Is PCS 7 V9.0 SP2 Compatible with Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC?

PCS 7 V9.0 incl. SP2 lists Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB (64-bit) as a supported operating system. Siemens does not list Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 or another later LTSC release in the V9.0 SP2 supported-OS list, so “LTSC” alone is not enough to establish compatibility. The reported WinCC XREF startup message does not identify its own root cause; first verify the exact Windows release and then diagnose the WinCC client installation and project-opening failure against the matching PCS 7/WinCC documentation.

Supported Windows Release

The Siemens PCS 7 Readme V9.0 incl. SP2, revision A5E45887690-AD (SP2 incl. UpdateCollection03), lists Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB (64-bit) among the released operating systems. Its general PCS 7 configuration table also marks Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB as compatible for an OS Client.

The readme does not say “Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC” generically. If the client uses the 2015 LTSB release, the operating system is in the published PCS 7 V9.0 SP2 list. If “LTSC” means a later release such as Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019, that operating system is not listed for PCS 7 V9.0 incl. SP2; do not treat it as supported based on the similar servicing model or name.

Check the Installed Client Before Troubleshooting XREF

Identify the exact Windows edition, release, and build on the computer where WinCC fails. Confirm whether it is Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB 64-bit, rather than assuming any Windows 10 LTSC release is equivalent.
Confirm that PCS 7 V9.0 incl. SP2 and the WinCC/PCS 7 client components are installed at the intended version and update level. The readme's operating-system list defines the release scope; product-specific requirements and current patch compatibility must also be checked against the matching readmes.
Record the complete WinCC project-opening message, the computer's role (OS client, server, or engineering station), and whether the same project opens on a supported station. Preserve relevant application/setup diagnostics before attempting repairs.
If the computer is on an OS release not listed for V9.0 SP2, correct the operating-system/platform mismatch using an approved PCS 7 installation plan. If it is on Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB and still reports the XREF error, investigate the client's WinCC installation and project configuration with version-matched Siemens diagnostics. The available evidence does not support a specific XREF repair step.
After correcting an installation or project configuration, verify that WinCC Project Manager opens the intended project on the client and that the configured OS client can operate with the corresponding PCS 7 system. Merely downloading a project from the ES does not prove that the local WinCC basic applications start correctly.

What the XREF Message Establishes

The reported text says the project could not be opened because WinCC Project Manager could not start the basic application named XREF. The source contains no WinCC logs, client/server role, Windows build, installation details, or follow-up resolution. It therefore does not establish whether the message was caused by an unsupported operating system, an incomplete or damaged WinCC installation, project configuration, or another local startup problem.

Treat the XREF message as a project-opening failure requiring diagnosis, not as proof of a particular Windows compatibility fault. Establish OS compatibility first; then use the matching WinCC/PCS 7 documentation and diagnostic evidence to determine the specific startup cause.

Windows 10 Patch and Configuration Notes

For Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB, the PCS 7 V9.0 SP2 Readme includes an installation note about a networking issue when two network adapters have different default-gateway configuration. It specifies at least Windows cumulative update KB3156387 as a solution for that stated issue and tells engineers to check compatibility of later cumulative updates. This note is specific to that networking scenario; it is not a general fix for the XREF message.

The same Readme says released operating-system specifications in the PCS 7 Readme take precedence over contradictory product-specific Readme statements. Verify the relevant component-specific release requirements as well as the base PCS 7 operating-system list.

Verification

Check the Windows edition and release against the PCS 7 V9.0 SP2 Readme, including the precise 2015 LTSB designation and 64-bit architecture. Check the configuration matrix for the station's actual role; the published list indicates OS Client compatibility with Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB.

If the platform matches, use installation and diagnostic evidence to isolate the XREF startup fault rather than inferring its cause from the message name. Confirm the project opens on the affected client and that the intended OS/client functions are available. Record the exact software versions and the diagnostic outcome so future maintenance can be compared against the validated configuration.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

The ticket gives no Windows release/build and its moderator reply only says that the duplicate was moved to another forum. The linked duplicate and its resolution are not present here. The OS compatibility question can be answered for the release named by Siemens, but the cause of the reported XREF failure remains undetermined.

Do not apply undocumented registry changes, DLL replacements, registration commands, or compatibility-mode settings to a PCS 7 client. Changes to an OS client should follow the installation/update procedure for the exact PCS 7 and WinCC versions, with the project and station configuration preserved according to site procedures.

Engineer FAQ

Does PCS 7 V9.0 SP2 support Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB? Yes. Siemens lists the 64-bit 2015 LTSB release as supported, including for an OS Client.

Does the same support statement cover Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019? No. The V9.0 SP2 Readme lists 2015 LTSB, not LTSC 2019. It does not establish support for the later release.

Does the XREF message prove the client operating system is unsupported? No. It reports that WinCC Project Manager could not start the XREF basic application. The ticket does not provide enough diagnostic evidence to identify why startup failed.

What if the client is already on Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB? Confirm its PCS 7/WinCC component versions and station role, preserve the complete diagnostics, and investigate the client installation and project-opening sequence using version-matched Siemens guidance.

Is KB3156387 the fix for the XREF error? The V9.0 SP2 Readme mentions KB3156387 for a particular two-network-adapter connectivity issue on Windows 10 2015 LTSB. It does not identify that update as a repair for XREF startup failures.

Technical References

Siemens, PCS 7 Readme V9.0 incl. SP2 (online), Readme V9.0 SP2 incl. UpdateCollection03, A5E45887690-AD. See §3.4.1.1 and the PCS 7 PC-configuration compatibility table for released Windows versions and station roles; §4.19 for SIMATIC Safety Matrix and S7 F Systems OS compatibility. Open the Siemens Readme (PDF)

Is PCS 7 V9.0 SP2 Compatible with Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC?