Hey,
the following blog post suggests that S mode is now baked into the April update (at least thats how I read it).
So, does that mean for installs which have received the April 2018 update, they can switch over to S mode?
Windows 10 in S Mode coming soon to all editions of Windows 10 - Windows Experience BlogWindows Experience Blog
Does anyone know how to change an existing windows 10 home installation over to S mode?
With the release of Windows 10, the April 2018 Update, “Windows 10 S” becomes a mode of Windows 10 (called “S mode”) that is available in more editions of Windows (not just Windows 10 Pro).You’ll be able to buy new PCs with either Windows 10 Home in S mode or Windows 10 Pro in S mode prei-nstalled.If you have an existing Windows 10 S device, when you install the April 2018 Update, the device will become a Windows 10 Pro in S mode device.
When buying a new Windows 10 device, you should select one that comes from the PC manufacturer with S mode enabled. You can ask your OEM, your retailer, or check the technical specifications or device packaging to see if a particular device comes in S mode.
When it was first released I installed S Mode by entering an S Mode product code during setup with the appropriate ISO. Then do a change product key to switch to full Windows if I wanted out. That's all gone by the wayside now. I think it has to be done during the Windows install process but I have no idea how you do that. I haven't seen anything in the way of instructions on how to do that, not even on Microsoft's private forum. I also believe once you opt out, there is no going back without reinstalling Windows 10. I can't confirm that though, I have no way to test it? Windows 10 S is not listed on My Visual Studio Subscription for any of the newer builds. I'd have to install 1703 to install 10 S the old way.
According to the latest information, S mode will not be available as an end-user option.
Devices will be sold with 'Powered by Windows 10 S mode' and can be one-way upgraded to W10 Home (or W10 Pro) full versions, this will be a zero-cost option. You can never revert to S mode however, once you have taken the upgrade.
It will be possible to deploy S mode in the corporate sector to client machines.
If you have the only allow apps from the MS store switched on aren't you effectively in 'S' mode anyway?...
No, that is not S Mode. And if your talking about the "Only Install Apps from the Microsoft Store" setting in Settings > Update & Security > For Developers. That's the stock setting if your not a developer. All it does is prevent side loading untrusted Apps. It does not stop you from installing any other Apps from other sources or programs.
If you have a digital license for Pro and clean install S it will be activated with the same digital license. You can convert to Pro with generic key but as you said you can't convert back - you have to clean install again. It makes sense as you could have done anything when not in S mode which would destroy the hoped for extra security.
So to answer the question:You can't and unless something significant changes you'll not be able to.
That very well may work. I trying to remember back when I installed the original 10 S. I don't think I entered a key and it activated with a DL? I'd have to go hunt up that thread and see what I posted to refresh my memory.
EDIT: Looks like I did a skip key, Install Windows 10 S on a Windows 10 PC | Windows 10 Tutorials Best guess is it activated with a Pro DL. That PC has DL's for just about every Edition of Windows 10.
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That's my understanding. The instructions for doing it will likely leak onto the Internet at some point. The same method an OEM will use to set it up. The average joe won't be able to activate though, not legally. I haven't seen said instructions anywhere, not yet anyway.
