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 the 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. Once 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 the Microsoft Store. If you want to install an app that isn't available in the 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 windows 10 in s mode upgrade free download Windows.
That's a different process that will keep you in S mode. On the page that appears in the Microsoft Store Switch out of S mode or a similar pageselect the Get button.
After you confirm this action, you'll be able to install apps from outside the 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 the 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 the Start button, type Microsoft Storethen select it in the list of results to open the Store.
If you make this switch, it's permanent, and bit x64 apps still won't run. Apps you bought from the Microsoft Store are linked to your Microsoft account.
In most cases, if you install an app from the 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 the Microsoft Store on your device. There are important limitations regarding apps and switching out of S mode on Windows 11 Snapdragon devices.
Domain join in 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 the 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 the Microsoft Store, you'll need to permanently switch out of S mode.
Windows 10 in s mode upgrade free download 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 the 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 windows 10 in s mode upgrade free download 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, windows 10 in s mode upgrade free download 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 windows 10 in s mode upgrade free download depend on are built into Windows. You can usually find bit x86 versions of apps, but some app developers only offer bit x64 apps. 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 windows 10 in s mode upgrade free download method editors IMEsassistive 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 windows 10 in s mode upgrade free download 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 10 in s mode upgrade free download 11 device. Windows 11 in S mode provides built-in accessibility features that help you do more on your device. You can check the 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? 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 the Microsoft Store. For more information about how to buy a plan, see Get online with windows 10 in s mode upgrade free download cellular data.
Windows 11 in S mode only works with compatible apps from the Microsoft Store. Most apps in the 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 windows 10 in s mode upgrade free download 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 the Microsoft Windows 10 in s mode upgrade free download, 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 the Microsoft Store. If you still want to download an application that's not in the 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 the 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 the Microsoft Store, and aren't downloadable on a Windows 11 device in S mode, you'll need windows 10 in s mode upgrade free download switch out of S mode and you won't be able to switch back.
