Windows 10 S MODE HELL!!!!!!

[Porthos]

Chrome and Firefox both have 32 bit versions that automatically install depending on what system they detect. Unless you actually verify they're not in the Program Files (x86) folder, you don't know for sure whether you're actually running the 64 bit version even if that's the one you downloaded. I have no idea if Libre Office does this or not.

Before I posted I looked at a monitored computer and they are 64-bit versions on a 64 bit OS.

 

[sapphirescales]

Before I posted I looked at a monitored computer and they are 64-bit versions on a 64 bit OS.

What processor was the computer running? Just curious.

 

[Porthos]

What processor was the computer running? Just curious.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Erm... Windows 10 Core Edition? There's the problem... WTF is that doing on a consumer laptop?

IoT Core is for... well IoT devices, not laptops.

 

[Porthos]

Windows 10 Core Edition? There's the problem... WTF is that doing on a consumer laptop?

Core is what Home edition is known by.

 

[Sky-Knight]

That actually makes sense... but yet, this is the first I've heard of even the underlying version text stating so.

There is an IoT Core variant of Windows 10, and it announces itself with that very text string... so... that's bad.

 

[sapphirescales]

@Porthos That processor definitely supports full Windows 10. I wonder what Microsoft meant by you can't run 64 bit apps? They must have meant literal store apps, and to that I answer "who gives a sh*t?"

Either that or they're talking about those devices that use ARM processors. I know someone here said that it was someone on the Microsoft forums that said that, but I actually found it on Microsoft's website on their official FAQ's for Windows 10S:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4020089/windows-10-in-s-mode-faq

 

[Porthos]

That actually makes sense... but yet, this is the first I've heard of even the underlying version text stating so.

The name Core has been around since Windows 8.
There is single language which was the 8.1 with Bing.
Home which is Core.
And Pro.

Then of course Enterprise and Education.
Of course there are more but not on mainstream laptops and desktops.

 

[Porthos]

they're talking about those devices that use ARM processors.

 

[sapphirescales]

@Porthos - But this was just under their general FAQ:

 

[Porthos]

The above is why one needs to get out of s mode to begin with.
S mode is restricted to store apps only. most printers (older) will not install in it as well.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Oh yeah, S Mode is one thing... ARM version of Windows is quite another.

 

[Porthos]

Windows Home in Smode can go to Home and some higher-end computers have Windows Pro in Smode can switch to Pro.
Only home to home and pro to pro can switch for free.

 

[lan101]

They called today to tell me they will call me tomorrow lol. We'll see what happens.

 

[britechguy]

This just in from someone I know who broke out of S-Mode on 64-bit hardware:

"I did this [breaking out of S-Mode] some months ago. and yes 64 bit programs run as it is a 64 bit version of windows not sure about the apps from store as I do not really use them."

 

[fincoder]

ut this was just under their general FAQ

I suspect when that FAQ was written, S-mode devices were all 32-bit such as netbook-class laptops. In the last 6 months or so, S-mode is appearing on mainstream specced devices such as the Ryzen with 8GB RAM in the snapshot by porthos above.

Oem vendors probably get a discount if they commit to do so.

I think this is why we're seeing S-mode more, and on better spec devices. The excuse is to lockdown for students etc, but that can be done with the normal OS anyway. Microsoft probably charges the OEM nothing for the S-mode OS (or very little) in an attempt to sell apps and content via the app store instead (MS gets a cut of every 3rd-party app store purchase).
They did this with the Windows Bing version where the OEM promised to set Bing as the search engine for a discounted OS cost.

 

[lan101]

**UPDATE**

Talked with level 2 today. He took a bunch of logs and is going to submit those to "engineers." They are supposed to call me in the next 24-72 hours to let me know what's next. This guy at least admitted it's an issue and said they had around 25 machines in the system with this issue. It's gotta be way more than that I thought but that's what he said.

 

[lan101]

**Final Update**

It finally worked today. Level 3 said it's a server related issue...so really it's just a waiting game. I don't think they really have it fixed...it's just going to be hit or miss on who has the issue and who doesn't. Try explaining to impatient clients to wait a week and "hopefully" it'll eventually work lol.

 

[britechguy]

Just get the "Try that again something happened on our end waiting for a bit might help."

And while I'm sure it is a relief to know both "it's not just me, "it's temporary," and why that is, after all that effort it boils down to doing exactly what the original message said (except for the "a bit" part - this went on for way more than "a bit.").