If the device is hanging on the black “this may take a minute to finalize” screen while switching out of S mode, use this order:
- Wait several minutes first if the device is still showing the Microsoft logo or a spinning circle. A Surface support article states to wait several minutes before trying fixes when the device is stuck on a logo screen.
- Check for pending Windows updates:
- Open Start and search for Windows Update.
- Install any pending updates.
- Restart the PC.
- Reset the Microsoft Store cache:
- Open Start.
- Type WSReset.exe and run it.
- Restart the PC.
- If it still fails, use Windows Update repair:
- Open Settings > System > Recovery.
- Select Install now under Fix problems using Windows Update.
- When it finishes, try switching out of S mode again.
- Try the switch again from the official S mode path:
- In Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Activation > under Switch to Windows 10 Home or Switch to Windows 10 Pro, select Go to the Store.
- In Microsoft Store, open Switch out of S mode and select Get.
- Do not select the link under Upgrade your edition of Windows.
- If the device belongs to an organization, check with the administrator. An organization can keep devices in S mode.
Important:
- Switching out of S mode is permanent.
- There is no charge to switch out of S mode.
- Once the switch completes, the device can install apps from outside Microsoft Store.
References: