- Powering Up and Powering Down
- Finding Your Way Around Windows
- Switching from Windows S Mode to Windows Home
Switching from Windows S Mode to Windows Home
If you just purchased a new PC, it’s likely that your computer is running a special version of Windows called Windows S Mode. Windows S Mode is just like regular Windows except it can run only Windows apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store. Computers running in Windows S Mode cannot use traditional desktop software, such as Adobe Reader and Photoshop Elements.
Microsoft’s stated reason for introducing Windows S Mode is to make Windows-based computers more secure. Apps available in the Microsoft Store are “Microsoft-verified” for security, whereas traditional software apps are not.
The built-in limitations of Windows S Mode make it less than ideal for many computer users, especially those using older software not available in the Microsoft Store. Fortunately, you can quickly and easily switch your version of Windows from Windows S Mode to Windows Home, which does run traditional desktop software. The switch takes just a few minutes of your time, and it’s totally free.
Switch from Windows S Mode to Windows Home
Any computer running Windows S Mode, new or old, can be upgraded to Windows Home for free. (Note, however, that you cannot switch back to Windows S Mode from Windows Home; this is a one-way switch.)
Click or tap the Windows Start button to open the Start menu.
Click or tap Settings to open the Settings tool.
Click or tap System on the left.
Scroll down and click or tap Activation on the right.
Go to the Switch to Windows 11 Home section and click or tap Go to the Store. This opens the Microsoft Store app to the appropriate Switch Out of S Mode page.
Click or tap the Get button.
It only takes a few seconds—no rebooting required—for your computer to switch from Windows S Mode to Windows Home. When Windows notifies you that the switch is complete, click or tap Close.