Windows 11 - Can't switch out of S mode

Try a reinstall. Settings > System > Recovery > Fix using windows update > Reinstall now.

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

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 However, there may be a process that periodically checks the validity of the security certificates, and if out of date, refreshes them with currently valid replacements.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.

If that doesn't work then a repair install using the latest ISO image file from Download Windows 11 (microsoft.com)

Download the ISO image and save it. Open File Explorer and locate the ISO image, mount it with either a right click > Mount or double click.

This will open a new drive letter in File Explorer. Double click setup.exe in the right hand pane and follow the instructions. You should have the option to keep all files, apps, programs and settings. This will reinstall windows.

Hi, when I try to do this I'm left with an error message

"failed to start repair solution 0x800700aa"

anyone else had this issue?