Windows 10 and Windows 11 in S mode FAQ – Flick of a switch

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jul 07,  · These are two methods to disable S mode on Windows 11 and Windows S mode was introduced with Windows 10 and the same feature is available with Windows 11 as well. If you want to download and install programs from third-party sources then you should definitely turn off S mode. Sep 12,  · How to Turn Off Windows 10 S Mode To turn off Windows 10 S Mode, click the Start button then go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation. Select Go to the Store and click Get under the Switch out of S Mode panel. Then click Install and wait for the process to replace.meted Reading Time: 5 mins. If you make the switch, you won’t be able to go back to Windows 10 in S mode. There’s no charge to switch out of S mode. On your PC running Windows 10 in S mode, open Settings > Update & Security > Activation. In the Switch to Windows 10 Home or Switch to Windows 10 Pro section, select Go to the Store. (If you also see an “Upgrade your edition of Windows” section, be careful not to click the “Go to .
 
 

 

Easy Ways to Turn Off S Mode in Windows 5 Steps

 

Windows provides a number of built-in accessibility features to help you do more. If you need to use assistive technology apps that aren’t available through Microsoft Store, and aren’t downloadable on a Windows 11 device in S mode, you’ll need to switch out of S mode and you won’t be able to switch back.

Windows 10 in S mode is a version of Windows 10 that’s streamlined for security and performance, while providing a familiar Windows experience. When you upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, the upgrade will attempt to install the same edition in Windows 11 as you have on your Windows 10 device. If you have the Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions of Windows 10 in S mode, Windows Update will not offer Windows 11 because S mode is not available in those editions of Windows Therefore, if you have the Pro, Enterprise or Education editions of Windows 10 in S mode, you’ll need to switch out of S mode to upgrade to Windows To increase security and performance, Windows 10 in S mode runs only apps from Microsoft Store.

If you want to install an app that isn’t available in Microsoft Store, you’ll need to permanently switch out of S mode. You can find important info in What limitations should I be aware of when using a PC running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor? If you have an existing Windows 10 S device and you install the April Update or later, you’ll have a Windows 10 Pro device in S mode.

Windows 10 in S mode on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. If you make this switch, it’s permanent, and bit x64 apps still won’t run. In most cases, if you install an app from Microsoft Store on another Windows 10 PC, you should be able to install it on your PC with Windows 10 in S mode if you sign in with the same Microsoft account.

There are important limitations regarding apps and switching out of S mode on Windows 10 Snapdragon devices. It depends on the type of Domain join you use and which edition of Windows 10 your device is running. It’s not available in Windows 10 Home in S mode. On-premise Domain join is not available in S mode for any edition of Windows. To enable On-premise Domain join, switch the device out of S mode and run a Windows edition that includes the Domain join feature Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Enterprise.

When you’re using Windows 10 in S mode, Microsoft Edge is always the default web browser, and Bing is the default search engine. Currently, the only antivirus software known to be compatible with Windows 10 in S mode is the version that comes with it: Windows Defender Security Center.

Windows Defender Security Center delivers a robust suite of security features that help keep you safe for the supported lifetime of your Windows 10 device. For more info, see Windows 10 security. Also note that by exclusively using apps from Microsoft Store and browsing safely with Microsoft Edge, Windows 10 in S mode keeps you running more quickly and securely day in and day out. If you want to use another antivirus software provider, you can ask if they offer a product that runs on a Windows 10 device in S mode.

Many hardware accessories and peripherals such as printers that work with Windows 10 Home and Pro also work with Windows 10 in S mode, though sometimes they only offer limited functionality.

Whether you’re running Windows 10 in S mode or not, there are some limitations when you run a PC on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor:. Drivers for hardware, games and apps will only work if they’re designed for a Windows 10 PC running on a Snapdragon processor. You can usually find bit x86 versions of apps, but some app developers only offer bit x64 apps.

The organization that develops the app detemines whether their app will work on a Windows 10 PC running on a Snapdragon processor. You won’t be able to install third-party antivirus software on any edition of Windows 10 running on a Snapdragon processor.

However, Windows Defender Security Center will help keep you safe for the supported lifetime of your Windows 10 device. Windows 10 in S mode provides built-in accessibility features that help you do more on your device. You may want to check with the vendor to find out if their application is compatible with Windows 10 running on a Snapdragon processor. It’s a good idea to check whether the hardware developer has published a version of the driver that runs on a Windows 10 device with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

Every Windows 10 PC running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor can connect to a cellular data network, whether or not it’s S mode enabled. Windows 10 in S mode only works with compatible apps from Microsoft Store. Many hardware accessories and peripherals such as printers that work with Windows 10 will also work with Windows 10 in S mode, but might have limited functionality. See Windows 10 in S mode Accessory Compatibility for more info on Microsoft hardware accessories, and for links to contact third parties if you have questions about using their accessories with Windows 10 in S mode.

Yes, education customers can test Windows 10 in S mode on an existing Windows 10 device. This offer is for technical users, so please see the important pre-installation information at docs. If you try to use an app that’s not in Microsoft Store, you’ll get a reminder that the app isn’t an option when you’re using Windows 10 in S mode. If you need to use assistive technology apps that aren’t available through Microsoft Store, and aren’t downloadable on a Windows 10 device in S mode, you’ll need to switch out of S mode and you won’t be able to switch back.

Windows 10 Enterprise in S mode is a subscription that provides additional options for your compatible device. You’ll get:. To install it, you’ll need the right volume license agreement and existing qualifying devices that are already enabled in S mode. Or you can work with the manufacturer or partner to get it installed when you buy a new device.

If your device is running Windows 10 Enterprise in S mode and you choose to switch out of S mode, your device will be running Windows 10 Enterprise. There are a lot of good reasons to put a Windows 10 PC in S mode, including:. Performance and security improvements always come at a cost though, and Windows 10 in S mode is no different.

This guide examines the pros and cons of Windows 10 in S mode, how exactly it works, and whether S mode is a good fit for most Windows users. Running Windows 10 in S mode is more secure for several reasons. It does not allow unverified applications to be downloaded or used, which minimizes any risk of malware or virus that comes with unverified applications. This also helps reduce the memory usage of the computer.

In addition, users are restricted to using Microsoft Defender , a complete antivirus program to detect and remove spyware , malware and viruses. Microsoft Defender comes pre-installed with Windows Large-scale enterprise and education deployments have one thing in common: They have a lot of computer users, and they need a way to manage them.

Using Windows 10 in S mode makes managing the devices easier, as there is inherently less exposure to viruses and malware for users that are confined to approved Windows systems and apps. Another benefit is that Windows 10 is designed to run more efficiently, making it ideal for low-powered computers, which are more affordable for larger teams.

If you feel Windows 10 in S mode is not your cup of tea, you can easily switch to the full version by activating the Windows 10 full version through the settings.

There are no charges for switching off of S mode; however, keep in mind that switching out is a one-way street. Users who need to use apps that are not available on the Microsoft Store will find Windows 10 in S mode offers less usability. While the catalog of apps available through Microsoft Store is impressive, it is missing some important applications, such as specific web browsers, Adobe software and Apple apps. You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply to this thread.

I have the same question Report abuse. Details required :. Cancel Submit. Juliet Erum Independent Advisor. Hi Tenfigures1 How are you? I hope you are doing good. Welcome to Microsoft Community : I am Juliet, an independent advisor and a Microsoft user like you : It’s my pleasure to help you today. Then click Install and wait for the process to finish. Take note that switching out of S Mode is a one-way process. When your Windows 10 computer switches out of S Mode, you’ll receive an email confirmation that you’ll be able to install and run apps outside of the Microsoft Store.

Go to source. Try re-launching the settings app, or restarting your computer. This may be a minor bug that restarting will fix. Alternatively, you can use the search function from the start menu to access the store directly, and leave S Mode from there, without going through settings. We’re glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more.

Claim Your Gift If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Support wikiHow Yes No. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2. Is there a resolution to this? Leaving S Mode is a significant, irreversible change to your computer, and therefore will most likely require administrator permission to complete.

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1. Not Helpful 2 Helpful 0. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published.

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Click Update & Security. It’s with a refresh icon that looks like 2 arrows that form a circle. Click Activation. You’ll find this in the panel on the left. Switching out of S mode in Windows On your PC running Windows 10 in S mode, open Settings > Update & Security > Activation. Find the Switch to Windows To turn off Windows 10 S Mode, click the Start button then go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation. Select Go to the Store and click Get under the Switch out of S Mode panel. Then click Install and wait for the process to finish.