windows-itpro-docs/windows/deployment/windows-10-pro-in-s-mode.md

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title	description	keywords	ms.mktglfcycl	ms.localizationpriority	ms.prod	ms.sitesec	ms.pagetype	ms.date	author
Windows 10 Pro in S mode	Overview of Windows 10 Pro in S mode, switching options, and system requirements	Windows 10 S, S-mode, system requirements, Overview, Windows 10 Pro in S mode	deploy	high	w10	library	deploy	04/30/2018	Mikeblodge

Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise in S mode

S mode is an enhanced security mode of Windows 10. Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise in S mode powers affordable, cloud-ready devices that are simple, secure, and efficient. Users can get started quickly, thanks to self-service deployment and a familiar Windows experience. Low-price S mode devices offer tailored solutions for kiosks, digital signs, and task work. If your device is running Windows 10, version 1709, or Windows 10, version 1803, you can switch from Windows 10 in S mode to Windows 10 Pro.

Benefits of Windows 10 Pro in S mode:

• Microsoft-verified security - It reduces risk of malware and exploitations because only Microsoft-verified apps can be installed including Windows Defender Antivirus.
• Performance that lasts - Provides all-day battery life to keep workers on task and not tripping over cords. Also, verified apps won’t degrade device performance over time.
• Streamlined for speed - Offers faster log-in times with Windows Hello. Plus, workers get all the exclusive Windows innovations including Cortana and Windows Ink.

	Home	S mode	Pro/Pro Education	Enterprise/Education
Start Menu/Hello/Cortana/ Windows Ink/Microsoft Edge	X	X	X	X
Store apps (including Windows desktop bridge apps)	X	X	X	X
Windows Update	X	X	X	X
Device Encryption	X	X	X	X
BitLocker		X	X	X
Windows Update for Business		X	X	X
Microsoft Store for Education		X	X	X
Mobile Device Management and Azure AD join		X	X	X
Group Policy management and Active Directory Domain Services			X	X
Desktop (Windows 32) Apps	X		X	X
Change App Defaults Search/Browser/Photos/etc.	X		X	X
Credential Guard				X
Device Guard				X

Keep Line of Business apps functioning with Desktop Bridge

Worried about your LOB apps not working in S mode? Using Desktop Bridge will enable you to convert your Line of Business apps to a packaged app with UWP manifest. After testing and validating you can distribute the app through the Windows Store or existing channels.

Explore Desktop Bridge

Note

The only way to revert to Windows 10 in S mode is to perform a BMR factory reset. This will allow you to reimage a device.

Windows 10 in S mode is safe, secure, and fast.

We recommend staying in S mode. However, in some limited scenarios, you might need to switch to Windows 10 Pro. You can switch devices running Windows 10, version 1709 or later. Use the following information to switch to Windows 10 Pro through the Microsoft Store or by using AutoPilot.

How to switch

If you’re running Windows 10, version 1709 or version 1803, you can switch to Windows 10 Pro through the Microsoft Store for Business. Devices running version 1803 will only be able to switch through the Store one device at a time.

1. Sign into the Microsoft Store using your Microsoft account.
2. Search for "Switch to Windows 10 Pro."
3. In the offer, click Buy or Get. You'll be prompted to save your files before the switch starts. Follow the prompts to switch to Windows 10 Pro. Your device will restart during this process.

You can use AutoPilot to switch devices running Windows 10, version 1709. The only requirement is that the devices be enrolled in Intune.

1. In the Intune admin portal, select the quantity of devices you want to switch.
2. Click the Assign Device link.
3. In the Assign Switch field, select the device name you would like to switch
4. Click the continue button.

You will now see the devices you switched listed under Switched Devices.

Important

While it’s free to switch to Windows 10 Pro, it’s not reversible. The only way to rollback this kind of switch is through a BMR factory reset.

Related topics

Compare Windows 10 editions
Windows 10 Pro Education
Introdiction to Microsoft Intune in the Azure portal