How to Exit S Mode in Windows 11

Why Exit S Mode?

Leave S Mode when you need software the Microsoft Store does not offer. Common examples are Google Chrome, Firefox, and work or school programs that come as a regular installer (.exe or .msi). It also applies to older tools, drivers and utilities that the Store does not carry.

After the switch, your PC runs the standard edition of Windows 11, either Home or Pro depending on what you started with, and you can install any program you want. Take a moment to decide before you go ahead, because turning S Mode off is permanent. If the Store apps cover everything you need, you can stay in S Mode and keep the extra protection.

What happens when you are done? Your computer runs a standard version of Windows 11. You can install programs from any source. You cannot go back to S Mode, and there is no setting or reset that restores it. The switch costs nothing. If a page asks you to pay to leave S Mode, close it. Your files, accounts and installed Store apps stay as they are.

Security and Performance Risks

Outside S Mode, your PC is less protected against viruses and malware. In S Mode, every app comes from the Microsoft Store and has been checked. Without that restriction, you can install software from anywhere, including websites and files that may not be safe.

Plan for this before you switch. Make sure Microsoft Defender (Windows Security) is on, or that you have another antivirus product you trust. Download programs only from the publisher's official site. Keep Windows Update running.

How to Exit S Mode

The short version: open Settings, go to System, and click Activation. Find the section that offers to switch to Windows 11 Pro or Windows 11 Home. Click its Open Store link to open the Microsoft Store app, then click the Get button. The switch is free.

You need an internet connection for this. You also need to be signed in to an administrator account on the PC. If the PC is managed by a school or employer, your organization may block the switch.

1. Open the Start menu and select Settings. The Settings app opens with a list of categories on the left.

   

2. Click System in the left-hand sidebar. The System page opens on the right, with options such as Display, Sound and Power.

   

3. Scroll down and select Activation from the list. The page shows your activation state and, on a PC in S Mode, a section for switching out of it.

   

4. Look for the S mode section and click the arrow to expand it. Depending on your build and edition, the section may be titled Switch to Windows 11 Home or Switch to Windows 11 Pro. It is the same switch. If you do not see this section, your PC is probably not in S Mode. You can check under Settings › System › About: in S Mode, the edition under Windows specifications reads "in S mode".
5. Click the Open Store button. The Microsoft Store app opens on a page made for leaving S Mode.

   

6. In the Microsoft Store, you will see the Switch out of S mode page. Click the Get button and wait while the Store processes the change. It usually takes a few seconds. Leave the Store window open until it finishes.

   

Once the process completes, you will see a confirmation message in the Store. You can now install apps from any source. A restart is not normally required. If you want to confirm the change, go back to Settings › System › Activation The S mode section should be gone. Under Settings › System › About, the edition should no longer say "in S mode".

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If the Get button is missing or does nothing, work through these checks in order:

1. Make sure you are signed in to the Microsoft Store with a valid Microsoft account.
2. Check for updates under Settings › Windows Update A pending Windows Update can block the process, so install anything waiting and restart if asked.
3. Confirm that your internet connection is working, then reopen the Microsoft Store and try again.
4. If you still get an error, restart your computer and repeat the steps from the start.

If the PC belongs to a school or company, the administrator may have disabled the switch on purpose. In that case, ask your IT department.

Summary

Exiting S Mode is free, permanent and one-way. It lets you install software from any source. You gain freedom, but you lose the added security of the Microsoft Store-only environment, and you cannot get it back. Make sure reliable antivirus protection is running once you make the switch, and download new software only from sources you trust.