LKBEN11651: How to deactivate Windows Safe Mode or S-Mode?

Symptom

You need to deactivate Safe mode. (also called S Mode)

Cause

For security and performance, this mode of Windows only runs Microsoft-verified apps.

Solution

Switching out of S mode is one-way. If you make the switch, you won't be able to go back in S mode.

Open Settings -> Update & Security -> Activation

In the "Switch to Windows 10 Home" or "Switch to Windows 10 Pro" section -> select "Go to the Store". On the "Switch out of S mode" select the Get-Button. You can start to install apps from outside the MS Store.

How to check if your windows is in S mode:

Windows 11 Pro in S mode

Open settings -> about section

Settings -> Recovery -> advanced startup - > restart in recovery mode

Choose an Option -> Troubleshoot -> Advanced options -> command prompt -> regedit -> this regedit is for the recovery system so we need to load the registry of the system in S-mode
and change that registry -> therefore we need to load hive -> c:\windows\system32\config\system -> name the hive (e.g. mypc) -> under this key we change the registry -> controlset001 -> control -> ci -> policy ->

here you might find 3 keys. (sometimes only 2)

EmodePolicyRequired
SkuPolicyRequired
VerfiedAndReputablePolicyState

You need to change SkuPoliyRequired and set it from 1 to 0

-> go to file and unload hive

restart your system. Your PC should not be in S-mode anymore and you should be able to run normal applications.

Have fun.

Disclaimer:

About the Author

Author: Wim Peeters - Keskon GmbH & Co. KG

Wim Peeters is electronics engineer with an additional master in IT and over 30 years of experience, including time spent in support, development, consulting, training and database administration. Wim has worked with SQL Server since version 6.5. He has developed in C/C++, Java and C# on Windows and Linux. He writes knowledge base articles to solve IT problems and publishes them on the Lubby Knowledge Platform.

Latest update: 15.03.2023