Windows 10 in S mode FAQ

Windows 10 in S mode is a specific mode of Windows 10 that offers a familiar, productive Windows experience that’s streamlined for security and performance. By exclusively using apps from the Microsoft Store and browsing safely with Microsoft Edge, Windows 10 in S mode keeps you running fast and more secure day in and day out.

For more info, see the Windows 10 in S mode page.

Windows 10 in S mode is designed for security and performance, exclusively running apps from the Microsoft Store. If you want to install an app that isn't available in the Microsoft Store, you'll need to switch out of S mode.

Switching out of S mode is one-way. If you make the switch, you won't be able to go back to Windows 10 in S mode. There's no charge to switch out of S mode.

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.

Open Microsoft Store

Notes:

• For additional important info, see What limitations should I be aware of when using a PC running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor?
• For info helpful to commercial customers, see Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise in S mode.
• For info helpful to education customers, see Switch to Windows 10 Pro Education from Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Pro in S mode for Education.

With the release of Windows 10, the April 2018 Update, “Windows 10 S” became a mode of Windows 10 (called “S mode”) that is available in more editions of Windows (not just Windows 10 Pro).

You can buy new PCs with either Windows 10 Home in S mode or Windows 10 Pro in S mode preinstalled.

If you have an existing Windows 10 S device and you install the April 2018 Update or later, the device will become a Windows 10 Pro in S mode device.

When buying a new Windows 10 device, you should select one that comes from the PC manufacturer with S mode enabled. You can ask your OEM, your retailer, or check the technical specifications or device packaging to see if a particular device comes in S mode.

Windows 10 in S mode can come installed on a PC that has an Intel, AMD, or Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Here’s how to find out what kind of processor your Windows 10 PC is running:

1. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > System  > About .
2. On the About screen, next to Processor, it’ll say Snapdragon, Intel, or AMD.

For more detailed info, see the Windows 10 in S mode on Intel or AMD processor and Windows 10 in S mode on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor sections in this FAQ.

You can download and install apps from the Microsoft Store within Windows. To find Microsoft Store apps, you must be in Windows 10. To discover which apps are available for your device, select Microsoft Store  on the taskbar. If you don't see the Microsoft Store  icon on the taskbar, select the Start  button, type Microsoft Store, then select it in the list of results to open the Store.

Apps bought from the Microsoft Store are linked to your Microsoft account. In most cases, if you install an app from the Microsoft Store on another Windows 10 PC, you should be able to install it on your PC with Windows 10 in S mode if you sign in with the same Microsoft account.

Unless you switch out of S mode, only apps from the Microsoft Store can be used on your device. See below for important limitations regarding apps and the switch out of S mode on Windows 10 Snapdragon devices.

It depends on whether you’re using Azure AD Domain join or On-premise Domain join and which edition of Windows 10 your device is running.

Azure AD Domain join is available in Windows 10 Pro in S mode and Windows 10 Enterprise in S mode. It is not available in Windows 10 Home in S mode.

On-premise Domain join is not available in S mode (regardless of Windows edition). To enable On-premise Domain join, the device must be switched out of S mode and running a Windows edition that includes the Domain join feature (such as Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Enterprise). So, if your device is currently running Windows 10 Home in S mode, you’d need to switch out of S mode and upgrade to Windows 10 Pro to use On-premise Domain join.

No. Microsoft Edge is the default web browser when using Windows 10 in S mode, and Bing is the default search engine in Microsoft Edge when customers are in Windows 10 in S mode. But you can access other browsers and search engines while in the S mode: you can download any browser available in the Microsoft Store within Windows and can navigate to any other search engine website. If you want to download a browser (or any other application) not in the Microsoft Store, you can switch out of S mode. Once you switch, you can then set your default browser and search engine to the one you choose.

Yes, we recommend all Windows devices use antivirus software. Currently, the only antivirus software known to be compatible with Windows 10 in S mode is the version that comes with it: Windows Defender Security Center. Windows Defender Security Center delivers a robust suite of security features that keep you safe for the supported lifetime of your Windows 10 device. For more info, see Windows 10 security.

Also note that by exclusively using apps from the Microsoft Store and browsing safely with Microsoft Edge, Windows 10 in S mode keeps you running fast and more secure day in and day out.

You can also check with your antivirus software provider of choice to see if they offer a product that runs on Windows 10 devices in S mode.

PCs with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor have key benefits to help you keep working wherever you are:

• Always connected to the Internet. These PCs fall into the category of Always Connected PCs because they let you get a cellular data connection, so you can be online wherever you can get a cellular signal—just like with your mobile phone. When you’re at work, home, or by another Wi-Fi network you trust, you can connect to Wi-Fi to save cellular data and keep working.
• Beyond all-day battery life. A PC running on a Snapdragon processor uses less power than other PCs, so you can go through a typical work or school day without running out of battery and worrying about finding an outlet to plug into. If you want to use the PC for something more fun, you can enjoy up to 20 or more hours of local video playback between battery charges.
• Turns on instantly. When you’re not using your PC, just press the power button like you do on your mobile phone to turn off the screen. When you take out your PC and turn it back on, it turns on instantly. Whenever you have a few minutes in between classes, meetings, and other things in your life, you can use that time to get things done without waiting for your PC to start up.

There are some limitations when it comes to a Windows 10 PC running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor—regardless of whether it’s running in Windows 10 in S mode or has been switched out of S mode:

• Drivers for hardware, games and apps must be designed for a Windows 10 PC running on a Snapdragon processor or else they won’t work. Check with the developer or manufacturer for more info. A driver is a piece of software that communicates with hardware devices, such as printers or keyboards. Some apps that commonly use drivers are antivirus and antimalware software, printing or PDF software, assistive technologies, CD and DVD utilities, and virtualization software.
  If the driver doesn’t work, then the app or hardware that relies on that driver won’t work either (or certain functionality might not work properly). Peripherals and devices that depend on drivers that aren’t built into Windows won’t work even if you switch the device out of S mode. The driver developer needs to publish their driver to work on a Windows 10 PC running on a Snapdragon processor. (The driver developer is often the hardware manufacturer or software developer.)
• 64-bit (x64) apps won’t work. Windows 10 in S mode on Snapdragon supports 32-bit (x86) apps, 32-bit (ARM32) apps, and 64-bit (ARM64) apps. Although most app developers offer 32-bit (x86) versions of their apps, some only offer 64-bit (x64) apps. Note: 32-bit (x86) apps might run more slowly than they would on a PC device that has an Intel or AMD processor. This is because 32-bit (x86) apps run in an “emulation” mode on a Windows 10 PC running on a Snapdragon processor.
• Certain games won’t work. Games and apps that use a version of OpenGL greater than 1.1 won’t work. The same is true for games that rely on "anti-cheat" drivers. Check with your game publisher to see if the game you want to play will work.
• Some apps that customize the Windows experience might have problems. Examples include some input method editors (IMEs), assistive technologies, and cloud storage apps. The app developer needs to update their app to work on a Windows 10 PC running on a Snapdragon processor.
• Third-party antivirus software can’t be installed. Third-party antivirus software can’t be installed on any edition of Windows 10 running on a Snapdragon processor.
• Client Hyper-V isn’t supported. This feature isn’t supported on any edition of Windows 10 running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.
• Windows Fax and Scan isn’t available. This feature isn’t available in any edition of Windows 10 running on a Snapdragon processor.

Windows 10 in S mode provides several built-in accessibility features that you can use to help you do more on your device. Also, the Microsoft Store within Windows contains several assistive technology apps, such as KNFB Reader and the Read&Write extension for Microsoft Edge.

While we’re working to increase the availability of assistive technology apps in the Microsoft Store for Windows 10 in S mode, your preferred assistive technology might not be available for download on a PC running in S mode.

People who use assistive technology can switch out of S mode for free to use non-Microsoft Store apps by following the steps in the Using Windows 10 in S mode with assistive technology: FAQ. On a Windows 10 PC running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, your preferred assistive technology apps might not work as expected, or it might not open even if you’ve switched out of S mode. Please check with your preferred assistive technology vendor to find out if their application is compatible with Windows 10 running on a Snapdragon processor.

For customers who use screen readers, NVDA has updated their app to be compatible with Windows 10 on a Snapdragon processor. For more info, visit the NV Access website.

You can install 32-bit (x86) Windows apps that aren’t available through Microsoft Store within Windows if you switch out of S mode. Note that if you make this switch, 64-bit (x64) apps still won't run. Also, peripherals and devices that depend on drivers that aren’t built into Windows 10 won’t work even if you switch the device out of S mode. This is likely because the hardware developer hasn’t published a version of the driver that will run on a Windows 10 device that has a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Note that switching out of S mode is one-way. If you make the switch, you won't be able to go back to S mode on that device.

For more info, see How do I switch out of S mode?

Every Windows 10 PC (whether or not S mode enabled) running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor can connect to a cellular data network. This lets you get online wherever you have a cellular signal. Depending on your PC manufacturer, your PC might use a physical SIM card or an embedded SIM (eSIM).

To find out whether your PC uses a SIM card or eSIM, do the following:

1. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Network & Internet  > Cellular.
2. On the Cellular screen, look for a link near the bottom of the page that says Manage eSIM profiles. If that link appears, your PC has an eSIM. If it doesn’t, it uses a physical SIM card.

After determining whether your device uses a SIM or eSIM, do one of the following:

• If it uses a SIM card, you’ll need to have a SIM card from your mobile operator and data plan. To learn how to get connected after that, see Cellular settings in Windows 10.
• If your PC uses an eSIM, you’ll need to have an eSIM profile from your mobile operator or organization and a data plan. For more info about using an eSIM, see Use an eSIM to get a cellular data connection on your Windows 10 PC.

To see if your device will work, check the hardware manufacturer's website or your mobile operator's website. 

You can also buy prepaid cellular data plans through the Microsoft Store. For more information about how to buy a plan, see Get online with paid cellular data.

No, you won't be able to update to Windows 10 in S mode because it’s a different type of system. Windows RT is based on the ARM32 architecture, but Windows 10 PCs running on a Snapdragon processor are based on the ARM64 architecture.

Windows 10 in S mode works exclusively with compatible apps from the Microsoft Store. The vast majority of apps available in the Microsoft Store work on devices in S mode the same way they work when they’re switched out of the mode. Note that some developer tools won't be supported on Windows 10 in S mode, and a small number of apps with known compatibility issues will have notice of the issue included in the app’s product detail page in the Microsoft Store.

Many hardware accessories and peripherals (such as printers) that work with Windows 10 today will work with Windows 10 in S mode, but might have limited functionality. See Windows 10 in S mode Accessory Compatibility for more info on Microsoft hardware accessories as well as links to third parties who can share compatibility information for using their accessories with Windows 10 in S mode. If you don't find information on a specific model, check with your accessory manufacturer.

Yes, education customers can test Windows 10 in S mode on an existing Windows 10 device. This offer is for technical users, so please see the important pre-installation information at docs.microsoft.com/education.

If you try to use an app that is not available in the Microsoft Store, you will see a reminder that apps used with Windows 10 in S mode must come from the Microsoft Store within Windows. You may also see a suggestion for a category of similar apps or a specific app that's already available in the Microsoft Store. Note that some developer tools won't be supported on Windows 10 in S mode, and a small number of apps with known compatibility issues will have a notice of the issue included in the app’s product detail page in the Microsoft Store. Ultimately, if you want to download an application that is not in the Microsoft Store or has compatibility issues, you can choose to switch out of S mode.

The number of compatible apps and devices will continue to grow over time. For the most up-to-date information, you can always check back at this website, in the Microsoft Store within Windows, or with the hardware or software manufacturer. If you absolutely need to use an app or device that's not compatible, it's easy to switch out of S mode. For more info, see How do I switch out of S mode?

Windows provides a number of built-in accessibility features to help you do more. There are great apps available today through the Microsoft Store within Windows, such as KNFB Reader and the Read&Write extension for Microsoft Edge.

Some customers use assistive technology apps that aren't available through the Microsoft Store nor downloadable on a Windows 10 in S mode device. Customers who use these accessible technologies will need to switch their device out of S mode.

For info helpful to education customers, see Switch to Windows 10 Pro Education from Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Pro in S mode for Education.

Windows 10 Enterprise in S mode is a subscription that adds the following capabilities to a Windows 10 Pro in S mode device:

• Management of Microsoft Store access
• Management of consumer experiences
• Management of Cortana
• Health analytics
• Telemetry controls
• App Guard
• Credential Guard

You get Windows 10 Enterprise in S mode the same way you would get Windows 10 Enterprise. Once you have the right volume license agreement, you can install it on your existing qualifying devices already enabled in S mode or work with your OEM or other partner to get it installed when you buy a new device.

Yes. If your device is running Windows 10 Enterprise in S mode and you choose to switch out of S mode, your device will be running Windows 10 Enterprise. To learn more, see How do I switch out of S mode?

Windows 10 Education in S mode is designed to give schools the familiar, robust, and productive features they count on from Windows in an experience that’s been streamlined for security and performance in the classroom and built to work with Microsoft Education. It has many of the same familiar Windows 10 Education features that you know today, but we changed some parts so that we can offer a more secure and performant experience.

You get Windows 10 Education in S mode the same way you would get Windows 10 Education. Once you have the right volume license agreement, you can install it on your existing qualifying devices already enabled in S mode or work with your OEM or other partner to get it installed when you buy a new device.

Yes. If your device is running Windows 10 Education in S mode and you choose to switch out of S mode, your device will be running Windows 10 Education. To learn more, see How do I switch out of S mode?