Share this article
Latest news
With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low
Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app
Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities
Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount
Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier
Traces of “Switch to S Mode” option appear in Windows 10 Insider build 17686
2 min. read
Published onJune 7, 2018
published onJune 7, 2018
Share this article
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
Contrary to what Microsoft previously said, it seems that it may soon be possible to switch “S mode” for Windows 10 on and off in the near future. Indeed, after installing the latest Insider build 17686, you’ll see that a new “Switch to S mode” option pops up when you search for S mode in the Settings app (viaThurrott.com).
Clicking on this option just redirects you to the Activation page, but you won’t have any “Switch to S mode” for now. It’s not clear yet if the option to enable S mode could actually be a thing, but it does make sense to bring this mode to more Windows 10 users.
Earlier this year, Microsoft said thatWindows 10 in S mode would replace the pre-existing Windows 10 S SKU, and that it would be up to PC manufacturers to configure it on new PCs. Windows 10 in S mode is actually a renamed Windows 10 S, a more secure and battery efficient configuration of Windows 10 that can only run Microsoft Store apps.
Disabling S Mode is free for consumers regardless of Windows 10 edition , but as of today you can’t go back to S mode afterswitching out of it in the Microsoft Store. This may be a missed opportunity for Microsoft, as despite its shortcomings (you can’t use any other browser than Microsoft Edge or install new drivers, as an example), S Mode definitely has its merits.
As Microsoft explained, the purpose of S mode is to provide consumers, schools and enterprise users a streamlined version of Windows 10 that won’t get bogged down by desktop apps and other bloatware in the long run. This is really something that some consumers may want to turn on older machines, or PCs that are just being used for some light web browsing and other basic things. However, it would be interesting to know what would happen to your desktop apps once you turn on S Mode, as losing some important data would not be a great experience.
Anyway, when there’s smoke there’s fire, as the adage says, and the fact that this “Switch to S mode” option appears in the Settings app suggests that this is something that Microsoft may be considering. Do you think it makes sense to make S Mode something that all Windows 10 users can turn on and off at will? Let us know below.
Radu Tyrsina
Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).
For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.
Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.
User forum
0 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Radu Tyrsina
