I cannot get my new laptop out of Demo Mode. The information in here now is from the laptop that was on display.

The device is still configured as a retail demo system. There are two common parts to fix:

1. Turn off Windows Retail Demo Experience (RDX) on the PC
2. Turn off Office “Retail Demo” behavior (if Office apps show “Demo” in the title bar)

Follow these steps carefully.

1. Remove/exit Retail Demo mode (Windows RDX)

Retail demo devices are configured so shoppers cannot change key system areas (no admin tools, no password changes, etc.), and the system periodically resets sample data.

Because the device was sold as a display model, it should have been taken out of demo mode by the retailer. If it was not, the normal path is:

• Complete the out-of-box experience (OOBE) as a normal customer.
• After OOBE is completed, Windows schedules removal of all Retail Demo Experience (RDX) components automatically:
  • On devices with more than 32 GB storage: RDX components are removed automatically 7 days after OOBE completes.
  • On devices with 32 GB or less: RDX components are removed automatically 30 minutes after OOBE completes.

If the device is still in demo mode immediately after purchase, the fastest resolution is usually to:

• Ask the retailer to:
  • Reimage or reset the device to a normal consumer image, or
  • Complete OOBE with you and ensure the device is not configured as a retail demo unit.

If you have already completed OOBE and the device is still clearly in demo mode, a full Windows reset (back to a clean consumer state) performed by the retailer or using the manufacturer’s recovery image is typically required, because demo mode restricts access to admin tools and system configuration.

2. If Office apps show “Demo” in the title bar

If Word, Excel, etc. show “Demo” in the title bar and run in reduced functionality mode, this is because Office is still flagged as Retail Demo. After the PC is in a normal Windows state (not RDX), do the following to clear the Office demo flag:

1. Close all Office apps.
2. Open the Run dialog (Windows key + R), type regedit, and press Enter.
3. Approve the prompt to open Registry Editor.
4. In Registry Editor, navigate on the left to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Licensing
5. In the right pane, locate the value named RetailDemo.
6. Right-click RetailDemo and select Modify.
7. Change Value data to 0 and select OK.
8. Close Registry Editor, restart the PC, and then start Office again.

Important: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause serious problems. Back up the registry first (see the backup guidance in the referenced article) and follow the steps exactly.

If, after a full reset to a normal Windows image and clearing the RetailDemo registry value, the device or Office still behaves like a demo system, contact the retailer or device manufacturer for a proper non-demo image.

References:

• Customize the Retail Demo Experience (RDX)
• Application title bar shows "Demo" next to the application name