Unfortunately this is just anecdotal. I also did many things in my life that were risky, and I got away with them every single time. This doesn't prove that they were not risky, or that my results are reproducible.

That said, I also hate Windows updates, and especially the way Windows handles them. LTSC is also my way to avoid some of it, especially the ""feature"" updates. LTSC is something I also recommend, if people can manage an activation server, or I can point them to mine.