Switch to S Mode?

Switch to S Mode?

Windows Insider Preview build 17686 includes a hint that Microsoft may soon allow users to “switch to S mode.” If true, the software giant may finally reverse on of the worst design decisions in Windows history.

You can see this hint by opening the Settings app and typing S mode. As you can see in the shot above, Settings provides a search hint for a Settings interface called Switch to S Mode.

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Switch to S Mode doesn’t actually exist, at least not in this build. If you select this hint, you will navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Activation. This is where you can update your product key to change between Windows 10 product editions and perform other related tasks. But there’s no Switch to S Mode.

As I’ve complained in the past, S mode is a disaster, but the biggest problem, by far, is that it’s a one-way, dead-end street. Microsoft provides a way for those in S Mode hell to “Switch Out of S Mode”—via the Store, as I first documented in the Windows 10 Field Guide months ago. But this is new. Switch to S mode would conceivably let users go in both directions.

What happens to installed desktop applications when you make this switch is unclear. But it would be kind of interesting if you could at least switch out of S mode to install drivers and then switch back. It would be much more interesting if you could install desktop applications, switch back to S mode, and have them still work.

You never know. Maybe they’re finally listening.

Thanks to David Nation for the tip.

 

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Conversation 24 comments

  • Tony Barrett

    07 June, 2018 - 10:38 am

    <p>This is just MS drip feeding changes to get users used to the concept. It won't be too long though before 'S Mode' is the default for all Win10 installations – exactly where MS wants Windows users to be!</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      07 June, 2018 - 11:34 am

      <blockquote><a href="#282338"><em>In reply to ghostrider:</em></a></blockquote><p>Yep. I think so as well.</p>

    • Silversee

      07 June, 2018 - 11:54 am

      <blockquote><a href="#282338"><em>In reply to ghostrider:</em></a></blockquote><p>Which will be a great benefit for most of them. The people who consider S mode a "hell", like Paul, can easily switch out. Nothing to fear here.</p>

    • jimchamplin

      Premium Member
      07 June, 2018 - 12:12 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#282338"><em>In reply to ghostrider:</em></a></blockquote><p>Well, if I can install Windows, turn off S mode, install all my software, then turn it back on and they keep working, then bring it on.</p>

    • Winner

      07 June, 2018 - 2:33 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#282338"><em>In reply to ghostrider:</em></a></blockquote><p>Gotta love that "free OS upgrade" to Win 10.</p>

      • jimchamplin

        Premium Member
        09 June, 2018 - 11:26 am

        <blockquote><a href="#282438"><em>In reply to Winner:</em></a></blockquote><p>I have so far. Thanks for noticing.</p>

    • NT6.1

      09 June, 2018 - 12:22 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#282338"><em>In reply to ghostrider:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>They will kill Windows when S Mode is the default with no useful apps in their Store.</p>

  • Shmuelie

    Premium Member
    07 June, 2018 - 11:04 am

    <p>I'd be interested in having S Mode per user. Kind of like Admin vs Standard Account.</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      07 June, 2018 - 11:34 am

      <blockquote><a href="#282348"><em>In reply to Shmuelie:</em></a></blockquote><p>Agreed.</p>

    • RonH

      Premium Member
      07 June, 2018 - 11:42 am

      <blockquote><a href="#282348"><em>In reply to Shmuelie:</em></a></blockquote><p>That would be perfect for my wife and my 5 year old grandson</p>

    • jimchamplin

      Premium Member
      07 June, 2018 - 12:11 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#282348"><em>In reply to Shmuelie:</em></a></blockquote><p>Can I get a “Hell yes?”</p>

  • glenn8878

    07 June, 2018 - 11:57 am

    <p>Why? Switch to iOS. Windows will show you why.</p>

    • jimchamplin

      Premium Member
      08 June, 2018 - 8:41 am

      <blockquote><a href="#282360"><em>In reply to glenn8878:</em></a></blockquote><p>Tell me how it will show one why. This one I <em>must</em> know.</p>

      • glenn8878

        20 June, 2018 - 8:48 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#282564"><em>In reply to jimchamplin:</em></a></blockquote><p>Sarcasm based on quote above “Switch to S Mode doesn’t actually exist,”</p><p><br></p><p>S mode’s inspiration and aspiration is obviously iOS. S mode will be a failure regardless so anyone should buy an iOS device like iPhone or iPad. </p>

  • hrlngrv

    Premium Member
    07 June, 2018 - 3:42 pm

    <p>Editing: <em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">finally reverse </em><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><em>on</em></strong><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> of the worst design decisions</em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. Shouldn't </span><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><em>on</em></strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> be </span><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">one</strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">?</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Y'all are not good advertising for Grammarly.</span></p>

  • dnation70

    Premium Member
    07 June, 2018 - 10:24 pm

    <p>ur welcome</p>

  • LaurenDesouza

    08 June, 2018 - 5:00 am

    <p>That’s great news for windows users. I can’t wait to experience this “switch to S mode” that setting will provide search hint for a Settings interface.</p><p>Lauren,</p><p>A career consultant and CV &amp; <a href="https://www.cvfolks.co.uk/cover-letter/&quot; target="_blank">cover letter writing services</a> provider at CV Folks.</p>

  • NT6.1

    09 June, 2018 - 12:20 pm

    <p>Just let it go. S Mode isn't happening.</p>

  • roastedwookie

    10 June, 2018 - 10:48 am

    <p>useless junk</p>

  • thea2_

    Premium Member
    23 August, 2018 - 7:50 pm

    <p>This would be useful as a non admins user on the surface go; as s mode gets better battery life.</p>

  • Riopato

    23 September, 2018 - 1:46 pm

    <p>This would be a better idea as long as you can install certain apps not in the store and then "Lock it down" in S mode. The only concern is that will these apps be allowed to run and accept updates after switching back to S mode? If not, this would be a useless feature.</p>

  • haajirana

    27 October, 2018 - 11:30 pm

    <p>switch S mode has made my life really easy I here to just thanks to creators </p><p>regards Raja Ali:</p><p>Ceo at: <a href="https://www.brazilinspires.com/&quot; target="_blank">Aniversario Mensagens</a></p><p><br></p>

  • cheeser

    23 November, 2019 - 5:57 pm

    <p>After I got my Inspiron cheapo from almost a Dell give away- the next day the price dropped $30. I wonder why? Could it be people started getting hit with the same being orphaned feeling when MS decided to dump the Lumia, and Nokia?</p><p>NO APPS- NO developers? The SAME thing has happened to S mode. NO APPS- a drought of developers making quality apps. For example-NOT one good screen shot/snipping tool available. To top it off, Dell has regressed to not backing up what they offer online- When you purchase a product you expect it- not to find out days later Dell cancelled my purchase and not once came through with an extended warranty offer- What has happened to Dell? All my hard earned Windows 10 software is sitting there USELESS- thanks Microsoft! Dell has made an antagonist out of this 15 year ambassador. All I want is a Totally Windows 10 Dell and they can sell this new Inspiron S mode (S stands for …..) </p>

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