how to customize a win10 IOT LTSC version for commercial use

yinliliang-7633 0 Reputation points
2026-03-18T03:03:47.9133333+00:00

hi,

I have a requirement to customize a win10 IOT LTSC version for commercial use. I have below questions:

  1. does only the Microsoft authorized provider can customize the win10 software?
    all authorized provides list here: https://learn.microsoft.com/zh-cn/windows/iot/iot-enterprise/windows-iot-distributors?source=recommendations, I need to find one of them to customization, is it right?
  2. after receiving the customized image file, we will install our company's software products on it, then deploy it onto our own hardware, and finally sell the integrated system to our customers.

Regarding the license issue, how should it be handled? Does our company need to purchase and activate the license from the customizer? Or should our customers purchase and activate the license themselves? If it's the latter, are there any requirements on which channel the license must be purchased through? Is it mandatory to buy the license from our customizer?

We would appreciate any additional comments or suggestions you may have.

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | Devices and deployment | Licensing and activation

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Allan Solomon Mejia 3,840 Reputation points
    2026-07-18T23:35:57.3433333+00:00

    Hi yinliliang,

    Based on Microsoft's Windows IoT Enterprise licensing model, the typical approach is for the device manufacturer or system integrator to purchase Windows IoT Enterprise licenses through an authorized Windows IoT distributor, rather than having end customers purchase Windows separately. You can certainly customize the Windows image yourself using tools such as the Windows ADK, DISM, Sysprep, and provisioning packages. However, you'll still need to obtain the Windows IoT Enterprise license through an authorized distributor, who can also assist with OEM activation (e.g., OA3/Digital Product Key) and licensing compliance.

    Your proposed workflow: customizing the OS, installing your company's software, deploying it to your hardware, and selling the complete integrated appliance is the standard deployment model for Windows IoT Enterprise.

    I'd recommend engaging one of Microsoft's authorized Windows IoT distributors early in the project. They can advise on licensing, activation, image deployment, and manufacturing requirements to ensure the solution complies with Microsoft's OEM licensing policies.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Deleted

    This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

    Comments have been turned off. Learn more

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.