Installing Finale on Windows in S Mode

You may receive a message preventing you from installing Finale when Windows is in S Mode. Windows in S Mode is a security setting that prevents you from installing applications from outside the Microsoft Store. As Finale is not available in the Microsoft Store, you will need to turn off S Mode in order to install Finale on your computer. You can do that by taking these steps:

*Important: Switching out of S Mode is a one-time action. You will not be able to go back to Windows S Mode*

Select your version of Windows:

Windows 11

1. Open "Settings > System > Activation"
2. In the Switch to Windows 11 Pro section, select Go to the Store. (If you also see an "Upgrade your edition of Windows" section, be careful not to click the "Go to the Store" link that appears there.)
3. On the Switch out of S mode (or similar) page that appears in the Microsoft Store, select the Get button.

After you see a confirmation message on the page, you'll be able to install apps from outside of the Microsoft Store.

Windows 10

1. Open "Settings > Update & Security > Activation"
2. In the Switch to Windows 10 Home or Switch to Windows 10 Pro section, select Go to the Store. (If you also see an "Upgrade your edition of Windows" section, be careful not to click the "Go to the Store" link that appears there.)
3. On the Switch out of S mode (or similar) page that appears in the Microsoft Store, select the Get button.

After you see a confirmation message on the page, you'll be able to install apps from outside of the Microsoft Store.