How to Get Out of S Mode on Windows 11| 2 Ways

What is S mode?

Windows 11's S Mode only allows apps from the Microsoft Store, which is good for security but limiting. To download apps from other sources, you need to exit S Mode. Then you may be wondering how to get out of s mode Windows 11. This article shows you 2 simple ways to switch off S Mode on your Windows 11 PC.

If you have a Microsoft account, you can do this in Windows Settings. If you don't have a Microsoft account, you can disable Secure Boot in the computer's settings.

★Caution:
Turning off S Mode is permanent. Once you turn it off, you can't turn it back on again.

How to get Windows 11 out of S mode

Here are 2 ways to fix how to exit Windows 11 S mode. The way you use depends on your personal situation, you can follow the below instructions.

Way 1. Using your Microsoft account

This way is practicable if you have Microsoft account and can access the activation, here is how you can do it:

Step 1. Please press the Windows key + I to open the Settings application.

Step 2. Then navigate to System > Activation.

Step 3. Click on S mode to expand it.

Step 4. Then choose Open Store under the S mode section.

Step 5. Now choose Get on the Microsoft Store Switch out of S mode.

Step 6. Finally, click on the Close button when you successfully finished get out of S mode Windows 11.

Way 2. Without a Microsoft account

If you can't locate the activation button in your settings, you can use an alternative method to answer how to take Windows 11 out of S mode.

If you bought a Windows 11 PC with S Mode on and you don't have or don't want a Microsoft account, the only way to disable S Mode is by turning off Secure Boot in the UEFI (BIOS) settings.

Step 1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings application.

Step 2. Then choose System > Recovery. Then choose Restart Now next to Advanced Startup.

Step 3. Click on Restart Now to confirm and then your computer will reboot to BIOS settings.

Step 4. In the Choose an option page, please choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options.

Step 5. Then in the window choose UEFI Firmware Settings, which will reboot your PC into the UEFI.

Step 6. Locate the Secure Boot area of the UEFI.

★Note: The location of Secure Boot settings varies by computer model. Some manufacturers, like Dell, have a specific Secure Boot method. For other brands, you'll typically find Secure Boot in the Boot or Boot Options menu.

Step 7. Choose the option to disable Secure Boot. Navigate using the arrow keys (or your mouse if available in the UEFI) to find Secure Boot. Then, select the Disable or Disabled option.

• In most UEFI interfaces, you typically confirm the selection by hitting Enter. If available, click Apply to apply the change. If the option is grayed out or not selectable, consider disabling Fast Boot first to make the necessary changes.
• If disabling Secure Boot remains a challenge, look for the section in UEFI where you can set an Administrator password. Set a temporary password, reboot into UEFI, disable Secure Boot, and then remove the password after switching off S Mode.
• If you still can't turn off Secure Boot, try resetting the BIOS to its defaults.

Step 7. Save your changes and exit the UEFI. Depending on your UEFI version, you might press F10 to save, or select Exit and then choose Save changes.

After you exit the UEFI, your PC will reboot. When it starts again, S Mode will be disabled.

Suggestion: always need to backup important files to enhance data security

As we mentioned above, you can install applications from other sources when you exit the S mode, which offers higher flexibility and freedom, but at the same time, it lies with opential risks and challenges for your PC health, especially in the face of malware or virus attacks.

Hence, when you decide to exit the S mode, you’d better make a backup for your important fils and folders, like your graduation thesis, your business secrets and etc. Why not try free and reliable backup and restore software, like AOMEI Backupper Standard? This software is a full-featured backup and restore software, that deal with clone, and sync functions as well in a good manner.

▶Auto backup: it is embedded with a schedule backup feature that allows you to backup everything automatically in daily/ weekly/ monthly/ event triggers and USB plug in mode.
▶Flexible backup mode: when you create a full backup for the first time for your data, you can only backup the changes through incremental and differential backup to save more storage locations. (differential backup is used in professional version, also if you upgrade to the paid version, you can automatically delete the old backups to only keep the latest backup task).
▶Full feature: you can backup your data and restore it when any accidents happen. What’s more, you can sync files to Google Drive or other cloud devices.

Now I will show you how to use this software. Below is the full instruction to backup files. Before you start, please download this software and install it on your PC.

Step 1. Please open AOMEI Backupper and choose Backup > File Backup.

Step 2. Then click Add File or Add Folder according to your needs. Choose the files or folders that you want to backup.

Step 3. Click the second box to select backup destination. You can backup files to external hard drive, NAS network location, or other locations as long as it can be detected by Windows.

Step 4. Click Schedule Backup to automate the file backup task.

Step 5. Confirm everything is OK and click Start Backup to backup files.

Bonus tip: 👉 There is a growing trend to backup files to cloud storage. If you have an AOMEI account, you can backup files to AOMEI Cloud. It offers you 1TB free storage for 15 days after you sign up for an AOMEI account.

Summary

This article offers you 2 different ways to fix how to get out of S mode Windows 11. If you have a Microsoft account and can access the Activation button in Settings, the first way is more adorable. If not, please try the second way.

Exiting S mode in OS is permanent. Thus, I suggest you should backup your data regularly to enhance data safety. AOMEI Backupper is recommended to you. This free software can safeguard your computer and offers you a plan B when data loss happens.