Solved Windows S Mode Computer Bought in Error

linw said:

- I only buy ex-lease comps now. Great price and pretty much always good storage. And always updateable!

- Looked up UAC and moved mine up to standard!!

- And Hi, Wyn.

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Howdy, @linw! Been awhile.

Back when we were refurbing computers for those who couldn't afford, we got a batch of computers from a business. Not much refurbing required on those!

Theres nothing wrong with S-Mode machines (Once disabled). But they can be a major headache, especially when you purchase one by mistake. I usually setup new machines with a local account by using a bad email (a@a.com and any password, throws an error, and offers to create a local account instead), so for me the initial switch out of S-Mode goes a little bit differently then the guides here explain. You don't need to use an MS account to remove it, using the following steps:

1) Disable SecureBoot in the BIOS/UEFI Firmware
2) Hold SHIFT while clicking "Restart" in the StartMenu with the mouse, do not release SHIFT until the words "Please Wait" appear
3) Select "Troubleshoot"
4) Select "Advanced Options"
5) Select "Command Prompt"
6) Enter the following command

Disable S-Mode:
Reboot...

You would, however need to make further adjustments afterwards in order to re-enable SecureBoot..

It should also be noted, that unlike official MS Documentation regarding S-Mode, it can in fact be re-enabled/enabled at will on any machine by changing the SkuPolicyRequired value from a 0 to a 1 - WHICH WOULD LOCK YOUR SKU INTO S-MODE

Enable S-Mode:
Reboot...