What is needed to run this game regarding Microsoft Software? Curious if running on a custom Windows install \ LTSC\B is doable.

[salted_cashews]

So I'm building a new PC, and I intend to install a stripped down no-bloat version of windows, and to do this I need to get most of the debloating done before I even install the system\configure user profiles. I'm no stranger to technical aspects, and I have some working sysadmin skills but I haven't found anything on this game so far to make me wary - though I've heard you need the Microsoft Store and Xbox Apps? Is there anything else? Windows System Assessment Tool and Game Explorer are two items I'm curious about and I haven't found any details on.

[Snake Plissken]

No. Either install W10 Education or cope at the fact that you can't play anything that's Windows 10 "Exclusive." LTSC is missing several features and updates that DX12 games require.

[Pyrocitor]

Originally posted by Purple Haze:

No. Either install W10 Education or cope at the fact that you can't play anything that's Windows 10 "Exclusive." LTSC is missing several features and updates that DX12 games require.

???
What are you talking about?
The steam version of the MCC runs on Windows 7 happily, it's not windows 10 exclusive.

OP, as far as I know, it doesn't tie into any special services built into windows, outside of the usual .net, directx 11 and other libraries common to DX11 games. The login and stuff is self-contained in the game.

The main thing I can think of that you need to make sure of is that you aren't blocking certain domains, which a lot of "de-bloated" installs or setup tools are overzealous about closing off.

In particular are the 4 listed here, which are required to be accessible to save achievements and profile progression.

https://support.halowaypoint.com/hc/en-us/articles/360037573011-Achievements-Progress-Issues


Remember that you can buy the game on Steam, spend less than 2 hours testing out if it runs on the version of Windows you're installing, and if it doesn't work, you can refund via steam.

[Snake Plissken]

Originally posted by Pyrocitor:

Long, angry post

I realize you only squat in these forums, but there have been many issues reported by players, especially after the release of CEA, and 343i has listed that the fix to these issues would be to install Windows 10. And that is only related to the MCC, there are many other games that are W10 exclusive and don't run on LTSC 2019.

[salted_cashews]

Originally posted by Pyrocitor:

Absolutely awesome response, I'm using MSMG Toolkit and I only intend to rid most of the metro and telemetry stuff. I'm still debating on whether or not I just want to run LTSC or custom. I'll have to boot into some VMs to see what I may or may not like and of course, test networking.
Thank you!

[salted_cashews]

Originally posted by Purple Haze:

I realize you only squat in these forums, but there have been many issues reported by players, especially after the release of CEA, and 343i has listed that the fix to these issues would be to install Windows 10. And that is only related to the MCC, there are many other games that are W10 exclusive and don't run on LTSC 2019.

Of these issues, have fixes been found? What kinds of issues?

[Snake Plissken]

Originally posted by salted cashews:

Of these issues, have fixes been found? What kinds of issues?

Yeah, install Windows 10. That's the suggested fix.

[Pyrocitor]

Originally posted by Purple Haze:

Originally posted by salted cashews:

Of these issues, have fixes been found? What kinds of issues?

Yeah, install Windows 10. That's the suggested fix.

Tell which issues those are. Because afaik the one you're referring here - the fix for the input issues was to check for Windows updates, since a lot of people were missing a .net update was needed.

[Snake Plissken]

Originally posted by Pyrocitor:

Tell which issues those are. Because afaik the one you're referring here - the fix for the input issues was to check for Windows updates, since a lot of people were missing a .net update was needed.

I've been listing issues for you all day. For once, could you answer a question for me? Is it a mere coincidence that you are a Steam forum mod AND a shill or did you sign up because you wanted to downplay any and all problems with the MCC that were reported by players in this forum?

[Pyrocitor]

Originally posted by Purple Haze:

Originally posted by Pyrocitor:

Tell which issues those are. Because afaik the one you're referring here - the fix for the input issues was to check for Windows updates, since a lot of people were missing a .net update was needed.

I've been listing issues for you all day. For once, could you answer a question for me? Is it a mere coincidence that you are a Steam forum mod AND a shill or did you sign up because you wanted to downplay any and all problems with the MCC that were reported by players in this forum?

1- I'm a mod locally here on the MCC discussions, not wider on Steam. And I was (still am) a community member here before that. I didn't "sign up" anywhere, nor did i ask/seek out to be a mod.
2- I'm not trying to downplay anything. I've made attempts to answer OPs question to the best of my knowledge, which is based on what I've seen posted on the support site, and what is being discussed here, on r/Halo and on the Halo Discord, and telling people where they can seek help if it can't be presented here or linked to on the support site, and telling them where they can help themselves, too, for instance about testing it within the refund window.

My questions to you were in intent of trying to narrow down your generalisation, which was verging on misinformation (see your first reply about windows 10 being required, when infact Windows 7 is officially supported too).

[Snake Plissken]

OP's question regards LTSC and its compatibility with W10 exclusive games. LTSC is not compatible with certain W10 exclusive games, like Forza. I never claimed the MCC is 10 exclusive, but according to you OP wants to do a brand new W10 LTSC install only to play Halo: MCC, so it really doesn't matter.