What is WIndows S-mode and why won't some of my software work?
Answer
Windows S-mode is a "safe" version of Windows that comes pre-installed on some laptops. With S-mode active, you can only install apps from the Microsoft Store and can only use Edge to browse the internet. This can make things safer for you online, but some common software programs may also be blocked.
If you need to install software like Respondus Lockdown Browser, you can turn off S-mode. This is a permanent change - you WILL NOT be able to restore S-mode on your computer! If you prefer to keep your computer in S-mode, we recommend using a BVC computer for any exams and other tasks that will not work on your device.
For more information, including instructions about how to turn off S-mode on your computer, check out this Microsoft support FAQ: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-and-windows-11-in-s-mode-faq-851057d6-1ee9-b9e5-c30b-93baebeebc85