Cannot Switch Out of Windows 11 S Mode – How to Fix

If you cannot switch out of Windows 11 S Mode, the Microsoft Store usually fails to open, shows a blank page, or the Get button does nothing. This commonly occurs after a Windows update, a Microsoft account sign-in issue, or a Microsoft Store service failure.

You may also notice system instability, such as Store apps crashing or settings not saving properly. If you are stuck and cannot switch out of Windows 11 S Mode, follow the below fixes.

Fix 1 – Confirm your Microsoft account is signed in

Before checking anything else, you need to confirm that your system is fully signed in with a Microsoft account. If you are using a local account, Windows will block the S Mode switch automatically.

Steps

1. Press Win + I → Accounts
2. Select Your info
3. Confirm you see your email address (not Local account)
4. If prompted, select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead
5. Restart your PC

If your Microsoft account is already signed in and the issue continues, the next step is to confirm Microsoft Store connectivity.

Fix 2 – Check your Microsoft Store connection

Switching out of Windows 11 S Mode depends entirely on the Microsoft Store. If Store pages do not load correctly, the switch cannot complete even with a valid account.

Steps

1. Open Microsoft Store
2. Select the profile icon in the top-right corner
3. Confirm the same Microsoft account is signed in
4. Open any free app page and confirm it loads
5. Close the Microsoft Store completely

If Store pages load normally but you still cannot switch out of S Mode, the Store cache may be corrupted.

Fix 3 – Reset the Microsoft Store cache

At this point, your account and Store access are confirmed. Resetting the Store cache clears temporary corruption without removing apps or data.

Steps

1. Press Win + R
2. Type wsreset.exe
3. Press Enter
4. Wait for the Microsoft Store to reopen automatically
5. Do not close the window during the reset

If the Store opens cleanly but the issue persists, background Windows services must be verified next.
If the Microsoft Store fails to open entirely, this often overlaps with common Microsoft Store not opening issues seen after Windows updates.

Fix 4 – Verify required Windows services are running

The S Mode switch relies on background services that may be disabled after updates or system cleanup.

Steps

1. Press Win + R
2. Type services.msc
3. Press Enter
4. Locate Microsoft Store Install Service
5. Confirm Status is Running and Startup type is Manual
6. Repeat the same check for Windows Update

If these services are running correctly and the issue continues, system file integrity must be checked.

Fix 5 – Repair system files using SFC

Once Store services are confirmed, you need to check whether required Windows system files are damaged.

Steps

1. Press Win + S
2. Type Command Prompt
3. Right-click it and select Run as administrator
4. Run:sfc /scannow
5. Wait for the scan to complete
6. Restart your PC

If SFC reports no issues or repairs files but the switch still fails, Windows components must be repaired next.

Fix 6 – Repair the Windows image using DISM

This step repairs the Windows image used by Store and licensing components.

Steps

• Open Command Prompt as administrator
• Run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

• Wait for the process to complete
• Restart Windows

If the issue continues after DISM, the problem is no longer related to basic Store or system corruption.

Fix 7 – Attempt the S Mode switch again

After confirming all prerequisites, you should attempt the switch again.

Steps

1. Press Win + I → System
2. Select Activation
3. Under Switch to Windows 11 Home, select Go to the Store
4. Click Get
5. Wait for confirmation

If this still fails, the remaining causes are limited and require advanced recovery steps.

FAQs

Why can’t you switch out of Windows 11 S Mode?

You usually cannot switch out of Windows 11 S Mode because the Microsoft Store is not working correctly or your Microsoft account is not fully signed in.

Is switching out of Windows 11 S Mode free?

Yes, switching out of Windows 11 S Mode is completely free and does not require a product key or payment.

Why does the Microsoft Store Get button not work in S Mode?

The Get button may not work if the Store cache is corrupted, required services are stopped, or Windows system files are damaged.

Will switching out of S Mode remove your files or apps?

No, switching out of S Mode does not delete your personal files or installed applications.

Can you switch back to S Mode after disabling it?

No, once you switch out of Windows 11 S Mode, the change is permanent and cannot be reversed.

Does Windows 11 Home or Pro affect S Mode switching?

No, S Mode works independently of the Windows edition and can be disabled on both Home and Pro systems.

Do you need an internet connection to switch out of S Mode?

Yes, an active internet connection is required because the process depends on Microsoft Store services.

What should you do if none of the fixes work?

If none of the fixes work, a Windows repair install or a hardware licensing check may be required.

In most cases, you will resolve this issue during the account, Store, or cache checks in the early steps.If the problem persists after all fixes, a Windows repair install or hardware licensing check may be required.