Windows wont move out of S mode

David Reilly 20 Reputation points
2026-01-29T07:47:26.53+00:00

My new laptop wont go out of S mode, when i click 'get' in the Microsoft store it fails and i get a message 'try again'.

To note;

Windows is activated 'Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account'

I see in the store however there is a note 'Get Windows 10/11 - S mode with a genuine license for this PC'.

Are these two notes related? how do i force windows into S mode?

thanks

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Licensing and activation
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Answer accepted by question author
Estrella721 46,025 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-01-29T08:24:04.36+00:00

Hi,

In the search bar, type Winver and hit Enter.

Please share a screenshot of that window.

Did you purchase your license from the Microsoft Store? It could be a related issue, but I’ve noticed that several users also reported problems getting out of S mode today. Please try the following steps:

  1. If you're using a VPN or Third-party antivirus program, try temporarily uninstalling it to see if the problem goes away.
  2. After that, try resetting the MS store cache.

Press Windows + R then type 'wsreset.exe -i' (without the quotes)

Hit Ok, wait 10 seconds then try to check again.

  1. If the issue persists, try re-registering the Microsoft Store app:

Right-click the Start Menu and Choose Windows PowerShell(Admin)

Copy and paste the below command and hit Enter.

Get-AppXPackage WindowsStore -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Restart your computer then get out of S mode.

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3 additional answers

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  1. Neil D 34,305 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-02-02T11:11:26.2666667+00:00

    Another user has successfully switched out of S Mode after running the process again since yesterday. Stated they did exactly the same as previous and feel Microsoft have fixed something server side.

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  2. Neil D 34,305 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-01-29T19:10:26.94+00:00

    Make sure windows is up to date and all updates in the Store are applied. (which includes the Store itself.

    When you switch out of S Mode you cannot switch back it is a one way street.

    Switching out of S Mode - Microsoft support

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  3. AI answer

    2026-01-29T07:47:36.6433333+00:00

    If your laptop is not able to switch out of S mode, it could be due to several factors. The message you are receiving when trying to switch out of S mode indicates that there might be an issue with the activation or the licensing of Windows on your device.

    1. Digital License: You mentioned that Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account. This is a good sign, but you should ensure that the license is indeed valid for switching out of S mode.
    2. Store Message: The note in the Microsoft Store stating "Get Windows 10/11 - S mode with a genuine license for this PC" suggests that your device is recognized as being in S mode and may require a specific license to switch out. This could be related to the type of Windows edition your device is running.
    3. Switching Out of S Mode: To switch out of S mode, you typically need to go to the Microsoft Store and click on the 'Get' button. If this fails, you might want to check for Windows updates or troubleshoot your Microsoft Store app. You can also try resetting the Microsoft Store cache by running the command wsreset.exe in the Run dialog (Win + R).
    4. Forcing Windows into S Mode: If you are looking to switch back into S mode after switching out, please note that once you switch out of S mode, you cannot revert back to it. If you want to manage the S mode settings, you can do so through Intune if your organization uses it, but this typically applies to managed devices.

    If the problem persists, consider reaching out to Microsoft Support for further assistance.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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