Create a reference Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC eval VM in UTM

1. Download Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC evaluation (ARM64 | x64) and utm-guest-tools-latest.iso.

2. Create the VM with "Install drivers and SPICE tools" unchecked (otherwise, clicking "I don't have a product key" during setup will fail with "Setup has failed to validate the product key").

3. Disconnect from the network, then install Windows.

4. Install UTM Guest Tools: Virtual Machine → Drives → CD/DVD…iso → Change → select utm-guest-tools-latest.iso → run D:\utm-guest-tools-0.1.271.exe. Eject when done.

5. Customize Windows as desired (taskbar, desktop background, dark mode, File Explorer, Edge, etc.), shut down, and save as your reference image.

6. Reconnect to the network, clone the reference VM, and boot the clone.

7. Windows should activate automatically and the desktop watermark change from "Windows License is expired" to "Windows License valid for 90 days". If not, run cscript //nologo %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /ato and reboot. If activation fails due to no network connectivity, try setting a public DNS server or switching from Shared Network to Bridged (Advanced).

❧ 2026-09-07