Windows 11 - Can't switch out of S mode

This is ridiculous. Computers shouldn't come with a mode installed that means you are severely limited to what software and apps you can install, period. Personally I'm sending this pos Windows laptop back where it came from.

Maybe just DONT have S mode as default. If I've paid £600 for my PC I should be able to install whatever apps I like!!!

i will try just to wait for 24 hours or 48 hours to see if it will

like others will know that they have to wait or reinstall the Windows

I'm having the same issue. Brand new out of box laptop. I followed all the steps you directed original poster and still unable to get out of S Mode.

Like many here, I had the same problem, tried various suggestions, waited, and finally succeeded in exiting S Mode. I note that "waiting" seems to be frequently mentioned by those that eventually successfully exited S Mode.

My working theory is that removing S Mode may require the same sort of security as other, usually-paid, license upgrades.

This likely requires certain security files, or certificates, to be valid.

It may be that, for machines that were imaged months or years earlier, carry with them an old, likely expired certificate. That is what blocks the "license change" from initially being executed. However, there may be a process that periodically checks the validity of the security certificates, and if out of date, refreshes them with currently valid replacements. It also seems possible that reinstalling Windows from a recently downloaded ISO file/disk installs currently valid certificates.

Since I reinstalled Windows AND waited over 24 hours, I'm not sure what made the difference.

For those who cannot exit S Mode who may read this in the future, it would be great if some of them "just waited", taking no other action, and see if that is all that is needed. Reporting your experiences here would benefit many.