Windows 10 in S Mode is essentially a lightweight version of Windows 10 Home or Pro, providing an operating system for laptops that may not have enough power to comfortably run powerful third party apps and a robust OS simultaneously. If you're curious about what Windows 10 in S Mode actually does, we've got you covered.
For those that have weighed the options and decided that living the Windows 10 in S Mode life isn't for you, switching to Windows 10 Pro is easy - and free.
Here is how to turn off Windows 10 in S Mode via the official Microsoft Support site:
1. On your PC running Windows 10 in S mode, open Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
2. In the Switch to Windows 10 Home or Switch to Windows 10 Pro section, select Go to the Store. (If you also see an "Upgrade your edition of Windows" section, be careful not to click the "Go to the Store" link that appears there.)
3. On the Switch out of S mode (or similar) page that appears in the Microsoft Store, select the Get button. After you see a confirmation message on the page, you'll be able to install apps from outside of the Microsoft Store.
After turning off S Mode in Windows 10, you'll be able to install apps from third-parties. From editing applications to Zoom clients, you'll be able to do much more with your machine. Experienced users will have no problem with this newfound freedom, even if the UI and operating system are a bit slower. In the words of Uncle Ben, "With great power comes great responsibility." Always ensuring that you install apps from trusted third party sources and keep Windows Defender up to date are important steps that help protect you (and your data) online.