This is good example of why MS decided to release a Windows S mode. I also see that MS explains not only why the program won't run but provides a link to explain how the user can get the program to run if they still want to use it.
I don't personally think the explanation is good enough and is still too confusing for the average user. There is nothing that says windows S mode on the prompt box. A further explanation on what S mode is, on the prompt itself would be good. Vs a tiny link. Also, if the program they're trying to install isn't in the store and they follow the link on the second dialogue box I attached, It opens to just nothing there and then the user gets confused.
That's fair. But I think it causes more problems than it's worth. For example, most people see a Chromebook and immediately know they can't run windows programs on it because chrome OS just sounds like the chrome browser (which is pretty much what it is).The target audience for S versions is primarily school children to run basic apps including MS Office (at a cost of course).
However, it is a good fit for more scam vulnerable (especially old folk) whose basic needs are primarily light surfing and emails.
I had a relation who was so click happy and always got infected with malware.
His actual needs were modest so I created an S mode version, and since then no problems.
So if you only have minimal needs but want added security without any real understanding, S versions have their place.
Re. getting a 64GB emmc S device from Walmart, did OP not read the specs?
I actually have a travel laptop with only 32GB emmce drive but it is adequate to run MS 365, surf and email. So 64GB emmc would be a luxury.
Even on my main laptop, with lots of apps, I only use around 40 GB. With MS 365, I get 1 TB of onedrive storage space.
So why do I have a basic travel laptop - simply cost and if laptop does get stolen, no major financial lost.
So as for S modes, the cheap emmc devices have their place.
So people who say they are useless have not considered all aspects/usage of such devices.
But someone buying a windows computer wouldn't expect it to not run the software they think it will. Yes, you can disable S mode but I think there needs to be more clarity from Microsoft on what S mode is. The advertising and things needs to reflect that. The average consumer will see windows 11 S mode possibly under the os section but probably won't know what that means and think it's still regular windows. Which is what probably happened here.
I'm not saying the idea of S mode is bad, I'm just saying it needs to be way more clear to the user.
I also think that Chromebooks are way better than any Windows machine in S mode. Especially due to cost and malware prevention. Granted I'm not talking about the ones that apparently cost $1,000 for some reason. Microsoft selling low budget machines that are set up for S mode is fine, but they need a mandate that they're more than "just enough" storage for Windows updates and stuff. Your device shouldn't break because it runs out of space without barely anything on it.
I don't know, but I'd guess that was because the attempt was to download Firefox from the Net, rather than the MS Store.
That's a charlie foxtrot, all the same.
In my experience with s mode, when you launched an installer for a program that's featured on the Microsoft store, it's supposed to offer you to get it from the store. But a lot of times it doesn't work. When it does work it's pretty cool
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My Computers
System One System Two
-
- OS
- Windows 11 Pro
- Computer type
- Laptop
- Manufacturer/Model
- Dell G15 5525
- CPU
- Ryzen 7 6800H
- Memory
- 32 GB DDR5 4800mhz
- Graphics Card(s)
- RTX 3050 4GB Vram
- Screen Resolution
- 1920 x 1080
- Hard Drives
- 2TB Solidigm™ P41 Plus nvme
- Internet Speed
- 800mbps down, 20 up
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- Operating System
- Windows 11
- Computer type
- Tablet
- Manufacturer/Model
- Lenovo ideapad flex 14API 2 in 1
- CPU
- Ryzen 5 3500u
- Motherboard
- LENOVO LNVNB161216 (FP5)
- Memory
- 12GB DDR4
- Graphics card(s)
- AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics
- Hard Drives
- 256 GB Samsung ssd nvme