This discussion has been locked.

You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Is Windows 10/11 S mode support coming?

My new PC came with Windows 10 S (secure mode) as an increasing number of new PCs do (10 S or 11 S), but Garmin Express is for some strange reason still not compatible with this (not available in Windows app store).

I know you can turn off secure mode, but that cannot be reversed and it seems asinine to have to permanently downgrade the security of your new PC to run Garmin (everything else runs fine, even my old multifunction printer had its scanner software for Windows S ready in the Windows app store).

Has anyone heard anything about when Garmin is planning to support the new Windows? At some point they have to, the volume of users on this new version is growing very very significantly if you look at what is being sold.

0 JohnfromPA over 2 years ago

IMO, there aren't many real solid reasons to run in S mode. You may want to read the article at www.techrepublic.com/.../

0 Arne over 2 years ago in reply to JohnfromPA

The article on Tech Republic I think you were linking do actually state "Windows S is more secure", and that is important. Not accepting installation of random software from random sources (either intentionally or unintentionally (!) by user) is a major security improvement (my previous job was in cybersecurity) and one of the major factors to keeping the iphone/ipad environment as trouble free as it has been.

They also state that the cons can be usability limitations since you can't install what you want, the vendors need to support the new version. In my case Garmin is the only one who doesn't, everything else works fine with Windows S support, including what I was most afraid of, my old printer-scanner, they had their scanner app with S mode support in the Windows app store already.

Regardless of what one think of Windows S or not, I think Garmin is in for a world of hurt if they don't support it soon, because with so many new PCs configured this way -- when normal users try to turn it off, they get very dire warnings from Windows not to and many will be scared away from doing it.

0 JohnfromPA over 2 years ago in reply to Arne

At least for some versions of Windows 10 V1903 or later, and maybe not S mode, you could allow or prevent unverified apps. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features. In the right pane of Apps & features, under Choose where to get apps, select Anywhere option. The other options presented are Anywhere, Anywhere but let me know..., Anywhere but warn me..., and The Microsoft Store only.

The question is, is that level of security necessary? Since your previous job was in cybersecurity perhaps you are over thinking things or feel you are a target. But that is a question only you can answer! Before I retired I was responsible for the computers (about two per person) for around 110 engineers positioned worldwide. The incidents of security were extremely rare, almost nil. We used a McFee suite and found that what few problems we had were the result of people bringing something to work that they had worked on at home, and on a "home" PC that was unprotected. So we began purchasing McFee licensed so that the individuals could install it on their personally owned PC's.

I could be wrong but I would not be optimistic that Garmin works the issue anytime soon.