Windows 10 Pro vs Windows 10 LTSB 2016

[Winter Blue]

I have 2xM.2 960 Evos, one loaded with Windows 10 Pro, and the other loaded with Windows 10 LTSB. As you would imagine LTSB is faster at everything as it doesn't have any of that lovely "free" software MS forces on you.

My only question is.. with the exact same setup and same third-party programs installed (steam, corsair link, etc..) why it would benchmark slightly lower?

Here are the benchmarks for Windows 10 Pro:
https://imgur.com/a/CmEZV

LTSB:
https://imgur.com/a/dHSi2

This is just kinda puzzling me.
Any thoughts?

Setup:

Spoiler

i7-7700k
ASROCK Taichi Z270
16GB DDR4 G.SKILL Trident-Z
GTX 1070 Zotac Extreme Amp!
Corsair GTX H110i
2x 256gb Samsung 960 Evo
512gb PNY Extreme
2x 1tb WD Blue
750w EVGA Modular

 

[clonazepam]

An updated operating system with drivers optimized for it have greater effect on performance than a leaner operating system that has fewer running apps. That suggests Microsoft and its partners know what they're doing and manage resources pretty efficiently (at least while running a little benchmark).

That's my casual opinion after a glance at your results.