.cfg file with the following contents:
[EditionID]
EnterpriseS
[Channel]
Retail
[VL]
0
  • Save it inside the same sources folder.

This config tells the installer to treat the image as compatible with upgrade paths.

4. Run setup.exe from Within Windows

Don’t boot from USB—simply run setup.exe from the mounted ISO. Choose the option to keep personal files and apps.

:key: Activation After Upgrade

Once installed, LTSC will not be activated. For activation, you can use open-source KMS solutions:

  • Massgrave’s GitHub is widely trusted and actively maintained.
  • Make sure to review and verify all scripts before running.

Note: You can use the generic LTSC key to proceed with the install:
NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43
(Does not activate Windows but allows install continuation.)

:pushpin: Important Notes & Warnings

  • LTSC removes Windows Store and some modern apps. Consider this before upgrading.
  • You cannot switch back to Home or Pro later without a full reinstall.
  • LTSC is meant for stability and long-term support—ideal for low-interaction or work-critical systems.

:brain: Additional Tips:

  • If the upgrade fails or resets, consider using a Windows 10 Pro intermediary step:
    • Upgrade Home → Pro (via generic key), then Pro → LTSC.
  • You can also use tools like Rufus to create a bootable USB with the modified ISO if needed.
  • For cleaner results, use Debloater scripts post-upgrade to remove leftover bloat.

:speech_balloon: Community-Proven Insights

  • Some users successfully performed this upgrade on laptops and desktops without a hitch.
  • Others recommend doing a full backup, just in case something breaks during setup.

With this approach, upgrading to Windows 10 LTSC becomes a reliable, non-destructive upgrade path. This method gives you the best of both worlds: LTSC’s streamlined performance and the convenience of preserving your current setup.

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