Solved Windows S Mode Computer Bought in Error

First thing, let me clarify that this is not a comparison of apps for a new computer.

My caregiver is a novice about computers . . . I was going to help her get started with her new computer, but right off the bat, we hit a snag.

I proceeded to open edge so that I could download Firefox. Nothing I did would get me to Firefox. So, the next thing was to install from one of my external drives. Imagine my shock and surprise when I was told that this computer would not allow Firefox to be installed because it wasn't certified by Microsoft.

I immediately went to about computer and found that this was a Windows S Mode computer. In my years of looking for a suitable computer, I have never run across as many S mode computers as are now listed. When a novice is looking for a new laptop he or she does not have the knowledge it takes to eliminate an S mode computer as not suitable for what they need. This is the case for my caregiver!

From what I seem to understand now, is that an s mode computer will not allow any program or app installation If it doesn't come from the store.

Am I correct in this assumption? Also, is there a way around being required to use only apps from the store?

Thanks in advance.

Wynona said:

Am I correct in this assumption? Also, is there a way around being required to use only apps from the store?

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You are correct.

Ooops. Windows 11:

Ummm, the computer is running Windows 11. Will this work for Win 11?

Wynona said:

Ummm, the computer is running Windows 11. Will this work for Win 11?

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Since it is an Elevenforum tutorial, I would think it would.

Apparently, you go to settings - system activation - select "go to the store" - in the "switch to Windows 11 Pro" section. "If you don't see that option, expand the S mode menu and select Open Store.

Alternatively, open the Switch out of S mode Store link on Microsoft's website"

Thank you, @OAT and @NavyLCDR

This is wonderful news!

I will get this printed for her, but I will be doing the switch.

Oops sorry - I linked a different web page - didn't realise there was a tutorial on it.

Hazel123 said:

Apparently, you go to settings - system activation - select "go to the store" - in the "switch to Windows 11 Pro" section. "If you don't see that option, expand the S mode menu and select Open Store.

Alternatively, open the Switch out of S mode Store link on Microsoft's website"

Windows 11 S Mode: What It Is and How to Use It

With your Windows 11 PC in S mode, you can only use and download approved apps. To use apps outside of the Microsoft Store, you must deactivate S mode.

www.lifewire.com

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Thanks @Hazel123.

I called her and told her about the fix and she is as excited as I am. It's always great when a plan comes together with the help of gurus like we have here. Every one of you are totally appreciated.

I can't wait to get out of this cast on my left foot! It will be so nice to be mobile again.

I would also check the specification of the laptop as it might have a poor eMMC drive with not much space. Hopefully not.

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drive.

Fabler2 said:

I would also check the specification of the laptop as it might have a poor eMMC drive with not much space. Hopefully not.

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drive.

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Thanks. Will do

Edit: Ohh my gosh! This thing has a total of 57.2 gigabytes for Drive C:/ And no other storage that I can find!

It's Definitely going back to Walmart.

Wynona said:

Thanks. Will do

Edit: Ohh my gosh! This thing has a total of 57.2 gigabytes for Drive C:/ And no other storage that I can find!

It's Definitely going back to Walmart.

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I was going to post about what happened to my wife's niece. She had the same experience with a Walmart laptop. Sadly she got stuck with it because she not only had it for a few months but the the receipt and the box got thrown away. Instead of calling me when she first bought she waited before calling me to install the programs she used on her old laptop. When I found out what she had bought I told her it was best for her to just keep it in S mode. I don't know what she did with it. I do know she is still using her old laptop that we gave her.

Wynona said:

Thanks. Will do

Edit: Ohh my gosh! This thing has a total of 57.2 gigabytes for Drive C:/ And no other storage that I can find!

It's Definitely going back to Walmart.

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Excellent. Return it as it's not fit for purpose.
Tried to keep one of these Frankenstein laptops running for my granddaughter and keeping installed apps to a minimum and also disk cleaning often and removing windows.old, disabling hibernation and leaving sys restore to a minimum, an SD card for 'extra storage', it still filled up to an extent that it no longer could update.
I did offer her parents that I could install Mint on it as an alternative but I believe it was recycled and a proper laptop bought.

Wynona said:

Thanks. Will do

Edit: Ohh my gosh! This thing has a total of 57.2 gigabytes for Drive C:/ And no other storage that I can find!

It's Definitely going back to Walmart.

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Perhaps that is what the budget would allow. I assume with a super low spec, also came a super low price.

pparks1 said:

Perhaps that is what the budget would allow. I assume with a super low spec, also came a super low price.

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I look at them as a very expensive paper weight because that's about all they're good for. Heck, even my Samsung S22+ phone is better then those laptops.

pparks1 said:

Perhaps that is what the budget would allow. I assume with a super low spec, also came a super low price.

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Something better will likely cost more, sadly.

SIW2 said:

Something better will likely cost more, sadly.

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Correct and maybe they don't have the money for it. I found it funny when they said...yep its going back to walmart....but that's more or less up to the person who owns it, not the person helping out.

Is it an HP Stream? If so, the storage isn't even upgradeable. We did have a Windows 7 rugged netbook once (schools type laptops) that had a 64gb but at least you could open it up and fit a sata drive in instead.

I will just say this, any computer running windows S mode is junk. Pure garbage and should be returned.

The whole reason s mode exists is for windows to run on low powered hardware, and the reason store apps are locked to it is for performance reasons. S mode literally means, do not buy me. If the price is too good to be true, it is. It would not be such an issue if the windows store had some decent apps in it, but it usually does not. The other issue is storage like others mentioned. Windows updates kill it and leave nothing left.

Sorry you found out the hard way. To get anything remotely decent in the pc space for a brand new Windows laptop, you need to pay a minimum of about $400.

You can search google for best budget laptops, and from what I have found the Acer Aspire 5 is the best cheapest laptop you can get.


Also depending on what they use a computer for, a chromebook might be an excellent choice. If all they do is browse the web and write documents etc. (simple stuff) a chromebook is fantastic. For example this chromebook (which has updates through Jun 2031) is super cheap, and even though the price is super low, it is fantastic for me personally:

Cheap chromebook

Not all cheap chromebooks are bad, but pretty much all windows ones are.