OT - Windows S Mode
I bought a cheap HP laptop to travel with and discovered that it comes preprogrammed with Windows S-Mode. I guess I am a victim of my own lack of prepurchase research.
Anyway, I have learned that S Mode is supposed to enhance cyber security but will only allow apps to be installed from the Windows Store hence even things like Chrome can't be installed. But you can exit from Windows S Mode to get all the usual stuff but once you do you can't go back.
So far, in the week or so I have had this thing, I have been content to browse with Edge and can still use my email and things from Office, which is mostly what I will do with this cheap laptop anyway.
So, do the advantages of S Mode outweigh the disadvantages? And (advanced question I guess) why is that that if you left S Mode to use things outside of the MS universe you couldn't change your mind and go back to S Mode? Is it a technical thing or just a marketing thing (Windows trying to morph into Apple?)
Sir, this is a Michigan sports blog.
Aren't we in OT season?
Definitely no nerds here!
Nerds don't let nerds windoze
"Sir, this is a Michigan sports blog."
I beg to differ. During lack-of-anything season I come here for anything that approaches intellectual stimulation. That's the Michigan difference!
And, yes, usually I leave disappointed...
Look at it like this: If you set your wife aside for a while because someone else had some "software" that you wanted to "browse," do you think she'd take you back? C'mon, man. It's about loyalty.
(/s, for those who were unsure. Of course MS demands complete loyalty so they can keep their hand in our pockets. And what do we get in return? Incremental improvements on new products that we now have to pay a subscription for when the old versions worked just fine.)
careful you don't 'download' a virus when you and your browser go on walk-about.
Why would you buy something that has Windows Sparty Mode?
Especially since the only part of the keyboard that works is "L".
Only Windows 95 had Sparty Mode.
In the OP’s defense, it is properly labeled “OT”. As for S-Mode, bust out the anti-trust lawyers.
I am antitrust lawyer. Based on the limited info supplied, if the device allows you to exit S mode and access everything that you ordinarily can -- at no additional cost -- that should not raise any AT concerns.
How is S-Mode any different than an iPhone or a PlayStation? At least M$ allows people to opt out of being forced to use their marketplace.
As a savvy computer user, I would not keep my computer in s-mode. If you or your family members have a history of viruses and malware, maybe you need that buffer. I do not know why you cannot return to s-mode once you leave.
This is a weird-ass place to ask this question.
This is MGoBlog in the off season. We can discuss whatever we want. Right this very moment I'm drafting a blog post about simian hand to eye coordination and accuracy in poop slinging.
A wierd place? It is OT season and over the years of being on this board I have learned much about non Michigan sports topics. Everything from receipes, to bourbon, to travel, to cars, to real estate. Generally there is a well rounded educated poster base here and I was looking to get some real life experience and advice. Please accept my apologies if I was wrong to do so.
Nah, you are good to go. No apology needed. Besides, I never heard of Microsoft 'S' mode until you posted. My middle son is buying a laptop soon and now I know something he needs to know before he makes the purchase. Thank you.
dad, he made this purchase and this is what he came up with....
You're correct in that topics of all flavors and varieties are posted here, and so long as they're marked 'OT' - which yours clearly is, they're okay. Especially in OT season. And you had a legit question, too! Nothing wrong with your post. Unless its political - politics need to be verbotten.
Keep in mind that there are plenty of asshats that have to read the thread before realizing they don't know anything about the topic, or don't care about it, or just plain don't like it. And they all have to comment about how the post doesn't belong, like they're the MGoTopicPolice. Ignore them. Half of them will make it political anyway, whether it was, or not.
EDIT: I should clarify that I haven't seen any 'asshat' posts about an OT post - yet. The two questioning it (at time my post) were good questions.
Dogs' anal glands, anyone?
alex, i'll take 'counter tops' for $500
And don't forget about those private school blogs, and of course JORTS!!!
Gravy might have been one of the best.
Not being able to get back into S-mode after leaving it makes a lot of sense from a support perspective.
It's apparently supposed to be a highly secure mode and is presumably aimed at security-conscious government and corporate users. If you can leave it, install dubious or restricted software and then re-enter at will (or even just once), though, you can no longer be sure it's secure.
I have done some IT work for companies in the banking industry. The laptops they gave IT employees were highly locked down for what should be obvious reasons; I have to think S-mode is aimed at customers like this.
Sure, that's a pain in the ass for many users. If your employer requires you to have custom software they can either put in in the Microsoft Store or (assuming this is not restricted somehow) put it in their S-mode install image.
Having said that, no way in hell I'd use that on my personal laptop. I don't use the Microsoft Store, either.
To be absolutely fair, over and above the fact that it is OT season, the same blog that once had - for a time - a thread where someone earnestly asked about and sought shirtless photos of the basketball team earned its right to be a place for "weird ass questions" in just about the most honest manner possible, thank you (note: this question is not so weird really).
My guess here is that S Mode is a closed platform and only things vetted by Microsoft (via the Windows Store) are therefore allowed on the system. The advantages, if Microsoft properly vets apps in its store, are security and stability. It's the same thing Apple does on its phones and other technologies. The downside is you lose flexibility.
The reason you can't switch to a less secure mode and then switch back is that once you've gone less secure and downloaded things to your laptop not "vetted" by Microsoft, you've compromised system security. Spyware / malware could have been downloaded to the drive so Microsoft isn't going to let you go back to a "secure" mode when it's lost control of security.
All of this of course is what Microsoft would say if asked. It is true theoretically. But is security the real reason for S-Mode or is it to lock you into Microsoft apps (and lock out competitors)?
Your question regarding "is it worth it" comes down to security. If you are very concerned about security, in theory S-Mode is more secure. If you are more concerned about app variety, it's not worth it. I personally use Windows 10 on my Surface Book. I run an A/V program, and annually at least - more likely 2x per year - I do a reset of Windows and wipe everything out. While I have many reasons to do this, it does theoretically get rid of any viruses or spyware that might be lurking.
"I personally use Windows 10 on my Surface Book."
As an aside, while we are this far off topic:
I have Windows 11 and it is an absolute nightmare. So much stuff that ran on 10 won't run on 11. I write software professionally using stuff published by Lawrence Berkely National Laboratories, and 11 causes chaos. I have to carry around an old laptop along with my new one so I can do retro work.
As for security, I delete all of it and don't click on anything stupid. I get all my porn from reputable sites. If you share the computer with others, fair enough. But I haven't had a virus in at least a decade by just using a bit of common sense when browsing. The security apps slow things down to the point I find them irritating.
Glad you said that as they keep wanting me to switch to 11 and from friends who are tech savvy told me not to do it as it still has so many bugs to workout and like you said half the stuff doesn't run on it.
I couldn't run 11 if I wanted to. You have to have specific processors with a specific security mode to even install it. Microsoft made the decision to prevent even their own computers older than a few years from running Windows 11 cuz they don't have that processor. It makes sense from a security and sales perspective: you need to upgrade your hardware - Microsoft hopes you use their laptops or tablets! - to run it.
That said, I have Windows 11 on my work PC and I really like it. But that's cuz someone else has worked out all the compatibility issues for me.
So I'm a guy who hates Microsoft who is once again using Windows on my home PC.
If you're tech savvy throw Ubuntu or another Debian build on it and don't worry about Microsofts spyware.
Or don't. I don't really know anymore. I guess Microsoft is fine as long as you don't mind them mining all your data.
Don't all websites mine data Facebook sold all our data to Russians and the Chinese or whoever the highest bidder was and TiK Tok is spyware for the Chinese on Americans. Plus there are health websites where are physical health is tracked and sold to the Chinese for some purpose they say is for the good of us. I am not super tech savvy but everything we do in a phone puter etc is getting are information and storing it and will be sold for some purpose. The old way was those drawings at the mall where you could win a car where you put down all your information. That was one way they did it before all the technology
Firstly, don't ever buy a cheap laptop - ever. Just get an iPad or a nice 13-inch compact.
Secondly, S-mode sounds like a huge hassle just to accomplish the same thing a VPN browser like Brave can do for free.
Lastly, don't ever buy a cheap laptop - ever.
Firstly, don't ever buy a cheap laptop - ever. Just get an iPad or a nice 13-inch compact (Dell XPS or a Macbook Air). You can buy and blow through 5 shitty laptops and pay the same amount that you would if you just spent around $1,000 on something that will function with speed and efficiency (and no headaches).
Secondly, S-mode sounds like a huge hassle just to accomplish the same thing a VPN browser like Brave can do for free.
Lastly, don't ever buy a cheap laptop - ever.
I ran a cheap Toshiba laptop for years rubbing Lubuntu on it
Worked like a champ for downloading duck porn and playing minesweeper
Hey, the man clearly said don't EVER buy cheap duck porn.
You can say that again.
S mode really isn't any different than using a Chromebook or an iPad. It's a walled garden of applications that have been vetted and work optimally with the hardware at hand, with the trade-off being you can't install everything out of the box. But you can side-load apps on both Chrome and apple devices just the same, and with S mode at least it's just a button click away. If you do have a reason to go back then you can reset the device while retaining your files and go back to S mode.
I actually used S mode for a while on a really low-powered laptop I had set up for my young kids and it was fine. It's limited but if you're just browsing the web, watching videos, etc. then it's fine and, again, you don't have to worry about compatibility and performance issues.
I run the operating system from Cyberdyne Systems. It eliminates all problems.
Once this is installed, there is also no going back.
Cyberdyne, you say? I hear their AI engine is top notch.
Can you visit PornHub on the SkyNet browser? Asking for a friend.
No need - you just zoom into various homes until you find what you like...
Wow, you learn something here every day! I just knew my Mrs. Cranfield was up to no good next door. Thanks!
Do I know just the girl for you.
Pornhub yes Skynet not sure. Lol
Overtaking S (mode)
I think Microsoft makes a good product and is a good company. At the same time, I can understand your frustration. I hope this works out well for you and you are happy with your purchase. I also hope both you, and all the people at Microsoft have a terrific day.
This comment is so mGrowOld can't say all my comments are negative.
Is this Windows version of Parental control? I'm in the market for a new Laptop, so this is good info, thanks for posting.
No to me it isn't is is more a way to protect you from hacks or information getting stolen from other places. The Google play store apps can't be downloaded but you can still look at whatever you want on the internet and stuff like that. As far a social media I have no idea since I don't do social media. To me it is part of the downfall of humans. Granted there are good from it but the negatives outweigh them by so much to me that it ain't worth it.