While it comes with the latest updates from Windows Defender, Windows 11 in S Mode also restricts application installations that aren’t verified through the Microsoft Store, meaning that you aren’t able to install applications from the internet right out of the box. S Mode also brings additional security improvements designed to keep users safe as they surf the web, connect, and work each day. Windows S Mode was built with low-powered devices in mind, allowing more affordable machines to continue running their best throughout the years. Originally released in Windows 10 as Windows 10 S, “S Mode” is the helicopter parent of operating systems. After doing some digging, I realized why - it's not meant for the power user, but it could be perfect for new Windows users. As someone who has built multiple PCs and owned a handful of high-end laptops, S Mode was never something that I’d heard of when first exploring the feature in Windows 10.

Generally speaking, most laptops under $500 running on Windows 11 Home Edition will come with S Mode enabled from the start.

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