Windows 10 S Mode can just go away

[MudRock]

I am getting so sick of Windows 10 S mode. Seriously. I know there is another thread on here about it, but it was a bit older and unless directly pertinent, I don't like to resurrect.

What I Need Help With:
Client bought new laptop with Wn10S on it. Okay, she is business person. She makes a Microsoft account to exit S mode (And at my advice, choses the 'Microsoft Apps Only' Option.

We install Chrome, her business software, desktop (not xapp) version of Office. All was fine. Then I get a panicced call. Can't open Word. I try to remote in. Blocked. It has put itself back into S Mode. She can't do her books. Can't do work.

Brings it in. Okay, so I go to check. Sure enough. S Mode. She left me her account info (Which I remember the email address she made @outlook.com so I know it is right.)

I hit 'Get' to get it, and asks me to log in. Odd. Left here with her new account in the store. Try to log her in and.... Account doesn't exist. Check it again. I know what it was. She wrote it down. I even had my note. Okay, so what if I try to make a new account with that name? Well, it lets me. Sign in. Click 'Get', and it goes "Waiting For It"

And sits there. Not locked up. Just, doesn't do anything.

I followed every step in this post in case: https://www.technibble.com/forums/threads/windows-10-s-mode-hell.84968/

I also followed Microsoft's advice (Including the laughable powershell thing. Glad Microsoft even understands their own S Mode.)
Other things tried:

1. New user
2. New user + new MS account
3. Removed ALL MS accounts across everything in case
4. Did trick to 'reactivate' (Use store app to get MS key from BIOS and reactivate with licence)
5. Troubleshooters + all repairs available
6. Upgrade to 20H2 (Was on prior version)
7. In-place upgrade
8. Just about all the options I've seen which are non-destructive.

Now. I know everyone will say Nuke & Pave. I wish that was an issue. HOWEVER. The client has a piece of software which has an activate/deactivate mechanism. If she can't deactivate, she will have to buy again. She already called company. No exception. And this is multi-thousand dollar per seat software. Their software has to do the deactivation. (Hilarious, because I've already figured out a workaround IF I had access to the OS better.)

Any solutions? I've tried everything from first 2 pages of google and a ton of other stuff. MS is in this position of "Nuke and Pave" too and don't give two squats otherwise.

The LAST solution I've seen is activating with a regular Windows license, but I don't want to blow cash on something that isn't going to work. Apparently even the Pro upgrade rarely ever works. I have some Win10 licenses in stock, but again, the idea of blowing that much cash (and all my profits) to exit... For a MS issue...

Windows S Mode is garbage
Microsoft's 'lure' of a cheaper Windows license for OEMs is a joke. If Microsoft can straight up delete an account and then essentially brick a laptop... Already talked to my Lenovo rep and they're seeing if they can come up with an option. They have had a lot of blow-back from S Mode too, but it sounds like the deal is too good. My original suspicion is that OEMs wouldn't have to pay for a Win10 license until someone exited S Mode, but this and other experiences REALLY have led me to believe it is Microsoft now.

Situations with S Mode I've experienced:

1. S Mode straight up won't exit until nuke and pave out of the box
2. S Mode switching back on -- USUALLY before it leaves my hands
3. S Mode switching back on after a major roll-up

 

[britechguy]

It's probably too late in this specific instance, but unless something has changed radically since I last had to deal with this, any machine shipped with S Mode enabled could be upgraded/converted/whatever you want to call it to Windows 10 Pro at no cost. This is always what I have done, straight out of the box. It may still be possible, and I believe it's been discussed here, but if not, the information about doing this "is out there."

I actually do not know of a single living soul who actually uses S Mode. I can't imagine why one would want to. It was another mistake by Microsoft, and it can't die its well-deserved death soon enough.

 

[nlinecomputers]

The client has a piece of software which has an activate/deactivate mechanism. If she can't deactivate, she will have to buy

I'm sorry. I don't buy that. What happens if you have a hard drive crash. She either has a pirated out of support copy or she is bad at explaining the situation. Tell her you need to talk directly to her tech support.

 

[MudRock]

It's probably too late in this specific instance, but unless something has changed radically since I last had to deal with this, any machine shipped with S Mode enabled could be upgraded/converted/whatever you want to call it to Windows 10 Pro at no cost. This is always what I have done, straight out of the box. It may still be possible, and I believe it's been discussed here, but if not, the information about doing this "is out there."

I actually do not know of a single living soul who actually uses S Mode. I can't imagine why one would want to. It was another mistake by Microsoft, and it can't die its well-deserved death soon enough.

Another mistake by MS that they decide to keep on ramming down. And unfortunately, new S Mode no longer offers the free upgrade to 10 Pro, only ones which were labelled as "Windows 10 S" now qualify and only if the hardware supports it. I checked into this too (And I've done it before.)

 

[MudRock]

I'm sorry. I don't buy that. What happens if you have a hard drive crash. She either has a pirated out of support copy or she is bad at explaining the situation. Tell her you need to talk directly to her tech support.

I will do that. Good idea.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Another mistake by MS that they decide to keep on ramming down. And unfortunately, new S Mode no longer offers the free upgrade to 10 Pro, only ones which were labelled as "Windows 10 S" now qualify and only if the hardware supports it. I checked into this too (And I've done it before.)

I haven't seen that. But screw it. Buy a copy of Win 10 Pro and nuke it, see above about the LOB app. Or tell the client to return the laptop and get a real Windows machine.

 

[nlinecomputers]

M$ says you still can free upgrade. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...ndows-10-4f56d9be-99ec-6983-119f-031bfb28a307

 

[MudRock]

M$ says you still can free upgrade. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...ndows-10-4f56d9be-99ec-6983-119f-031bfb28a307

Windows 10 S Mode -> Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 Pro in S Mode -> Windows 10 Pro.

Its on another one of their support sites. However, it sounds like OEMs could choose to allow for upgrades from 10 S Mode to Home OR Pro (But not from Home to Pro after. Which that could be an issue already for me since it was at Home.)

You know, its funny. ALL over Microsoft's sites it says "No way to go back to S Mode, even after reinstall." Except, it can put itself back into S Mode after a few days...

 

[nlinecomputers]

You know, its funny. ALL over Microsoft's sites it says "No way to go back to S Mode, even after reinstall." Except, it can put itself back into S Mode after a few days...

Except that I have never seen that, and the instructions you gave in your first post:

She makes a Microsoft account to exit S mode (And at my advice, choses the 'Microsoft Apps Only' Option.

WAS NOT (at least as I read it) an upgrade to HOME. There is no Microsoft app-only option in Home. That is an S function.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Honestly, it looks to me as if all she did was register her S-mode copy to her M$ account and then borked it. IT NEVER WAS UPGRADED TO HOME And frankly doesn't even have the correct M$ information. I.E. a "power user" who shouldn't be trusted to tie her own shoes....

 

[Philippe]

I've done Windows 10 S -> Windows 10 home 2 weeks ago. I went to the MS Store to "upgrade" for free, reboot & everything was fine.
Did you test her account credential on another computer / Does she "own" the upgrade when you log in MS Store?

 

[nlinecomputers]

Its on another one of their support sites.

Link. I can't find any reference to that on a Google search. If M$ discontinued it that would make trade news.

 

[britechguy]

You know, its funny. ALL over Microsoft's sites it says "No way to go back to S Mode, even after reinstall." Except, it can put itself back into S Mode after a few days...

And you almost certainly know that this is the only report of that having happened that most of us have ever seen. That's not doubting the truth of it, but it is saying that it's an exceedingly rare occurrence.

As I wrote on another topic a few days ago, all software can occasionally "burp" for no apparent reason, and with no apparent cause or fix. It happens, it's annoying (to infuriating), but unless it's common a very isolated idiosyncratic occurrence just needs to be dispatched by whatever means achieve the desired ends the most quickly and cost effectively.

I have never seen anyone (including the software makers themselves) find or fix these sorts of, "What the hell?!!!," type errors. If you can't reliably replicate it, it's virtually impossible to fix.

 

[nlinecomputers]

And you almost certainly know that this is the only report of that having happened that most of us have ever seen. That's not doubting the truth of it, but it is saying that it's an exceedingly rare occurrence.

As I wrote on another topic a few days ago, all software can occasionally "burp" for no apparent reason, and with no apparent cause or fix. It happens, it's annoying (to infuriating), but unless it's common a very isolated idiosyncratic occurrence just needs to be dispatched by whatever means achieve the desired ends the most quickly and cost effectively.

I have never seen anyone (including the software makers themselves) find or fix these sorts of, "What the hell?!!!," type errors. If you can't reliably replicate it, it's virtually impossible to fix.

I don't think it ever was upgraded. There is no M$ app only option in Windows Home....

 

[Sky-Knight]

Why should S mode go away?

Tablets are outselling laptops... S mode turns Windows into a tablet OS, and you use the apps off the Microsoft store... just like the stupidly overpriced iPads.

The BENEFIT of this model is you can get out of it.

But I do find it funny, that a power user that doesn't know enough to support themselves, borked themselves even with clear instructions over a feature that's literally designed to take power away from users so they don't bork themselves.

This isn't Microsoft's fault, it's yet again a case of making something more idiot-proof, simply creates a bigger idiot.

Oh, and one more thing... MICROSOFT isn't pushing S mode. That would be the craptop OEMs. Who always have, and always will sill what "sells" and not what is "good". There's a reason why each of us exists in the marketplace, and our users should be running purchases through us to get the right stuff the first time. If they can't handle that, then we get to make money cleaning up their messes.

This situation is GOOD for each and every one of us. Just fix it, and move on. Frustrating the first time sure, but nothing but gravy after that.

 

[Porthos]

and our users should be running purchases through us to get the right stuff the first time. If they can't handle that, then we get to make money cleaning up their messes.

Exactly. But end-users only see price and the ones with Smode are less expensive.

 

[britechguy]

Why should S mode go away?

Tablets are outselling laptops... S mode turns Windows into a tablet OS

And if that were all it did, then it might be worth something.

Windows 10 has a tablet mode as part and parcel of the OS. I have yet to know a single user who wants ALL of the restrictions put on by S Mode, or even most of them. It essentially borks Windows on its own by making it a mere shadow of itself and wresting control over what most users want and need control over away from them.

It was a solution in search of a problem, which is no solution at all. It's also another example of Microsoft trying to break into markets that are already saturated and, for all practical intents and purposes, locked. It's Windows Mobile all over again.

 

[nlinecomputers]

And if that were all it did, then it might be worth something.

Windows 10 has a tablet mode as part and parcel of the OS. I have yet to know a single user who wants ALL of the restrictions put on by S Mode, or even most of them. It essentially borks Windows on its own by making it a mere shadow of itself and wresting control over what most users want and need control over away from them.

It was a solution in search of a problem, which is no solution at all. It's also another example of Microsoft trying to break into markets that are already saturated and, for all practical intents and purposes, locked. It's Windows Mobile all over again.

It's useful for school districts or large businesses that want to hand out devices that are locked down, like Chromebooks.

 

[britechguy]

It's useful for school districts or large businesses that want to hand out devices that are locked down, like Chromebooks.

And how often is the use of a standard account, sans admin privileges, not "locked down" way more than enough?

Again, I don't see S Mode having been even kinda sorta adopted in education settings anywhere. You've already noted what has that market, Chromebooks.

And I know of very, very few businesses that don't require a number of desktop apps, which makes S Mode quite suboptimal. You can lock down more easily, and with more functionality that's needed remaining intact, using standard accounts.

 

[nlinecomputers]

And how often is the use of a standard account, sans admin privileges, not "locked down" way more than enough?

Again, I don't see S Mode having been even kinda sorta adopted in education settings anywhere. You've already noted what has that market, Chromebooks.

And I know of very, very few businesses that don't require a number of desktop apps, which makes S Mode quite suboptimal. You can lock down more easily, and with more functionality that's needed remaining intact, using standard accounts.

I agree but that is what the product is aimed at. It shouldn't even be in retail but the OEMs need volume to build, which is one reason the upgrade option exists so that buyers can convert it easily enough.