Windows 11 S mode

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From shopping it looks like new PCs come with Win 11 “s mode”. If that is turned off can Windows Defender still be used? Lot of reviews saying “s mode” making cheaper models too slow to use.

And why can it not be turned back on? One way only seems pretty stupid! Thanks.

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S Mode support only Microsoft Store apps. You can’t install software not found in Microsoft Store.

You can “upgrade” from S mode to standard Windows OS.

Windows 11 in S mode is designed for security and performance, exclusively running apps from the Microsoft Store. If you want to install an app that isn’t available in the Microsoft Store, you’ll need to switch out of S mode.
Switching out of S mode is one-way. If you make the switch, you won’t be able to go back to Windows 10 or Windows 11 in S mode. There’s no charge to switch out of S mode….

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J9438

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Alex5723 wrote:

You can’t install software not found in Microsoft Store.

Let me rephrase. I do NOT want S mode because apparently it slows the PC to a crawl.

However, once out of S mode I want to use the standard Windows Defender Antivirus that come with Windows, but from the Microsoft description it sounds like Windows Defender is tied to S mode and only available there.

Is anyone currently using Win 11 out of S mode and with Windows Defender active?

Thanks again.

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Windows Defender is a part of all versions of Win11.

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J9438

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I do NOT want S mode because apparently it slows the PC to a crawl.

I have hands on experience switching out of “S” mode and it works well, but note the performance of the machine I switched out of “S” was not slow prior to switching.  You’re lack of speedy performance is likely due to something else.

Desktop mobo Asus TUF X299 Mark 1, CPU: Intel Core i7-7820X Skylake-X 8-Core 3.6 GHz, RAM: 32GB, GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti 4GB. Display: Four 27" 1080p screens 2 over 2 quad.

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J9438

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I also switched out of S mode on my cheap laptop and saw no speed difference.

cheers, Paul

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Paul T wrote:

out of S mode on my cheap laptop and saw no speed difference.

Great. I guess it was the machine. I was reading the reviews  on an HP all in one PC that was an inexpensive machine people were buying just for looking at potentially risky internet sites while shopping so as to not risk one’s expensive PC being used for banking, etc.

Many, many reviews reported the machine was so slow as to be unusable, but a more tech savvy lady reported same problem but added when she removed “S” mode the machine took off and had normal speed.

But if a person thought “S” mode was the problem and turned out to not be then why won’t MS let you turn “S” back on? Very strange.

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MS (won’t) let you turn “S” back on? Very strange

Don’t why you’d want to turn it back.  With “S” off, Windows is fully functional.  With “S” mode on your are restricted using only UWP apps from the Windows Store.

Desktop mobo Asus TUF X299 Mark 1, CPU: Intel Core i7-7820X Skylake-X 8-Core 3.6 GHz, RAM: 32GB, GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti 4GB. Display: Four 27" 1080p screens 2 over 2 quad.

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J9438

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TechTango wrote:

Don’t why you’d want to turn it back

I would turn it off just to see if it sped up.

If off made no speed difference I would want to put it back because it apparently has extra security features beyond just the Microsoft store – at least that is the MS implication.

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apparently has extra security features beyond just the Microsoft store – at least that is the MS implication.

The “S” mode features are:

* “Improved performance and speed, as it limits the software and apps that can run in the background.” (software control for employees is how I see it)

* “Increased security, as it restricts the installation of unauthorized software and apps.”  (only windows store apps – again think employees, not private users i.e. no installations of software from an “exe” file = Lockdown)

* Better battery life, as it optimizes the system for power efficiency.  (Really targets novice users and company control IMO.)

As a personal user, you can do all of that without “S” mode control and install big apps from an exe file.  Example:  Macrium Reflect or any other imaging software.  Audacity.  Non Microsoft full feature word processors, etc.  You get the picture.

Desktop mobo Asus TUF X299 Mark 1, CPU: Intel Core i7-7820X Skylake-X 8-Core 3.6 GHz, RAM: 32GB, GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti 4GB. Display: Four 27" 1080p screens 2 over 2 quad.

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J9438

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You can’t turn it back on without reinstalling it.

I’ve not seen a difference in speed.

IMHO it’s a failed experiment that provides a Chromebook like experience and a cheaper cost to the OS which is why you find it in retail stores.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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TechTango wrote:

software control for employees is how I see it)

I guess employers will lose that ability with Win 11 as MS says the following,

Windows 11 in S mode is only available in the Windows 11 Home edition.  If you have the Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions of Windows 10 in S mode, Windows Update will not offer Windows 11 because S mode is not available in those editions of Windows 11.

How much more confusing can MS make things!

Thanks for the list of security features as I have not yet seen such a list on searching for “s” mode.

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Can you download and use google as the search instead of microsoft bing under windows 11 s – mode

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Keep in mind that google.com is stand alone a search engine web site, not a browser.  While the Microsoft web browser “Edge”  defaults to Bing.com, it’s search engine default can be changed and I don’t think running in “S” mode would prevent it.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-default-search-engine-new-microsoft-edge

BTW, if you’d like to switch out of “S” mode altogether so you are not limited to only running Windows Store apps…

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/switch-out-of-s-mode-in-windows-11.9788/

 

 

Desktop mobo Asus TUF X299 Mark 1, CPU: Intel Core i7-7820X Skylake-X 8-Core 3.6 GHz, RAM: 32GB, GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti 4GB. Display: Four 27" 1080p screens 2 over 2 quad.

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Linda wrote:

Can you download and use google as the search instead of microsoft bing under windows 11 s – mode

When I started this thread I had just had a bad experience with accidently accessing a dangerous web site so I was looking for a PC with what I understood to have a “sandbox” feature so I could safely isolate such a mistake.

I thought Windows S mode (sandbox?) was the solution. However, with only Win 10 PC it did not seem easily usable with the thing about not “going back” and “too slow”.

However, I found a solution. I found an inexpensive Chromebook that from what I read is fully sandboxed and if you hit a bad site you just close the browser and all disappears. It even has a guest mode that saves nothing so even more security.

I would never use another PC other than the Chromebook except for lack of functionality that makes it simple to use and quick to update. So I still need Windows and a powerful PC for all the complex apps and stuff. I also like to use Word offline and the Chrome word processor is only usable on line.

So I hope this helps you, Linda, in your question on “s” mode.

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J9438 wrote:

I thought Windows S mode (sandbox?) was the solution.

The S actually stands for MS Store because that version of Windows only allows apps to be installed from the MS Store (i.e. it’s not possible to install apps from other sources.)

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J9438

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Well Microsoft certainly had me fooled. S mode is not a sandbox at all, just a more secure approach like Apple’s restricting apps installed. Nothing wrong with that of course.

However, I wanted something more. When I manually type a web address and my typing skills inevitably make a mistake and some ugly monster pops up on my screen gobbling up whatever it can, I want to be in an enclosed chamber (sandbox) that I can close and send the monster packing.

So my understanding is that Chromebook does exactly that and Windows S mode does not.

Perhaps if more companies used sandboxes on their employee PC’s, then we might stop some of this endless invasion of our systems. I am so tired of endless news that “Company ABC was hacked and millions of customer accounts were stolen”.

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