How to Leave Windows 10's S Mode (2024)

Quick Links

  • Warning: This is Irreversible!

  • What You Need to Know About S Mode

  • Does Microsoft Charge to Leave S Mode?

  • How to Leave S Mode

  • Will You Get Windows 10 Home or Professional?

Some PCs, including Microsoft's Surface Laptop and the Windows on ARM PCs, run "Windows 10 in S Mode." In S Mode, Windows can only run apps from the Store---but you can leave S Mode in a few clicks.

Warning: This is Irreversible!

You can't undo this choice. You're free to leave S Mode at any time, but you can't put a PC back into S Mode after leaving it. This is a one-time decision for the life of your PC's hardware. If you decide you want to use S Mode again after leaving it---well, tough, you're out of luck until you get a new PC in S Mode.

Yes, this is really weird. We don't know why Microsoft doesn't offer an undo button, but that's just how it works.

We've seen some rumors that Microsoft might place a "Switch to S Mode" option in Windows 10's Redstone 5 update, allowing anyone to put any PC into S Mode. However, we haven't seen that option appear, and there hasn't been any official word from Microsoft---so don't count on it.

For now, you can only get a PC in S Mode if the manufacturer placed it into S Mode at the factory, and if no one has taken it out of S Mode since.

Related: What Is Windows 10 or Windows 11 in S Mode?

What You Need to Know About S Mode

There's no going back, so consider whether you might want S Mode before switching.

S Mode is a more locked down mode for Windows. While in S Mode, your PC can only install apps from the Store. This means you can only browse the web in Microsoft Edge---you can't install Chrome or Firefox. You can't even change Edge's default search engine in S Mode, so you're stuck with Bing---although you could set Google as your home page, if you wanted. Various developer tools, including command line shells like PowerShell and Bash, are also off limits. If you try running software that isn't allowed, you'll see a message explaining you're only allowed to get software from the Store.

For many Windows users, these limitations are just not acceptable. If you need applications that aren't available in the Store, you must disable S Mode to run them. However, for people who can get by with just applications from the Store, S Mode may be helpful.

That's because these restrictions also make it much harder for malware to get on your system. If all you need is a web browser, Microsoft Office, and other basic applications that are available in the Store,S Mode is a good idea. If you're giving the PC to a less experienced user, student, or employee who just needs these basic applications, S Mode can help keep that PC secure.

But, for now, let's be honest: Most PC users will want the full version of Windows 10 that isn't in S Mode. Most Windows desktop apps still aren't available in the Store, although some big apps like iTunes and Spotify now are. That's why most PCs don't come in S Mode.

If you have a Windows 10 on ARM device, leaving S Mode will let you run any 32-bit Windows desktop application---but many applications will be very slow. If you're using a Windows 10 PC with a standard Intel or AMD chip, you don't need to worry about this.

Related: Windows on ARM Doesn't Make Any Sense (Yet)

Does Microsoft Charge to Leave S Mode?

Leaving S Mode is free. Before Windows 10 in S Mode, there was Windows 10 S. Microsoft planned to charge $50 to switch from Windows 10 S to a standard desktop edition of Windows 10.

However, Microsoft relented on these plans, and Windows 10 S is gone. With Windows 10 in S Mode, leaving this mode is free.

How to Leave S Mode

It's easy to leave S Mode. To do so, first launch the "Microsoft Store" app. You'll find it in pinned to your Start menu and taskbar by default, and it also appears under the full list of installed apps in your Start menu.

In the Store, click the magnifying glass "Search" button on the toolbar. Search for "Switch out of S Mode."

You'll see a "Switch Out of S Mode" banner here. Click "Learn More" and the Store will walk you through the process of leaving S Mode. The process will just take a few clicks.

How to Leave Windows 10's S Mode (2)

Consult Microsoft's Windows 10 in S Mode FAQ if you need more information.

Will You Get Windows 10 Home or Professional?

Windows 10 in S Mode is just a special mode of the normal, existing editions of Windows 10. So, for example, your PC either came with Windows 10 Home in S Mode or Windows 10 Professional in S Mode. When you leave S Mode, you'll be using a standard edition of either Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Professional, depending on which edition your PC came with.

If you have Windows 10 Home and want Windows 10 Professional, you must pay $100 to upgrade. This will give you Professional-only features like the full set of BitLocker disk encryption tools.

For enterprises using Windows 10 Enterprise in S Mode or Windows 10 Education in S Mode, leaving S Mode will give the PC a standard Windows 10 Enterprise or Education operating system.

  • Windows
  • Windows 10
  • Installation

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Manage Your List

Follow

Followed

Follow with Notifications

Follow

Unfollow

Readers like you help support How-To Geek. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.

How to Leave Windows 10's S Mode (2024)
Top Articles
Matthew Berry’s Love/Hate for the 2024 fantasy football season
2024 ESPN High School Football Kickoff: Top players to watch
Www.paystubportal.com/7-11 Login
Po Box 7250 Sioux Falls Sd
Black Gelato Strain Allbud
Undergraduate Programs | Webster Vienna
Chalupp's Pizza Taos Menu
Apply A Mudpack Crossword
Elden Ring Dex/Int Build
Wunderground Huntington Beach
Blue Beetle Showtimes Near Regal Swamp Fox
2024 Non-Homestead Millage - Clarkston Community Schools
Nioh 2: Divine Gear [Hands-on Experience]
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt: Map of important locations M19
Nyuonsite
Bcbs Prefix List Phone Numbers
Snow Rider 3D Unblocked Wtf
TBM 910 | Turboprop Aircraft - DAHER TBM 960, TBM 910
Nine Perfect Strangers (Miniserie, 2021)
Talbots.dayforce.com
Nhl Tankathon Mock Draft
Craigslist Appomattox Va
Promiseb Discontinued
Ahn Waterworks Urgent Care
Noaa Duluth Mn
O'Reilly Auto Parts - Mathis, TX - Nextdoor
Parc Soleil Drowning
Craigslist Roseburg Oregon Free Stuff
Bidevv Evansville In Online Liquid
1 Filmy4Wap In
Netwerk van %naam%, analyse van %nb_relaties% relaties
Ficoforum
Unable to receive sms verification codes
Pulitzer And Tony Winning Play About A Mathematical Genius Crossword
Askhistorians Book List
Mark Ronchetti Daughters
O'reilly's Wrens Georgia
Adecco Check Stubs
Drabcoplex Fishing Lure
Closest 24 Hour Walmart
How to Destroy Rule 34
Sams La Habra Gas Price
Cherry Spa Madison
Kelly Ripa Necklace 2022
140000 Kilometers To Miles
Gym Assistant Manager Salary
Academic Notice and Subject to Dismissal
Swoop Amazon S3
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
Muni Metro Schedule
Msatlantathickdream
WHAT WE CAN DO | Arizona Tile
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Arline Emard IV

Last Updated:

Views: 6605

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Arline Emard IV

Birthday: 1996-07-10

Address: 8912 Hintz Shore, West Louie, AZ 69363-0747

Phone: +13454700762376

Job: Administration Technician

Hobby: Paintball, Horseback riding, Cycling, Running, Macrame, Playing musical instruments, Soapmaking

Introduction: My name is Arline Emard IV, I am a cheerful, gorgeous, colorful, joyous, excited, super, inquisitive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.