New laptop - Windows 11 Home in S mode

A family member got a new HP laptop, and after setting it up for the first time, it came up as Windows 11 Home in S mode. We got out of S mode and reverted it to Windows 11 Home. They didn't want the restrictions placed by S mode.

My question is: Is this like a new thing that we can expect to see with new pc purchases? Is it just with HP computers?

I know we had a post a short while back where someone mentioned something similar. I haven't bought a new pc in years and that's why I'm asking.

mackie said:

My question is: Is this like a new thing that we can expect to see with new pc purchases? Is it just with HP computers?

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No, all the big names do it. S Mode is often found on the lower end machines from the major manufacturers, the ones aimed at those who might otherwise be looking at getting a ChromeBook. As you say, its easy to switch out of it (a one-way process, you can't switch back).

mackie said:

Is this like a new thing that we can expect to see with new pc purchases? Is it just with HP computers?

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It is common for all OEMs to release Home version in S mode, especially in laptops. The sad part is many use their systems and don't even know they have S mode in the first place because most people buy off the shelf without always knowing what they are buying. The negative thing is that some users are hobbled by using S mode because they don't know what it is, how it works, or how to get out of it.
I advise everyone I know who even has full blown Home version to upgrade to Pro if at all possible. MS is taking more and more control of systems out of the box, but at least Pro gives more user control than Home.

@Bree, Yes, this is a lower end machine.

@glasskuter, Yes, they didn't know why they couldn't install some app. I don't think it was available in the Store. I had them do a System Info and text it to me, and that's where I saw it was S mode.

I was surprised to see it.

glasskuter said:

It is common for all OEMs to release Home version in S mode, especially in laptops. The sad part is many use their systems and don't even know they have S mode in the first place because most people buy off the shelf without always knowing what they are buying. The negative thing is that some users are hobbled by using S mode because they don't know what it is, how it works, or how to get out of it.
I advise everyone I know who even has full blown Home version to upgrade to Pro if at all possible. MS is taking more and more control of systems out of the box, but at least Pro gives more user control than Home.

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If people use S mode without feeling any restrictions then let them go on using it - at least they won't wreck their machines.

I wouldn't mind a small ARM type of thing with something like Windows IOT built in to a chip with just a keyboard and video outlet -- most of the Windows work stuff I do these days is just EXCEL / Other Office stuff.

Work has a VDI cloud infrastructure so any sort of device can connect to it. For data backup etc the cloud works for me.

I do have some older "classical laptops" to test and play with Windows and not being a Gamer I don't need any of the stuff I see on these Forums of people building their own machines with extreme GPU's etc.

For day to day use I'm probably 99% of the time on a Linux Host -- and only using Windows in VM's.

Sometimes though to try things out like running VM's on HYPER-V, functionality of new Windows builds or trying out a web server on a Windows host I need to boot into a real Windows machine -- running 2nd level / nested VM's isn't very satisfactory unless you are just doing a P.O.C test. I.E a feasability or Proof of Concept run.

Note also : If you run / host any sort of web server one needs to test that all sorts of client machines running all sorts of browsers and OS'es can access it.

I had experience recently trying to pay a utility bill-- I had logged on via firefox - but the company had hosed up their website so when I tried to pay the bill as the banks have now mandatory wretched 2 level authorisation thing so you had to find and get out a mobile phone to receive the authorisation code and accept. Now the utility web site had no place to say Continue --it just kept waiting for the card payment authorisation from the Bank -- so endless loop -- had to phone up and pay manually --now that's Back to the future. I tested with Edge as well and the site did actually work for another payment !!! so all browsers are not equal in the eyes of some big companies.

Cheers
jimbo

These are some links on S mode:

glasskuter said:

It is common for all OEMs to release Home version in S mode, especially in laptops. The sad part is many use their systems and don't even know they have S mode in the first place because most people buy off the shelf without always knowing what they are buying. The negative thing is that some users are hobbled by using S mode because they don't know what it is, how it works, or how to get out of it.
I advise everyone I know who even has full blown Home version to upgrade to Pro if at all possible. MS is taking more and more control of systems out of the box, but at least Pro gives more user control than Home.

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They'll find out when the try to install any programs that aren't store apps. IMHO, S mode is good for people who will just install programs and not make sure the program is safe and to allow under powered computers to be somewhat usefull.

If you like a browser other than MS Edge (like Chrome or Firefox) you won't be able to install it under W Home in S mode.

You'll have to get out of it by switching off S mode via the Win Store, which is a very quick thing to do (only takes a minute). (See zbook's link above).

But not everybody will get the word and some will even be told to download the W 11 ISO and jump through that hoop....... like on a post I saw when I was browsing around earlier today by someone on how to get out of S mode on their laptop on another help forum. They couldn't install Chrome.

mackie said:

If you like a browser other than MS Edge (like Chrome or Firefox) you won't be able to install it under W Home in S mode.

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Actually, that's not true for Firefox, it's available from the Store.

@Bree This is what I saw that made me believe it wasn't in S mode. That last post was on 11-19-2023.