LTSC releases (formerly known as LTSB) are intended for specialized systems that often require a longer servicing option because of their purpose. Organizations can choose when to deploy updates from the Semi-Annual Channel. This channel delivers the new twice-per-year feature update releases. This program provides Preview Builds that registered entities can get access to validate new features as well as compatibility with existing apps and infrastructure prior to the new features being released in a Semi-Annual Channel. There are 3 types of servicing channels available with Windows 10: The servicing timeline for available Windows 10 versions is available on Microsoft’s Windows Lifecycle Fact Sheet. The Windows 10 servicing and support information is available on Microsoft’s Whats new in Windows 10 deployment page. 1703 (Creators) and 1709 (Fall Creators) are the first examples of this. Microsoft announced that Windows 10 new feature update releases will come out twice a year (around March and September) in a Semi-Annual servicing channel, aligning with the way Office 365 ProPlus is serviced. To align with the new method of delivering feature and quality updates in Windows 10, Microsoft introduced the concept of servicing branches. These updates that can be deployed using existing management tools like SCCM.
Bug fixes and security fixes are packaged into Quality Updates. New features are packaged into Feature Updates (major versions like 1903, etc.). With the release of the Windows 10 Operating System, Microsoft introduced a new way to build, deploy, and service Windows: Windows as a service.