Some devices come preinstalled with Windows 11 Home in S mode by the original equipment manufacturer and are shipped to consumers. Windows 11 in S mode is a version of Windows that’s streamlined for security and performance while providing a familiar Windows experience. When you use Windows in S mode, you are limited to installing apps only from the Microsoft Store. If you want to install an app that isn’t available in Microsoft Store, or if you have Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education and want to upgrade to Windows 11, you’ll need to permanently switch out of S mode. You can switch out of Windows S mode, but you won’t be able to go back to it, and it’s free to do so. Below is how to switch out of Windows s mode in Windows 11.
How to switch out of S mode in Windows 11
As described above, some devices come preinstalled with Windows 11 Home in S mode by the original equipment manufacturer and are shipped to consumers. If you want to install apps outside of the Microsoft Store, you will have to switch out of S mode in Windows 11. Switching out of S mode is one-way. If you switch out of S mode, you’ll need to keep using the standard version of Windows 11. Below is how to do that in Windows 11. On your PC running Windows 11 in S mode, click on the Start menu and select Settings. Within the Settings app, select System on the tile. On the right, select the Activation tile to expand. On the System -> Activation settings pane, click on the S mode tile to expand. On the expanded tile, click on the Open Store button as highlighted below. The button will open the Microsoft Store. Then click on the Get button under “Switch out of S mode“. When you do that, it should switch your device out of S mode. You will see an all set message when done. You should now be able to install apps outside of the Microsoft Store. That should do it! Conclusion: This post showed you how to switch out of s mode in Windows 11. If you find any error above or have something to add, please use the comment form below.
