What is S-Mode and How Do I Get Rid of It?

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What is S-Mode and How Do I Get Rid of It?

Рет қаралды 7,112

Күн бұрын

⚜️ S-mode is an additional set of restrictions in Windows that is intended to protect you. Most people want to get rid of it.
⚜️ S-mode?
S-mode restricts Windows to only installing apps from the Microsoft Store and forces Edge to be used as the default browser. I believe it’s too limiting for most users, but it can protect those prone to risky behavior. Once you turn S-mode off, you cannot turn it back on. Avoid buying devices with S-mode unless necessary.
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Chapters
0:00 Get rid of S-mode
0:35 What is S-mode?
2:25 Turning off S-mode
3:35 Turning on S-mode
4:00 Is S-mode useful?
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#askleo #s-mode #smode

Пікірлер: 63

@er... Ай бұрын

I purchased an S-mode on clearance without realizing what it was. If you're okay with not using your browser of choice and do not need to download lots of stuff, it is okay. But when I had an issue, Microsoft needed me to turn off s-mode just to fix my issue. Support literally can't fix anything on an s-mode!!

@JolynBowler Ай бұрын

Thanx. I volunteer at our local computer club (33 years now) and have had the occasion where a member has purchased an S-Mode windows System. Your explanation is terrific. It works well and folks go home happy. 🌻

@NoEgg4u Ай бұрын

@3:41 "And that's why I have no way of showing it to you." Leo, a few years ago, I purchased (in person) a Windows 10 Home license from Micro Center. It came in a physical box, with a bootable USB flash drive containing the OS. Upon booting from that flash drive, I was offered several versions of Windows to install. However, the activation key (behind a sticker in the box) is only valid for the Home version. But I have used that USB flash drive to install the Pro version on a different computer, which remains not activated. So that USB flash drive will let me install any of the Windows 10 versions I choose from the listing. I do not recall if S-Mode was one of the choices. But I think it was there. With the above in mind, if you download from Microsoft their Windows 10 ISO, I believe (although I am not sure) that upon starting the installation process, it will let you choose any of the Windows 10 versions, just as my USB flash drive did. If that is true, then you could create an S-Mode virtual machine from Microsoft's ISO download. That would provide you a way to show us (@3:41).

@askleonotenboom Ай бұрын

Sadly "S" isn't one of the options.

@achecase Ай бұрын

Sounds like S Mode would have applications for institutions; ie prisons, loony bins, maybe some schools, libraries, senior centers, and the like.

@noexcuses6727 Ай бұрын

And Congress (loony bins)

@kiwikeith7633 Ай бұрын

"Loony bins!" - do you mean Government?

@jim7smith Ай бұрын

Senior centers? I am 76 and have been running nothing but Linux for the last 15 years...My first pc was an 8088 with 64K of ram and no hard drive in the 80's DOS 1.0 and Basic 1.0

@kiwikeith7633 Ай бұрын

I dealt with ALL my microsoft issues. I swapped out the SSD - saved it just in case I meet some unique need in the future. The new SSD is loaded with Linux Mint "Virginia", and now I am very pleased, and regret being so slow to change.

@JoshuaTrenge Ай бұрын

I find it amazing how few popular software are available in the MS store… I find it as close to useless as can be.

@legoyodascream Ай бұрын

Glad you came back to youtube!

@stage6fan475 Ай бұрын

A senior citizen that never came to terms with computers, but has to use credit cards over internet (medical stuck at home) and bank--it is ideal.

@davidmartin8211 Ай бұрын

I hate to say it but I know a lot of people in their twenties and thirties who do not how have you been a basic understanding of how a computer operates. These people are best left with a phone, A chromebook, or Windows S.

@MiguelAlvarezAdams Ай бұрын

True😂 @@davidmartin8211

@KeithTreason 10 күн бұрын

Grandma got a new laptop and Best Buy told them that S-mode was a switch in the settings that could flip on and off as needed. Sounds like a decent idea in theory. Then I get around to setting up her computer and, oh would you look at that, it's non-reversable. And oh would you look at that, the antivirus they sold them isn't in the app store so they can't install it. Just wow.

@LauraKnotek Ай бұрын

I use Windows 11 Pro but have no use for the Microsoft Store. App stores are for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. Desktop operating systems use software programs, not apps. Any software that I need is directly from the vendor that makes the software.

@crumplezone1 Ай бұрын

Its a pain and you need to have a Microsoft account to turn it off and who wants one of those !

@harveybc Ай бұрын

Heck, I have one that I set up a couple decades ago. Was working IT and needed it. Used it once since for something or other. Don't remember what after all these years. Doesn't really hurt anything, kind of like having your great grandfather's hammer. Never or very rarely use it but doesn't hurt to have. Of course the hammer is more useful.

@richardbeckenbaugh1805 Ай бұрын

S-mode came with some updates to windows 11 from 10. My hp laptop was upgraded automatically to windows 11 without me asking for it. It also came with S-mode. Turned that off right away.

@JimE6243 Ай бұрын

That was valuable. When I go to buy a new laptop, how do I know if it has S Mode or not? Thanks. JimE

@TiredEmpath Ай бұрын

Great question. I’m in the market for a new laptop and can’t decide on brand, now I have this to worry about. Lol

@StopWhining491 Ай бұрын

What BS. Microsoft needs to have its wings trimmed a bit. It's becoming WAY too involved in my everyday computer use. Now considering Linux.

@mark-sk3do 14 күн бұрын

My previous PC automatically turned itself into S mode when I updated it, and that's how I learnt about it and how to turn it off

@Jan12700 Ай бұрын

This S-Mode. With only the title I thought you meant Single-Mode for Fiber. Maybe add a Windows before the S-Mode

@StephenPhillips Ай бұрын

I have Windows S mode on a Surface Go 3. I have created recovery media with Windows 11 S by putting in the device type and my serial number. If I wanted to go back to S mode, could I use this recovery media to factory reset it to Windows S?

@askleonotenboom Ай бұрын

In theory, yes.

@Jackie-kk9tq Ай бұрын

Thank you Leo, I bought 2 inexpensive laptops and did not realize they came in S mode. On one of them I did remove the S mode. I really don't like Edge, so needed to install another browser. Question, isn't is possible to get it back to S mode if we create a recovery USB drive on that laptop before removing S mode? And then doing a system restore? Don't plan on doing that, just curious.

@askleonotenboom Ай бұрын

I don't think a system restore is enough. Perhaps a complete image backup taken prior to turning off S mode.

@iggyzorro2406 Ай бұрын

how do I know if my MS.Surface 7 is in S-mode?

@davinp Ай бұрын

I think Microsoft created S mode to compete with Chromebooks and have a secure version for school students. Many schools issue laptops to students for use during the school year. Unfortunately wen you buy a new PC or laptop at the store, many do come with S mode

@kevinwong_2016 Ай бұрын

Fr💀

@regisegek4675 Ай бұрын

Any difference between X/N300? Firmware? x300 is marketinged as gaming while N300 for NAS but they are pretty identical

@gjoseph1628 Ай бұрын

This S-Mode thing according to how you describe and discuss is tricky. WE NEED OTHER GUIDANCE both from you and from others about dealing with and stopping S-Mode. This video here should *not* be the last one to discuss this.

@knutblaise9437 Ай бұрын

As S-Mode only allows for the installation of MS Store software, I wonder if this would block malware from non-MS Store sources?

@johnpedersen8387 Ай бұрын

You can't use regedit in S mode either. Maybe not msconfig command too. Rich from cyberCPU Tech has made videoes about the topic of S mode. S mode can be turned on and off trough regedit. I prefer to use Windows in normal mode so the pc can be worked with properly.

@dennisclapp7527 Ай бұрын

Thanks Leo

@davidmartin8211 Ай бұрын

Does anyone know if you can install Steam on an s mode computer? If yes, will window allow you to install games via steam?

@xpotatox187 27 күн бұрын

I think it depends on the computer. Not 100% sure, but window will not allow it to be installed unless s mode is turned off.

@davidmartin8211 27 күн бұрын

@@xpotatox187 after posting this I did check and I do not think you can install steam on Windows s mode.

@acreguy3156 Ай бұрын

S mode...just another way MS is trying to increase their revenue stream (MS Store) and invade our privacy. *Note to MS* We're all getting tired of your BS!!!! Sell us your OS and LEAVE US ALONE!!! Another great video, Leo 👍.

@shadowminister4090 Ай бұрын

To me, S-Mode seems similar to Chromebooks and for people with simple needs; why not? My wife is NOT tech savy, and it would probably suit her perfectly. I don’t like Microsoft's method of turning S-mode off. I could see people accidentally signing up for Pro in error. It should be more straightforward and not able to go back, just kills the whole thing.

@PilotJohnSilver Ай бұрын

In 2021 I bought a Lenovo gaming laptop with powerful CPU&GPU for almost 2000$ and believe it or not, but it had the S mode turned on! 😅 At that time it was still Windows 10 Home edition.

@Graeme_Lastname Ай бұрын

Sillier and sillier. What about admin password?

@billyguthrie3176 Ай бұрын

What do you get when you couple a computer that comes stock with a camera, microphone, fingerprint scanner, facial recognition, voice recognition, passkey support, location tracking, a feature that takes snapshots of everything you do every 3 minutes and stores it with a company that desire's to force the user to sign into it, all their apps, browsers, and websites using theirr face , voice, passkey, and fingerprints? Cause i'm no conspiracy theorist but you have to admit it has everything in it that a an entity that would seek to surveille the population for purposes of enforcing compliance would need in order to do so. Just a Coincidence?

@glasslinger Ай бұрын

Not an issue. I have zero intention of EVER having windows 10 or 11.

@franciscohorna5542 Ай бұрын

using windows 10 home single language 64bit here

@Vicvines Ай бұрын

Until Microsoft ups the quality of the Microsoft Store then in my opinion it's not worth the tradeoff of security vs frustration. The only place I remember them being used was my university's library loaner laptops. But even then, there are better ways to lock the computer from people downloading stuff.

@stage6fan475 Ай бұрын

What is infuriating is that you can't get a Windows S mode in a virtual machine to practice on if you have to help people who have it. I had to learn on the thing. You should be able download an S mode Windows for virtualization.

@chris-ls3sd2pz5c Ай бұрын

there is a regedit hack that turns of the S mode

@askleonotenboom Ай бұрын

Not needed. The instructions are pretty simple.

@davidmartin8211 Ай бұрын

I think all Windows computer should be sold in s mode. The only way to deactivate S mode is to prove that you, the user, can install and configure either a Linux or BSD. 😁