HP Stream 14-inch HD BrightView Laptop, Intel Celeron N4120 Processor, 16GB RAM, 288GB Storage (128GB eMMC + 160GB Dock), Intel UHD Graphics, 720p Webcam, Wi-Fi, 1-year Office 365 Subscription, Win 11 S, Gold Edition
Windows S mode and McAfee can throttle and limit app performance. Getting out of Win 11 S mode should be a simple process, but like it or not, it doesn’t work properly when McAfee is installed. McAfee acts like a worm, invasively infiltrating the system architecture, rather than acting as a gatekeeper like other antivirus apps. In Windows S mode, you can install and run non-Microsoft-approved apps from the Microsoft Store. S mode doesn’t let you install and run any browser other than MS Edge or Bing. There is an app in the MS Store to get out of S mode, but I think it won’t work because of the bloatware that runs when you first turn on and set up your laptop. The switch out of S mode is permanent. All the tips and instructions I’ve found to get this switch to work have failed. There are a lot of frustrated people who are having the same problem. I ended up calling Microsoft support over the phone and was told that this is a very common issue with the product and the only way to fix it is to reset the computer. A full reset will wipe the operating system and any files you’ve added. This isn’t a huge deal since it’s a new computer and I didn’t transfer anything from my old one. After resetting the computer, I was able to get out of S mode and now have Windows 11 Home instead of Win 11S Home. At the same time, a pop-up window appeared to automatically install McAfee, so I could decide not to install it. It’s a bit annoying, but this is a very good laptop. The colors on the screen aren’t as vibrant as I would have liked, but with a resolution of only 1365 x 768, I probably expected that. However, the graphics rendering on connected HD displays is very good and Amazon Prime Video streaming handles it excellently. I hope this information helps people avoid the frustration of an operating environment that is intentionally promoted as being too restrictive. Removing S Mode and McAfee will allow you to use your laptop without restrictions.
- Update: For upgrades only: Upgraded RAM/SSD are covered by a 1-year warranty and the remaining components are covered by a 1-year OEM warranty. 14-inch HD Display: Bright 14-inch display with 1366 x 768 (HD) resolution. The brilliant clarity and brilliance are sure to enrich your work and leisure time.
- Intel Celeron N4120 Processor: Ultra-low voltage platform optimizes power consumption and immerses you in a world of performance and efficiency. Enjoy seamless multitasking and smooth performance with a quad-core quad-socket processor.
- 【16GB DDR4 RAM】Complete resource-intensive tasks seamlessly, run multiple applications seamlessly at the same time, and enjoy blazing-fast responsiveness to keep you running smoothly. 【288GB Storage (128GB + 160GB Combo Dock)】Provides massive storage space for your files, apps and multimedia content, allowing fast and reliable access to data.
- [Intel Ultra HD Graphics] Enjoy powerful picture quality and [720P HD Camera] for high-quality video calls, virtual meetings and online interactions.
- [Windows 11 Home S Mode] [Dimensions & Weight] 12.76 x 8.86 x 0.71 inches, 3.24 lbs [Ports] 1 x USB-C 3.0, 2 x USB-A 3.0, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x Media Card Reader, 1 x Headphone/Microphone, 1 x AC Smart Pin. 【1 x Office 365】Additional docking station set: 1 x 7-in-1 docking station with 128GB storage, 1 x 32GB MicroSD card (with adapter), 1 x Type-C data cable, 1 x 3-in-1 charging cable, 1 x chamois cleaning cloth.