C135 PCS 7 (PCS7)
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Windows 10 Operating System Migration Boundaries for PCS 7 V9.0 SP1 - In-Place Upgrade Risks from LTSB to LTSC

Windows 10 Operating System Migration Boundaries for PCS 7 V9.0 SP1 - In-Place Upgrade Risks from LTSB to LTSC

In-place upgrading Microsoft Windows 10 from Enterprise LTSB 2015 to Enterprise LTSC 2019 on a PC with SIMATIC PCS 7 V9.0 SP1 installed is strictly unsupported by Siemens and will severely corrupt the automation software environment. SIMATIC PCS 7 V9.0 SP1 was engineered and validated exclusively for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2015 (Build 10240); it is not released for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 (which requires PCS 7 V9.0 SP2, SP3, or V9.1). An in-place OS upgrade replaces core system libraries, resets DCOM security settings, and breaks the Microsoft SQL Server instance installed by WinCC. To upgrade the operating system cleanly, back up your multiproject, format the PC, install Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019, and install a compatible PCS 7 version.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Hardware replacement cycles and peripheral driver obsolescence (such as graphics drivers for modern display adapters) frequently pressure plant engineers to upgrade underlying Microsoft Windows operating systems. In installations running SIMATIC PCS 7 V9.0 SP1 on Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2015, engineers often ask whether they can perform a direct in-place Windows upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019. Siemens DCS guidelines strictly prohibit in-place OS migrations over existing PCS 7 installations. This technical reference clarifies the compatibility lifecycle between Windows 10 LTSC releases and PCS 7 service packs, details the structural failures caused by in-place upgrades, and provides the compliant migration path.

Architecture and Fundamental Mechanics

Windows 10 LTSC Lifecycle vs. SIMATIC PCS 7 Release Matrix

+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                   WINDOWS 10 LTSC & PCS 7 COMPATIBILITY MATRIX          |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Windows Release             | OS Build    | Compatible PCS 7 Versions    |
|-----------------------------|-------------|------------------------------|
| Win 10 Enterprise LTSB 2015 | Build 10240 | PCS 7 V9.0 Base, V9.0 SP1    |
| Win 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 | Build 14393 | PCS 7 V9.0 SP1, V9.0 SP2     |
| Win 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 | Build 17763 | PCS 7 V9.0 SP2, SP3, V9.1    |
| Win 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 | Build 19044 | PCS 7 V9.1 SP1, V9.1 SP2     |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

The Failure Mechanics of In-Place OS Upgrades

  1. SQL Server Instance Breakdown: SIMATIC PCS 7 OS Servers and Engineering Stations utilize a deeply integrated Microsoft SQL Server instance (e.g., SQL Server 2014 SP2 for V9.0 SP1 or SQL Server 2016 for V9.1). An in-place Windows feature upgrade rewrites registry permission hives and replaces operating system cryptography providers, leaving SQL Server unable to attach or authenticate WinCC databases.
  2. DCOM and Security SID Resets: During an in-place upgrade, Windows resets local user group security identifiers (SIDs) and restores default DCOM access control lists (ACLs). SIMATIC Security Control configurations are erased, breaking remote communication across the plant network.
  3. Peripheral Driver Validation: Industrial control systems require certified industrial hardware. Consumer gaming GPUs (such as NVIDIA GeForce GTX series) lack certified Long Term Service Branch drivers and are not supported on SIMATIC IPC platforms.

Step-by-Step Implementation Procedure

Step 1: Complete System and Project Archival

  1. On the Engineering Station, open SIMATIC Manager.
  2. Select File > Archive... and generate an uncompressed ZIP archive of the entire multiproject.
  3. Open Automation License Manager (ALM) and transfer all software license keys onto a Siemens license USB flash drive.
  4. Export WinCC user archives, custom scripts, and historical database backups to an external storage medium.

Step 2: Clean Operating System Installation

  1. Obtain certified installation media for Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 (64-bit).
  2. Format the primary system drive (typically C:) to ensure a completely clean partition without residual registry entries.
  3. Install Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019.
  4. Apply the latest Microsoft Servicing Stack Update (SSU) and Cumulative Update (Build 17763.1613 or higher).
  5. Install certified industrial chipset and graphics drivers supplied by the hardware manufacturer (e.g., Siemens SIMATIC IPC driver package).

Step 3: Install an Approved PCS 7 Version

  1. Because Windows 10 LTSC 2019 is incompatible with PCS 7 V9.0 SP1, deploy an approved version:
    - SIMATIC PCS 7 V9.0 SP3 or SIMATIC PCS 7 V9.1.
  2. Join the PC to the plant domain (if applicable) before beginning software installation.
  3. Execute Setup.exe with administrative privileges.
  4. After installation, launch SIMATIC Security Control and apply system security settings.

Step 4: License Transfer and Multiproject Retrieval

  1. Reconnect the Siemens license USB drive and transfer the license keys back via ALM. Note: If upgrading from V9.0 SP1 to V9.1, upgrade licenses must be procured through an authorized Siemens distributor or the Siemens Industry Mall.
  2. In SIMATIC Manager, retrieve the archived multiproject via File > Retrieve....
  3. Open HW Config and CFC charts, perform a Save and Compile, and recompile the OS.

Verification

  1. Windows Build Verification: Press Win + R, type winver, and verify that Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 (Build 17763) is active.
  2. SQL Server and WinCC Launch: Launch WinCC Explorer and open a process picture in Graphics Designer. Confirm that the SQL Server service initializes and Graphics Designer opens without DCOM errors.
  3. Hardware Catalog Consistency: Open HW Config in SIMATIC Manager. Confirm that all configured stations and CPs compile with zero catalog errors.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

  1. Consumer GPU Incompatibility: Commercial gaming graphics cards (GeForce GTX/RTX) are not tested or supported by Siemens. Use SIMATIC IPCs equipped with industrial Intel UHD graphics or workstation-class NVIDIA Quadro GPUs.
  2. No Rollback for In-Place Upgrades: If an in-place upgrade is attempted, Windows 'Rollback' will rarely restore a functional PCS 7 environment due to altered SQL databases; a complete reinstallation is required.

Engineer FAQ

Can I upgrade Windows 10 from LTSB to LTSC in-place with PCS 7 installed?

No. In-place operating system upgrades over an existing PCS 7 installation are strictly prohibited and unsupported by Siemens.

Why does an in-place upgrade break PCS 7?

It replaces core DLLs, corrupts the integrated Microsoft SQL Server instance, and resets mandatory DCOM security permissions.

Does PCS 7 V9.0 SP1 support Windows 10 LTSC 2019?

No. PCS 7 V9.0 SP1 supports only Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2015. LTSC 2019 requires PCS 7 V9.0 SP2/SP3 or PCS 7 V9.1.

Are NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards supported in PCS 7?

No. Consumer GeForce gaming cards lack industrial drivers; Siemens supports integrated Intel graphics or professional NVIDIA Quadro GPUs on SIMATIC IPCs.

What is the difference between LTSB and LTSC?

LTSB (Long Term Servicing Branch) and LTSC (Long Term Servicing Channel) are specialized enterprise Windows editions with 10-year support and no consumer feature updates.

How do I safely upgrade to Windows 10 LTSC 2019?

Archive all projects, transfer out ALM licenses, format the drive, install Windows 10 LTSC 2019 clean, and install PCS 7 V9.0 SP3 or V9.1.

Do I need new licenses to move from V9.0 SP1 to V9.0 SP3?

No. Service packs within the same major release family (V9.0) utilize the same base V9.0 license keys.

What if I upgrade to PCS 7 V9.1?

Moving to PCS 7 V9.1 requires purchasing software upgrade licenses via an authorized Siemens distributor or the Siemens Industry Mall.

Where can I verify PC hardware and OS compatibility?

Use the online Siemens Kompatibilitäts-Tool (Compatibility Tool) available on Siemens Industry Online Support.

Can I run PCS 7 on Windows 10 Pro or Home?

No. Siemens explicitly restricts PCS 7 production environments to Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC or Windows Server.

Technical References

Related Articles

Related Tags

  • Windows 10 LTSC
  • Windows 10 LTSB
  • OS Upgrade
  • PCS 7 V9.0 SP1
  • In-Place Upgrade
  • Compatibility
  • SIMATIC IPC
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