How to Change App Recommendation Settings in Windows 11 S Mode

Go back to using any application you need

How to

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by Diana Todea 

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how to change app recommendation settings in windows 11 s mode

Unless you change app recommendation settings in Windows 11 S Mode, you won’t be able to use any apps outside of Microsoft Store.

Instead, you’ll get an error that reads For security and performance, this mode of Windows only runs verified apps from the Store.  Here’s what you need to know to get rid of it:

How to change my app recommendation settings in Windows 11 S Mode

The only way to change app recommendation settings is to switch from S Mode to Windows 11 Pro/ Windows 11 Home and allow Windows to get apps from anywhere.

Note icon NOTE
This change is irreversible, so if you’re not 100% sure you won’t want to go back to using Windows 11 S Mode, please create a system image before you switch it off.

Follow these steps to switch Windows 11 S Mode off:

  1. Type Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to System> Activation.activation option in windows settings
  3. Click on the downward arrow next to S Mode, then click on Open Store.windows 11 s mode open store option
  4. You’ll get a Microsoft Store page explaining what the change entails and that it’s not reversible. Click on the Get button to continue.switch out of s mode
  5. When the process is complete, you’ll get a confirmation window.switch out of s mode complete
  6. Go back to Settings.
  7. Select Apps> Advanced app settings.advanced app settings in windows
  8. Make sure Choose where to get apps is set to Anywhere.choose where to get apps set to anywhere

Now you will be able to install and use any application, no matter the source.

Suppose you want to maintain high security of your system, make sure to always use a reliable antiviurs.

It’ll detect any possible issues with problematic apps before they get a chance to do any damage.

Can S mode be turned back on in Windows 11?

Once you disable Windows 11 S Mode, you won’t have any option to re-enable it from Settings – just as Microsoft warns you when you’re about to make the change.

The only way to get back to using it is to create a system image backup before you switch it off and restore it.

Bottom line

Changing Windows app recommendation settings in Windows S Mode is only possible if you switch to a regular version of Windows.

Doing this will give you more freedom with the apps you download. To maintain the safety of you system, only download from reputable sources and always keep your real-time antivirus protection on.

More about the topics: Microsoft Store Guides, Windows 11

Diana Todea

Diana Todea Shield

With a keen interest in online privacy, she is going all out in making sure we share practical and up-to-date methods to stay safe in the digital space. She’s got a cybersecurity certification from Infosec and a data privacy specialization from UCI.