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But what are the differences between Windows 10 Home and Pro? And what is Windows 10 in S Mode? Which one is right for you? Are the versions of Windows 11 the same as Windows 10? Home is the standard version of Windows 10, the baseline package designed for the general user primarily accessing Windows at home. This version contains all the core features targeting a broad consumer market, such as the Cortana voice assistant , Outlook, OneNote, and Microsoft Edge.

Home is still compatible with the Windows Insider program, but it does limit the security and group management services made available to other versions. Windows 10 Home includes all of the features that are likely important to the general user. The free version provides 5GB, whereas you can get additional storage through the Microsoft subscription.

Generally speaking, Windows 10 Home is light on professional features, but it does include mobile device management. That might be helpful for individuals or families that want to control apps and security settings for connected phones.

The professional version of Windows 10 includes many extra features designed for businesses. It has virtually everything offered by Windows Home, plus additional security and management services. This version of Windows 10 is typically purchased in bulk by companies or schools, though you can configure desktops and laptops to include it versus using Home.

These versions include extra features to buy and upload content in bulk. That all said, the additional features in Windows 10 Pro are valuable to IT administrators but not to the general PC owner. Note that Microsoft combines elements of Office , Windows 10, and Mobility and Security features. Windows 10 in S mode is a version of Windows 10 that Microsoft configured to run on lighter devices, provide better security, and enable easier management. You can opt out of this mode and revert to Windows 10 Home or Pro see below.

Functionally, S mode supports the same basic services as the underlying Windows 10 license. Microsoft targets schools in particular and wants educators to have the necessary tools for class management. However, S mode also removes some significant capabilities to get these results. The first and most significant difference is that Windows 10 in S mode only allows apps to be installed from the Windows Store.

This limitation enables Microsoft to root out malware more efficiently and ensure a certain level of app quality, but it does limit what people can download and use. Similarly, Bing is the default search engine for S mode activities.

Startup times and app activities are generally faster in S mode, which is a plus. The reason for the speed is that there are no Windows legacy apps to slow things down. Files automatically save in the cloud via OneDrive, which helps avoid bloat on smaller hard drives.

For more info, check with the hardware manufacturer or the organization that developed the driver. Drivers are software programs that communicate with hardware devices—they're commonly used for antivirus and antimalware software, printing or PDF software, assistive technologies, CD and DVD utilities, and virtualization software. Whether you're in S mode or not, peripherals and devices only work if the drivers they depend on are built into Windows.

Games and apps won't work if they use a version of OpenGL greater than 1. You can check with your game publisher to see if a game will work. Apps that customize the Windows experience might have problems. This includes some input method editors IMEs , assistive technologies, and cloud storage apps.

The organization that develops the app determines whether their app will work on a Windows 11 PC running on a Snapdragon processor. You won't be able to install third-party antivirus software on any edition of Windows 11 running on a Snapdragon processor. However, Windows Defender Security Center will help keep you safe for the supported lifetime of your Windows 11 device.

Windows 11 in S mode provides built-in accessibility features that help you do more on your device. You can check Microsoft Store to see if your preferred assistive technology apps are available for a PC running in S mode. If they aren't available, you can permanently switch out of S mode to use non-Microsoft Store apps. You may want to check with the vendor to find out if their application is compatible with Windows 11 running on a Snapdragon processor.

Not all assistive technology apps work as expected, even if you switch out of S mode. For more info, visit the NV Access website. Note: Switching out of S mode is one-way. If you make the switch, you won't be able to go back to S mode. To learn more, see How do I switch out of S mode?

If you make this switch, it's permanent. Also, even if you aren't in S mode, peripherals and devices will only work if the drivers they depend on are built into Windows It's a good idea to check whether the hardware developer has published a version of the driver that runs on a Windows 11 device with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Note that switching out of S mode is one-way. If you make the switch, you won't be able to go back to S mode on that device.

For more info, see How do I switch out of S mode? Every Windows 11 PC running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor can connect to a cellular data network, whether or not it's S mode enabled. This lets you get online wherever you have a cellular signal. You'll need a data plan and a SIM card from your mobile operator. To learn how to get connected after that, see Cellular settings in Windows. To see if your device will work, check the hardware manufacturer's website or your mobile operator's website.

You can also buy prepaid cellular data plans through Microsoft Store. For more information about how to buy a plan, see Add your Windows PC to your mobile account to get online. Windows 11 in S mode only works with compatible apps from Microsoft Store. Most apps in Microsoft Store work the same for devices whether they're in S mode or not. Many hardware accessories and peripherals such as printers that work with Windows 11 will also work with Windows 11 in S mode, but might have limited functionality.

See Windows 10 in S mode Accessory Compatibility for more info on Microsoft hardware accessories, and for links to contact third parties if you have questions about using their accessories with Windows 11 in S mode.

If you don't find information on a specific model, check with your accessory manufacturer. If you try to use an app that's not in Microsoft Store, you'll get a reminder that the app isn't an option when you're using Windows 11 in S mode. We'll often suggest a category of similar apps or a specific app that's already available in Microsoft Store. If you still want to download an application that's not in Microsoft Store or has compatibility issues, you can switch out of S mode, but you won't be able to switch back again.

The number of compatible apps and devices will continue to grow. For the most up-to-date information, you can always check back at this website, at Microsoft Store in Windows, or with the hardware or software manufacturer.

If you absolutely need to use an app or device that's not compatible, it's easy to switch out of S mode—you just won't be able to switch back. Windows provides a number of built-in accessibility features to help you do more. If you need to use assistive technology apps that aren't available through Microsoft Store, and aren't downloadable on a Windows 11 device in S mode, you'll need to switch out of S mode and you won't be able to switch back.

Windows 10 in S mode is a version of Windows 10 that's streamlined for security and performance, while providing a familiar Windows experience. When you upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, the upgrade will attempt to install the same edition in Windows 11 as you have on your Windows 10 device. If you have the Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions of Windows 10 in S mode, Windows Update will not offer Windows 11 because S mode is not available in those editions of Windows Therefore, if you have the Pro, Enterprise or Education editions of Windows 10 in S mode, you'll need to switch out of S mode to upgrade to Windows To increase security and performance, Windows 10 in S mode runs only apps from Microsoft Store.

If you want to install an app that isn't available in Microsoft Store, you'll need to permanently switch out of S mode. You can find important info in What limitations should I be aware of when using a PC running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor? If you have an existing Windows 10 S device and you install the April Update or later, you'll have a Windows 10 Pro device in S mode.

Windows 10 in S mode on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. If you make this switch, it's permanent, and bit x64 apps still won't run. In most cases, if you install an app from Microsoft Store on another Windows 10 PC, you should be able to install it on your PC with Windows 10 in S mode if you sign in with the same Microsoft account. There are important limitations regarding apps and switching out of S mode on Windows 10 Snapdragon devices. It depends on the type of Domain join you use and which edition of Windows 10 your device is running.

It's not available in Windows 10 Home in S mode. On-premise Domain join is not available in S mode for any edition of Windows. To enable On-premise Domain join, switch the device out of S mode and run a Windows edition that includes the Domain join feature Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Enterprise.

When you're using Windows 10 in S mode, Microsoft Edge is always the default web browser, and Bing is the default search engine. Currently, the only antivirus software known to be compatible with Windows 10 in S mode is the version that comes with it: Windows Defender Security Center.

Windows Defender Security Center delivers a robust suite of security features that help keep you safe for the supported lifetime of your Windows 10 device. For more info, see Windows 10 security. Also note that by exclusively using apps from Microsoft Store and browsing safely with Microsoft Edge, Windows 10 in S mode keeps you running more quickly and securely day in and day out.

If you want to use another antivirus software provider, you can ask if they offer a product that runs on a Windows 10 device in S mode.

Many hardware accessories and peripherals such as printers that work with Windows 10 Home and Pro also work with Windows 10 in S mode, though sometimes they only offer limited functionality. Whether you're running Windows 10 in S mode or not, there are some limitations when you run a PC on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor:. Drivers for hardware, games and apps will only work if they're designed for a Windows 10 PC running on a Snapdragon processor.

You can usually find bit x86 versions of apps, but some app developers only offer bit x64 apps. The organization that develops the app detemines whether their app will work on a Windows 10 PC running on a Snapdragon processor.

You won't be able to install third-party antivirus software on any edition of Windows 10 running on a Snapdragon processor. However, Windows Defender Security Center will help keep you safe for the supported lifetime of your Windows 10 device. Windows 10 in S mode provides built-in accessibility features that help you do more on your device.

You may want to check with the vendor to find out if their application is compatible with Windows 10 running on a Snapdragon processor. It's a good idea to check whether the hardware developer has published a version of the driver that runs on a Windows 10 device with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

Every Windows 10 PC running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor can connect to a cellular data network, whether or not it's S mode enabled. Windows 10 in S mode only works with compatible apps from Microsoft Store.

Many hardware accessories and peripherals such as printers that work with Windows 10 will also work with Windows 10 in S mode, but might have limited functionality. See Windows 10 in S mode Accessory Compatibility for more info on Microsoft hardware accessories, and for links to contact third parties if you have questions about using their accessories with Windows 10 in S mode.

Yes, education customers can test Windows 10 in S mode on an existing Windows 10 device. This offer is for technical users, so please see the important pre-installation information at docs. If you try to use an app that's not in Microsoft Store, you'll get a reminder that the app isn't an option when you're using Windows 10 in S mode.

If you need to use assistive technology apps that aren't available through Microsoft Store, and aren't downloadable on a Windows 10 device in S mode, you'll need to switch out of S mode and you won't be able to switch back.

Windows 10 Enterprise in S mode is a subscription that provides additional options for your compatible device. You'll get:. To install it, you'll need the right volume license agreement and existing qualifying devices that are already enabled in S mode. Or you can work with the manufacturer or partner to get it installed when you buy a new device. If your device is running Windows 10 Enterprise in S mode and you choose to switch out of S mode, your device will be running Windows 10 Enterprise.

If you switch, you won't be able to get back into S mode again. It has many of the Windows 10 Education features that you know today, but we made some changes so you could have a more secure experience, with better performance.

To install it, you'll need the right volume license agreement and devices that are already enabled in S mode. If your device is running Windows 10 Education in S mode and you choose to switch out of S mode, your device will then be running Windows 10 Education. Windows 11 Windows 10 Windows 10 S More About Windows 11 in S mode Windows 11 in S mode is a version of Windows 11 that's streamlined for security and performance, while providing a familiar Windows experience.