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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchIf switching out of S mode is not working in Windows 11, first confirm that the PC is running Windows 11 Home in S mode. Then use the Microsoft Store switching page; if it fails, troubleshoot Store sign-in, updates, cache, app repair, and organizational restrictions. Leaving S mode is free and permanent.
1. Confirm that Windows 11 S mode applies to your PC
S mode is available only with Windows 11 Home. Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education do not use S mode. If the PC is already running standard Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro, the S-mode switching option will not appear because there is nothing left to switch.
- Open Start.
- Select Settings.
- Open System > Activation.
A Home device still in S mode normally shows a section with wording similar to Switch to Windows 11 Pro and a Go to the Store link. The wording is misleading: this is the supported route for leaving S mode, not an upgrade to Windows 11 Pro.
If Activation identifies the edition as Pro, Enterprise, or Education, the PC is not in Windows 11 S mode.
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2. Use the correct Microsoft Store procedure
Windows 11 has two Store-related links in Activation. Only one is for leaving S mode.
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation.
- Find the section headed Switch to Windows 11 Pro, or similar wording.
- Select Go to the Store in that section.
- When Microsoft Store opens the Switch out of S mode page, select Get.
- Wait for the confirmation message before closing the Store.
Do not select the link under Upgrade your edition of Windows. That is a separate edition-upgrade process and keeps the device in S mode.
Important: Switching out of S mode is permanent. It does not erase your files or reinstall Windows, but you cannot reverse the change through a normal Windows setting.
3. Reset the Microsoft Store cache
If Go to the Store does nothing, Microsoft Store opens to a blank page, or the Store page fails to load, reset its cache.
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- Enter wsreset.exe.
- Select OK.
- Wait for the blank Command Prompt window to close. This normally takes about 10 seconds.
- Microsoft Store should open automatically.
Return to the Switch out of S mode page and select Get again. wsreset.exe resets the Store cache; it does not switch Windows out of S mode. Microsoft’s documented command is wsreset.exe, not wsreset -i as an S-mode switching command.
4. Repair or reset Microsoft Store
Windows 11 can repair the Store app without reinstalling Windows.
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- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Microsoft Store.
- Select the … button beside it.
- Select Advanced options.
- Select Repair.
- If Repair does not help, return to the same page and select Reset.
- Restart Windows and try the switch again.
Resetting can remove the Store app’s local data and settings, so try Repair first.
5. Install Windows and Store updates
Microsoft’s Store troubleshooting sequence includes signing in to a Microsoft account and installing pending Windows updates.
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- Open Start > Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates.
- Install available updates.
- Restart the PC if Windows asks you to.
Update Microsoft Store
- Open Microsoft Store.
- Select Library.
- Select Get updates.
Available Store updates install automatically. Afterward, reopen the S-mode page and select Get.
6. Sign in to Microsoft Store
Microsoft says the Store app may not be available when Windows is using only a local account. If Store is missing or the switching page will not load, sign in to Microsoft Store with a Microsoft account.
- Select Start and search for Microsoft Store.
- Open the app.
- Sign in if prompted.
- Return to the S-mode page and try Get again.
If Microsoft Store does not appear in search results, Microsoft identifies a local account or an organizational Store restriction as possibilities.
7. Correct the date, time, time zone, and region
Incorrect time or regional settings can interfere with Microsoft Store access.
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- Open Start > Settings > Time & language > Date & time.
- Turn on Set time automatically.
- Turn on Set time zone automatically, if appropriate for your location.
- Open Time & language > Language & region.
- Under Country or region, select the country where the PC is actually being used.
- Restart Windows.
Do not change the country merely to bypass the problem. Region changes can affect Microsoft Store apps, games, subscriptions, and Microsoft account balances.
8. Investigate a missing “Go to the Store” link
A missing link does not always indicate that Microsoft Store is broken. Check these possibilities:
| What you see | Likely explanation |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education | Those editions do not use Windows 11 S mode. |
| Standard Windows 11 Home | The PC has already left S mode. |
| Microsoft Store is missing | The Store may be unavailable with a local account or disabled by an organization. |
| Work or school-managed PC | An administrator may have blocked switching. |
| Home in S mode, but no Store page | Store access, updates, or cache may need attention. |
Organizations can control S mode through Microsoft Intune. Its Mode switch setting can be No configuration, Keep in S mode, or Switch. The Keep in S mode option prevents users from leaving S mode.
If the PC belongs to an employer, school, or other organization, contact its administrator. The administrator must change the policy or perform the switch through device management.
9. If “Get” does nothing
When Microsoft Store opens but the Get button has no visible effect, treat the problem as a Store transaction or app failure. Work through this order:
- Sign in to Microsoft Store with a Microsoft account.
- Install Windows updates from Settings > Windows Update.
- Update Store apps through Microsoft Store > Library > Get updates.
- Run wsreset.exe from Windows key + R.
- Repair Microsoft Store through Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft Store > … > Advanced options > Repair.
- Use Reset if Repair fails.
- Restart the computer.
- Open the S-mode page again and select Get.
Microsoft does not document a separate registry edit, product key, or command-line switch for manually disabling S mode. Avoid modifying the registry or following instructions that claim to remove S mode by changing an undocumented value.
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Common misconceptions
Switching out of S mode upgrades Home to Pro
It does not. Leaving S mode and upgrading the Windows edition are separate operations. The Go to the Store link in the S-mode section is the correct route; the separate edition-upgrade link keeps the device in S mode.
S mode can be turned back on later
It cannot be restored through Windows Settings after you leave it. Reinstalling Windows in S mode would be a separate operating-system installation, not a reversible toggle.
A registry edit is the fastest fix
Microsoft’s supported consumer procedure uses the Microsoft Store. A registry edit or product key is not documented as a supported way to disable S mode and can create licensing or startup problems.
Windows 10 users
Windows 10 S mode uses a different path: Settings > Update & Security > Activation. Windows 11 uses Settings > System > Activation. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, so this guide focuses on Windows 11.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Why is “Switch out of S mode” missing in Windows 11?
The PC may already be running standard Windows 11, may use Pro, Enterprise, or Education, or may be restricted by a school or employer. Microsoft Store may also be unavailable because of a local account or organization policy.
Does switching out of S mode cost money?
No. Leaving S mode is free. It is separate from purchasing or activating a different Windows edition.
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Will leaving S mode delete my files?
No. The supported Store switch changes Windows out of its restricted mode; it is not a reset or reinstall. Backups are still recommended before major system changes.
What does wsreset.exe do?
It resets the Microsoft Store cache and normally opens the Store afterward. It does not switch Windows out of S mode directly.
Can I switch back to S mode?
No. Microsoft describes leaving S mode as permanent. Reinstalling Windows in S mode would be a separate installation rather than a supported undo option.
What should I do if this is a work or school computer?
Contact the organization’s administrator. An Intune policy can keep a device in S mode and prevent the user from switching it.
The Bottom Line
Verify that the PC is Windows 11 Home in S mode, then use Settings > System > Activation > Go to the Store > Get. If the Store fails, sign in, update Windows and Microsoft Store, run wsreset.exe, repair or reset the Store, and check date, time, and region settings. If switching is blocked on a managed PC, contact the administrator.
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