Windows 10 and Windows 11 in S mode FAQ

Windows 10 in S mode is a version of Windows 10 that Microsoft configured to run on lighter devices, provide better security, and enable easier management.

You can opt out of this mode and revert to Windows 10 Home or Pro see below. Functionally, S mode supports the same basic services as the underlying Windows 10 license. Microsoft targets schools in particular and wants educators to have the necessary tools for class management. However, S mode also removes some significant capabilities to get these results. The first and most significant difference is that Windows 10 in S mode only allows apps to be installed from the Windows Store.

This limitation enables Microsoft to root out malware more efficiently and ensure a certain level of app quality, but it does limit what people can download and use. Similarly, Bing is the default search engine for S mode activities. Startup times and app activities are generally faster in S mode, which is a plus. The reason for the speed is that there are no Windows legacy apps to slow things down. Files automatically save in the cloud via OneDrive, which helps avoid bloat on smaller hard drives.

Any PC can be compatible with Windows 10 in S mode. A few PCs currently ship with Windows 10 in S mode. Also, several manufacturers make low-cost notebooks running in S Mode. Windows 10 S mode has numerous limitations, including browser restrictions to Edge and only letting you use Microsoft Store apps.

Step 2: Here, you will see a heading for Switch to Windows 10 Home or Switch to Windows 10 Pro, depending on which version can be enabled on your device. Below that, select the option that says Go to the Store. Choose Get to start running the update, and confirm. There is a chance that this requires Admin access. Windows 10 is the latest version of Microsoft\’s operating system, first released in When it came out, a Microsoft employee called it \”the last version of Windows.

Microsoft releases major feature updates twice a year, typically in March and in September, and Microsoft recommends installing each update as it is available. The latest was the November update. However, as hardware ages, some devices might not be able to receive updates anymore over time. Read more: The best antivirus protection of for Windows Windows 10 includes several new capabilities , including integration of Microsoft\’s digital assistant Cortana.

It also has a number of new security tools: Windows Defender Antivirus protects against malware and spyware across email, apps, the cloud and the web, while Windows Hello offers a password-free sign in option to unlock your devices with your face or a fingerprint reader.

While some people were initially hesitant to make the switch due to reports of several bugs in earlier versions of Windows 10, Microsoft has made several changes to its update approach starting with the May release, including slower rollouts with additional testing, more options for pausing updates and more disclosure of known issues, so your experience should be smoother.

Thanks for your feedback. How satisfied are you with this reply? Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site. DaveM Independent Advisor. Hi Wynne You can switch Windows 10 out of S Mode any time you wish to and it does not cost anything to do so. If you also see an \”Upgrade your edition of Windows\” section, be careful not to click the \”Go to the Store\” link that appears there. On the Switch out of S mode or similar page that appears in the Microsoft Store, select the Get button.

After you see a confirmation message on the page, you\’ll be able to install apps from outside of the Microsoft Store. Andre for Directly Independent Advisor.

Switch to Windows 10 Pro Education in S mode from Windows 10 Pro in S mode | Microsoft Docs – What is Windows 10?

 
replace.meycom › windowshome-pro-s. Windows 10 in S mode isn\’t another version of Windows Instead, it\’s a special mode that substantially limits Windows 10 in a variety of ways.

Switch to Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise from S mode – Windows Deployment | Microsoft Docs – The average Joe

Table of contents Exit focus mode. Table of contents. Note There is currently no \”bulk-switch\” option for devices running Windows 10, version In this article. Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support. It\’s a configuration that\’s available on all Windows Editions when enabled at the time of manufacturing. The edition of Windows can be upgrade at any time as shown below. However, the switch from S mode is a onetime switch and can only be undone by a wipe and reload of the OS.

Microsoft Edge, your default browser, gives you protection against phishing and socially engineered malware. Start-ups are quick, and S mode is built to keep them that way. Unless you switch out of S mode, you\’ll only be able to use apps from Microsoft Store on your device. There are important limitations regarding apps and switching out of S mode on Windows 11 Snapdragon devices.

Domain join is not available in Windows 11 Home in S mode. When you\’re using Windows 11 in S mode, Microsoft Edge is always the default web browser, and Bing is the default search engine.

But you can access other browsers and search engines while in S mode. You can download any browser available in Microsoft Store in Windows, and you can navigate to any other search engine website. If you want to download a browser or any other application that\’s not in Microsoft Store, you\’ll need to permanently switch out of S mode.

After you switch, you can then set your default browser and search engine to the one you choose, but you won\’t be able to return to S mode again. Yes, we recommend all Windows devices use antivirus software. Currently, the only antivirus software known to be compatible with Windows 11 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 11 device.

For more info, see Windows security. Also note that by exclusively using apps from Microsoft Store and browsing safely with Microsoft Edge, Windows 11 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 11 device in S mode.

Many hardware accessories and peripherals such as printers that work with Windows 11 Home also work with Windows 11 in S mode, though sometimes they only offer limited functionality. For additional info, see Windows 10 in S mode accessory compatibility or contact your accessory manufacturer. Always be connected to the internet. With a cellular data connection, you can be online wherever you get a cellular signal—just like with your mobile phone.

Free you from outlets with a battery life that goes beyond all-day. You\’ll use less power than you would with other PCs, so you can go through a typical work or school day without running out of battery or worrying about finding an outlet to plug into.

If you want to use the PC for something more fun, you can enjoy up to 20 or more hours of local video playback between battery charges. Turn on instantly. When you take out your PC and turn it back on, it turns on instantly.

Whenever you have a few minutes in between classes, meetings, or other activities, you can get things done without waiting for your PC to start up. Whether you\’re running Windows 11 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 11 PC running on a Snapdragon processor. For more info, check with the hardware manufacturer or the organization that developed the driver.

Drivers are software programs that communicate with hardware devices—they\’re commonly used for antivirus and antimalware software, printing or PDF software, assistive technologies, CD and DVD utilities, and virtualization software. Whether you\’re in S mode or not, peripherals and devices only work if the drivers they depend on are built into Windows. Games and apps won\’t work if they use a version of OpenGL greater than 1.

You can check with your game publisher to see if a game will work. Apps that customize the Windows experience might have problems. This includes some input method editors IMEs , assistive technologies, and cloud storage apps. The organization that develops the app determines whether their app will work on a Windows 11 PC running on a Snapdragon processor. You won\’t be able to install third-party antivirus software on any edition of Windows 11 running on a Snapdragon processor.

However, Windows Defender Security Center will help keep you safe for the supported lifetime of your Windows 11 device. Windows 11 in S mode provides built-in accessibility features that help you do more on your device. You can check Microsoft Store to see if your preferred assistive technology apps are available for a PC running in S mode.

If they aren\’t available, you can permanently switch out of S mode to use non-Microsoft Store apps. You may want to check with the vendor to find out if their application is compatible with Windows 11 running on a Snapdragon processor. Not all assistive technology apps work as expected, even if you switch out of S mode.

For more info, visit the NV Access website. Note: Switching out of S mode is one-way. If you make the switch, you won\’t be able to go back to S mode. To learn more, see How do I switch out of S mode? If you make this switch, it\’s permanent. Also, even if you aren\’t in S mode, peripherals and devices will only work if the drivers they depend on are built into Windows It\’s a good idea to check whether the hardware developer has published a version of the driver that runs on a Windows 11 device with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

Read more: You can still download Windows 10 for free — and you should because Windows 7 is dead. Windows 10 is the latest version of Microsoft\’s operating system, first released in When it came out, a Microsoft employee called it \”the last version of Windows. Microsoft releases major feature updates twice a year, typically in March and in September, and Microsoft recommends installing each update as it is available.

The latest was the November update. However, as hardware ages, some devices might not be able to receive updates anymore over time.