My daughter has an HP laptop she bought last year and when we first set it up it gave her the option of having WINDOWS 10 in 'S' mode, which is a mode that forces you to only use apps and programs through the MS store as a security measure.  You were supposed to be able to switch out of S mode at any time (though once you did you couldn't switch back).  Problem is when follow the steps to switch out of S mode, I go into the settings, under activation, the store link there takes her to a page that says she can upgrade for $99.  If I try to install an app not available in the MS store, it tells you you can't and there is a 'learn more' link that takes you to the same upgrade page but this time there's a 'Get' button but it's greyed out.  Her account is listed as the administrator as well, just FYI.

I THOUGHT maybe I could do a reset of windows, but in the control panel under 'backup and restore' it says 'backup and restore Windows 7' which is odd as Windows 10 is definitely the OS and like I mentioned she just bought the PC last year. 

Suggestions?  I've been Googling for over an hour and read numerous tips that supposedly solved the problem, but so far no luck.I recently helped my sister switch a laptop she purchased out of S mode.

From the Microsoft support website (Pay attention to the part in bold below):

• On your PC running Windows 10 in S mode, open Settings  > Update & Security  > Activation.
• 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.)
• 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.