What's happening?

The Sophos Home installer returns "The app you are trying to install isn't a Microsoft-verified app" OR "For security and performance, this mode of Windows only runs verified apps form the Store".

This is not a Sophos Home issue, but a Windows setting preventing the computer from installing apps outside of the Microsoft App Store.

What to do?

Please note: The solutions below are quoted from Microsoft Support.

Please make sure the below settings are updated following the provided steps to allow the installation of apps outside the Microsoft Store. 

Change your app recommendation settings (Microsoft KBA)

• Windows 11

1. 1. Select Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
   2. Next to Choose where to get apps, select one of the available options. To see recommendations, select Anywhere, but let me know if there's a comparable app in the Microsoft Store. To stop seeing app recommendations, select Anywhere.

• Windows 10

1. 1. Select Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
   2. Under Installing apps, select one of the available options. To stop seeing app recommendations, select either Allow apps from anywhere or Turn off app recommendations (options vary by Windows version).

Switch out of S mode (Microsoft KBA)

Windows in S mode is designed for security and performance, exclusively running apps from the Microsoft Store. If you want to install an app that isn't available in the Microsoft Store such as Sophos Home, you'll need to switch out of S mode. Please note, Switching out of S mode is one-way. If you make the switch, you won't be able to go back to Windows in S mode without reinstalling Windows. 

For both Windows 10 and 11

1. 1. To switch out of S mode, click here to open the Microsoft Store to the Switch out of S mode (or similar) page.
   2. On the Switch out of S mode (or similar) page, 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.