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Windows 11 S mode allows app installation only from the Microsoft Store. You can switch out of S mode for free to install compatible apps from websites and other sources, but the change is permanent. Microsoft does not provide a supported way to turn S mode back on afterward.
On a current Windows 11 installation, use the Microsoft Store—not the separate Windows edition upgrade screen—to complete the change.
How to switch out of S mode in Windows 11
- Open Settings. You can also press Windows key + I.
- Select System in the left pane.
- Select Activation.
- Find the section headed Switch to Windows 11 Pro.
- Select Go to the Store.
- When Microsoft Store opens the Switch out of S mode page, select Get.
- Wait for the confirmation message. Windows should then allow compatible apps from outside Microsoft Store.
The heading can be confusing: selecting Go to the Store in the Switch to Windows 11 Pro section does not automatically purchase or install Windows 11 Pro. It opens the Store page for the free S-mode switch.
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For the S-mode change, use this exact route:
Settings > System > Activation > Switch to Windows 11 Pro > Go to the Store > Get
What changes after you leave S mode?
| Before switching | After switching |
|---|---|
| Apps are restricted to Microsoft Store installations. | Compatible apps can be installed from outside Microsoft Store. |
| The PC is running Windows 11 Home in S mode. | The PC runs the standard version of Windows 11 Home. |
| The S-mode restriction is active. | The restriction is permanently removed. |
Switching out of S mode is free. It does not upgrade Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro. A Pro upgrade is a separate transaction and process.
Use Microsoft’s direct Store link
Microsoft also provides a Switch out of S Mode link that opens the relevant Microsoft Store page. On that page, select Get.
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If the link does not open the correct page, use the built-in Settings route instead. Avoid downloading utilities or following registry and PowerShell instructions claiming to disable S mode. Microsoft’s supported consumer procedure is completed through Microsoft Store.
If “Go to the Store” is missing
A missing S-mode section usually means one of the following:
- The computer is already running the standard version of Windows 11 and is not in S mode.
- The device is using an edition that does not support Windows 11 S mode.
- The computer is managed by a school, employer, or another organization that has blocked the switch.
Windows 11 S mode is available only with Windows 11 Home. Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education do not have an S-mode edition.
On an organization-managed PC, contact the administrator. Windows management policy can control whether users may switch. Microsoft’s Windows Licensing CSP uses the policy path ./Vendor/MSFT/WindowsLicensing/SMode/SwitchingPolicy; a value of 1 blocks switching and 0 allows it. The management action ./Vendor/MSFT/WindowsLicensing/SMode/SwitchFromSMode can also be invoked by an administrator.
These are MDM/SyncML management paths, not commands to paste into Command Prompt or PowerShell.
If Microsoft Store will not open
Reset the Microsoft Store cache using Microsoft’s built-in reset tool:
- Press Windows key + R.
- Type wsreset.exe.
- Select OK.
A blank Command Prompt window may appear. It normally closes automatically after about 10 seconds, and Microsoft Store should open. If it does not, install available Windows updates and check that Windows has the correct time and location settings.
You can also restart the computer and try the Activation path again:
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What if the Store shows a paid upgrade?
Do not proceed with a paid option if your goal is only to leave S mode. Return to Settings > System > Activation and select Go to the Store under Switch to Windows 11 Pro. The correct Store page is labeled Switch out of S mode, or has similar wording, and its action button is Get.
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A paid Windows 11 Pro upgrade is separate. Leaving S mode does not mean that Windows has been upgraded to Pro.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Snapdragon and ARM-based PCs
Windows 11 S-mode computers may use Intel, AMD, or Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. Leaving S mode allows you to install conventional Windows applications, but it does not guarantee that every application or accessory will work correctly on a Snapdragon PC.
Before installing software or connecting hardware, check whether the application supports Windows on ARM and whether the accessory has Windows 11-compatible drivers. Microsoft recommends checking the hardware manufacturer for Snapdragon-compatible drivers.
Windows 10 S mode uses a different path
Do not use the Windows 10 instructions on a Windows 11 computer. On Windows 10, the route is:
Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Switch to Windows 10 Home or Switch to Windows 10 Pro > Go to the Store > Get
Windows 10 S mode could be associated with Home, Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions. Windows 11 S mode is limited to Home. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025.
FAQ
Can I turn Windows 11 S mode back on after switching out?
No. Switching out of S mode is a one-way change. Microsoft does not provide a supported Settings or Microsoft Store option for turning S mode back on.
Does leaving S mode cost money?
No. The S-mode switch is free. A separate upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro may cost money, but it is not required to leave S mode.
Will leaving S mode upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro?
No. The computer remains on its existing Windows edition unless you separately complete an edition upgrade.
Why can’t I find the “Go to the Store” option?
The PC may already be running standard Windows 11, may not be running Windows 11 Home in S mode, or may be managed by an organization that blocks switching. Check with your school or employer if the device is managed.
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Is there a registry setting or PowerShell command to disable S mode?
That is not Microsoft’s documented consumer method. Use the Settings-to-Microsoft-Store procedure. Management paths in the Windows Licensing CSP are intended for administrators, not ordinary Command Prompt or PowerShell use.
The Bottom Line
To turn off Windows 11 S mode, open Settings > System > Activation, select Go to the Store under Switch to Windows 11 Pro, then select Get on the Store’s S-mode page. The switch is free and permanent, and it does not upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro.
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