Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support. The Windows 10 in S mode self-installer will allow you to test Windows 10 in S mode on various individual Windows 10 devices except Windows 10 Home with a genuine, activated license 1.

Test Windows 10 in S mode on various devices in your school and share your feedback with us. Windows 10 in S mode is built to give schools the familiar, robust, and productive experiences you count on from Windows in an experience that’s been streamlined for security and performance in the classroom, and built to work with Microsoft Education 2. Windows 10 in S mode is different from other editions of Windows 10 as everything that runs on the device is verified by Microsoft for security and performance.

Therefore, Windows 10 in S mode works exclusively with apps from the Microsoft Store. Some accessories and apps compatible with Windows 10 may not work and performance may vary. Certain default settings, features, and apps can’t be changed. When you install Windows 10 in S mode, your existing applications and settings will be deleted, and you’ll only be able to install apps from the Microsoft Store.

For more information on how to do these configurations, see Use the Set up School PCs app and Windows 10 configuration recommendations for education customers. As we finalize development of Office for Windows 10 in S mode Education preview , the applications will be updated automatically. You must have an Office license to activate the applications once they’re installed. Before you install Windows 10 in S mode, understand that non-Microsoft Store apps won’t work, peripherals that require custom drivers may not work, and other errors may occur.

In particular, this release of Windows 10 in S mode:. May not work with some device drivers, which may not yet be ready for Windows 10 in S mode and may cause some loss in functionality.

May not be compatible with all peripherals that require custom drivers and, even if compatible, may cause aspects of the peripheral to not function. Has software and feature limitations compared to other Windows 10 editions, primarily that Windows 10 in S mode is limited to Store apps only.

You can install Windows 10 in S mode on devices running other editions of Windows For more information, see Supported devices. However, we don’t recommend installing Windows 10 in S mode on Windows 10 Home devices as you won’t be able to activate it.

Won’t run current Win32 software and might result in the loss of any data associated with that software, which might include software already purchased. Due to these reasons, we recommend that you use the installation tool and avoid doing a clean install from an ISO media. To update your device to Windows 10, version , see Download Windows Create a system backup in case you would like to return to your previously installed version of Windows 10 after trying Windows 10 in S mode.

For more information on how to create the system backup, see Create a recovery drive. The Windows 10 in S mode install will install and activate on the following editions of Windows 10 in use by schools:. Other Windows 10 editions can’t be activated and aren’t supported. If your device isn’t running one of these supported Windows 10 editions, don’t proceed with using the Windows 10 in S mode installer. Windows N editions and running in virtual machines aren’t supported by the Windows 10 in S mode installer.

Make sure all drivers are installed and working properly on your device running Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Pro Education, Windows 10 Education, or Windows 10 Enterprise before installing Windows 10 in S mode. Check with your device manufacturer before trying Windows 10 in S mode on your device to see if the drivers are available and supported by the device manufacturer. Back up all your data before installing Windows 10 in S mode.

Only personal files may be kept during installation. Your settings and apps will be deleted. All existing Win32 applications and data will be deleted. Save any data or installation files in case you may need to access that data again or need to reinstall these applications later. Windows 10 in S mode doesn’t support non-Azure Active Directory domain accounts. Before installing Windows 10 in S mode, you must have at least one of these administrator accounts:.

If you don’t have one of these administrator accounts accessible before migration, you’ll not be able to sign in to your device after migrating to Windows 10 in S mode.

We recommend creating a recovery drive before migrating to Windows 10 in S mode in case you run into this issue. If Windows 10 in S mode isn’t right for you, you can switch to the Windows 10 edition previously installed on your device s. Before installing Windows 10 in S mode, we recommend that you create a system backup in case you would like to return to Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Pro Education after trying Windows 10 in S mode.

From the taskbar, search for Create a recovery drive and then select it. You might be asked to enter an admin password or confirm your choice. In the Recovery drive tool, make sure Back up system files to the recovery drive is selected and then select Next. When it’s done, you might see a Delete the recovery partition from your PC link on the final screen. If you want to free up drive space on your PC, select the link, and then select Delete.

If not, select Finish. This revert operation will keep your personal files, but it will remove installed apps and any changes you made to Settings. After going back to your previous edition of Windows 10, you may receive the following message when launching Win32 apps:.

If you’ve BitLocker enabled, disable it first in the Control Panel. After restarting, in the Choose an option page, select Troubleshoot. If you can’t find one of these options, check the Boot menu. We recommend following these steps again to re-enable the Secure boot configuration , Secure boot , or UEFI Boot option, which you disabled in step 9, and then subsequently re-enable BitLocker if you previously had this enabled.

This will remove all your personal files, apps, and installed drivers. On a working PC, go to the Microsoft software download website. On the initial setup screen, enter your language and other preferences, and then select Next.

If you’re not seeing the setup screen, your PC might not be set up to boot from a drive. Check your PC manufacturer’s website for information on how to change your PC’s boot order, and then try again. On the Enter the product key to active Windows page, enter a product key if you’ve one. If you upgraded to Windows 10 for free, or bought and activated Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store, select Skip and Windows will automatically activate later.

For more information, see Activate Windows. On the License terms page, select I accept the license terms if you agree, and then select Next.

On the Which type of installation do you want? On the where do you want to install Windows? Make sure you read the important pre-installation information and all the above information. When you’re ready, you can download the Windows 10 in S mode installer by clicking the Download installer button below:.

Download installer. Because you’re installing Windows 10 in S mode on a running version of Windows 10, you’ve already accepted the Windows 10 Terms and Conditions. Thank you for testing Windows 10 in S mode. Your best experience will be running on a supported device as mentioned above. However, we invite you to try Windows 10 in S mode on existing devices with an eligible operating system.

If you’re having difficulty installing or running Windows 10 in S mode, use the Windows Feedback Hub to report your experience to Microsoft. This feedback is the best way to help improve Windows 10 in S mode with your feedback.

Testing Windows 10 in S mode on a device running Windows 10 Home isn’t recommended and supported at this time. OEMs typically only support their devices with the operating system that was pre-installed. When testing Windows 10 in S mode, be ready to restore your own PC back to factory settings without assistance.

Steps to return to your previous installation of Windows 10 are covered above. Reset or Fresh Start will operate correctly and keep you on Windows 10 in S mode. They also remove the day go back ability. See Switch to previously installed Windows 10 editions to return to your previous installation of Windows 10 if you wish to discontinue using Windows 10 in S mode.

If you want to discontinue using Windows 10 in S mode, follow the instructions to return to your previous installation of Windows If you already had Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Pro Education on the device you’re testing on, you should be able to move to Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Pro Education at no charge with the instructions in this document.

Otherwise, there may be a cost to acquire a Windows 10 Pro license in the Store. Skip to main content. This browser is no longer supported.

Download Microsoft Edge More info. Table of contents Exit focus mode. Table of contents. Warning You can install Windows 10 in S mode on devices running other editions of Windows Note All existing Win32 applications and data will be deleted.

Warning If you don’t have one of these administrator accounts accessible before migration, you’ll not be able to sign in to your device after migrating to Windows 10 in S mode. Note We recommend following these steps again to re-enable the Secure boot configuration , Secure boot , or UEFI Boot option, which you disabled in step 9, and then subsequently re-enable BitLocker if you previously had this enabled.

Warning This will remove all your personal files, apps, and installed drivers. Submit and view feedback for This product This page. View all page feedback. In this article.

 
 

 

Windows 10 Home in S Mode Will Also Get the Free Windows 11 Upgrade

 

Windows 11 in S mode is a version of Windows 11 that’s streamlined for security and performance, while providing a familiar Windows experience. To increase security, it allows only apps from Microsoft Store, and requires Microsoft Edge for safe browsing. Some devices come preinstalled with Windows 11 Home in S mode by the original equipment manufacturer.

The upgrade rollout for Windows 11 begins in October and will continue into Specific timing will vary by device. After the upgrade has been tested and validated for your specific PC, Windows Update will indicate that it’s ready for installation.

If the upgrade is available for your device and you want to proceed, download and install it. Windows 11 in S mode is only available in the Windows 11 Home edition. If you have the Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions of Windows 10 in S mode, you will need to permanently switch out of S mode to upgrade to Windows To increase security and performance, Windows 11 in S mode runs only apps from 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. There’s no charge to switch out of S mode, but you won’t be able to turn it back on. If you’re blocked from switching and your device belongs to an organization, check with your administrator. Your organization can choose to keep all devices in S mode.

Note: Don’t select the link under Upgrade your edition of Windows. That’s a different process that will keep you in S mode. On the page that appears in Microsoft Store Switch out of S mode or a similar page , select the Get button. After you confirm this action, you’ll be able to install apps from outside Microsoft Store. Open Microsoft Store. 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 You can download and install apps from Microsoft Store in Windows. To find Microsoft Store apps, you must be in Windows To discover which apps are available for your device, select Microsoft Store on the taskbar. If you don’t see the Microsoft Store icon on the taskbar, select Start , type Microsoft Store , then select it in the list of results to open the Store.

Apps you bought from Microsoft Store are linked to your Microsoft account. In most cases, if you install an app from Microsoft Store on another Windows 11 PC, you should be able to install it on your PC with Windows 11 in S mode if you sign in with the same Microsoft account. 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.

Note that switching out of S mode is one-way. If you make the switch, you won’t be able to go back to S mode on that device. For more info, see How do I switch out of S mode? Every Windows 11 PC running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor can connect to a cellular data network, whether or not it’s S mode enabled. This lets you get online wherever you have a cellular signal. You’ll need a data plan and a SIM card from your mobile operator.

To learn how to get connected after that, see Cellular settings in Windows. To see if your device will work, check the hardware manufacturer’s website or your mobile operator’s website.

You can also buy prepaid cellular data plans through Microsoft Store. For more information about how to buy a plan, see Add your Windows PC to your mobile account to get online. Windows 11 in S mode only works with compatible apps from Microsoft Store.

Most apps in Microsoft Store work the same for devices whether they’re in S mode or not. Many hardware accessories and peripherals such as printers that work with Windows 11 will also work with Windows 11 in S mode, but might have limited functionality.

See Windows 10 in S mode Accessory Compatibility for more info on Microsoft hardware accessories, and for links to contact third parties if you have questions about using their accessories with Windows 11 in S mode.

If you don’t find information on a specific model, check with your accessory manufacturer. If you try to use an app that’s not in Microsoft Store, you’ll get a reminder that the app isn’t an option when you’re using Windows 11 in S mode. We’ll often suggest a category of similar apps or a specific app that’s already available in Microsoft Store. If you still want to download an application that’s not in Microsoft Store or has compatibility issues, you can switch out of S mode, but you won’t be able to switch back again.

The number of compatible apps and devices will continue to grow. For the most up-to-date information, you can always check back at this website, at Microsoft Store in Windows, or with the hardware or software manufacturer. If you absolutely need to use an app or device that’s not compatible, it’s easy to switch out of S mode—you just won’t be able to switch back.

Windows provides a number of built-in accessibility features to help you do more. If you need to use assistive technology apps that aren’t available through Microsoft Store, and aren’t downloadable on a Windows 11 device in S mode, you’ll need to switch out of S mode and you won’t be able to switch back.

Windows 10 in S mode is a version of Windows 10 that’s streamlined for security and performance, while providing a familiar Windows experience.