How to Easily Disable S Mode in Windows 10

Disable S Mode so you can install any software you want

Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: October 9, 2023

Windows 10 S Mode is designed to provide enhanced security users, but it has a huge downside. S mode only allows you to download apps from the Microsoft Store, and you can only use Microsoft Edge as your default web browser. If you want to install apps not from the Microsoft Store, you'll need to turn off S Mode. Luckily, you can easily turn off S mode in the Settings menu. This wikiHow article will teach you how to turn off S mode on Windows 10.

Things You Should Know

To turn off S Mode, go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Activation" > "Go to the Store" > and click "Get" next to "Switch out of S Mode."
You'll need to be signed in with an Administrator account to turn off S mode.
Once you switch out of S Mode, you can not re-enable it.

Steps

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1
Open your Windows Settings. Click the Windows Start menu at the bottom-left corner of the screen, and then select the Settings gear icon.
- Only administrators can disable S Mode. Be sure to log into an account that has administrative privileges.
- Turning off S Mode is irreversible. Once you disable it, it cannot be re-enabled.
It's the button that has a refresh icon that looks like 2 arrows that form a circle.

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You'll find this in the panel on the left side of the window.
4
Click Go to the Store. You'll find this under the "Switch to Windows 10 Home" or "Switch to Windows 10 Pro" headers.
- Do not click this under "Upgrade your edition of Windows."
- If you aren't in S Mode, you won't see the previous options.
5
Click Get next to "Switch out of S Mode." The wording here may vary slightly, but it will be similar.
- When your Windows 10 PC 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.^{[1]
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Community Q&A

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Question

‘Go to store’ is not opening. What can I do?

Rupert

Top Answerer

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.

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Question

The "get" button is grayed out and won’t let me click on it. Is there a resolution to this?

Rupert

Top Answerer

Make sure you’re logged in as an administrator. Leaving S Mode is a significant, irreversible change to your computer, and therefore will most likely require administrator permission to complete.

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Question

Do you have to have a Microsoft ID to log into the store for the switch?

Rupert

Top Answerer

You shouldn’t need to be logged into your Microsoft online account to access the store.

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