November 5, 2024

Windows 10 comes with a built-in retail demo mode. This mode (Retail Demo Experience or RDX) is useful for showcasing Windows 10 devices in retail stores wherein shoppers can navigate and test drive Windows 10 without having to sign-in.

The setting for this mode is hidden by default and not easily accessible. Also, when switching to this mode, all your existing data will be deleted.

Enabling Windows 10 Retail Demo Experience:

Here is how to enable this retail demo mode:

Open Windows Settings (Win key + I). Choose Update & Security.

accessing Windows 10 settings

Then select Activation.

activation settings in Windows 10

From the Activation section, left-click on Windows 5 times.

left-click on Windows 5 times

This will launch the retail demo mode wizard. For it to work, there must be Internet connectivity. Again, all your data will be deleted if this mode is enabled. Select Change to continue.

retail demo setup wizard in Windows 10

There will be an option of entering various details like Retail Access Code (RAC), Retailer SKU, Retailer Store ID, and so on. This is for inventory purposes and can be skipped unless the Windows 10 PC is a part of a retail store.

adding details for the demo Windows 10 PC in retail mode

Clicking on Advanced configuration can schedule the automatic shutdown of the PC. It is useful when the PC is showcased in a store and the shutdown timings can be set to that of the store’s closing hours.

configuring PC shutdown schedule for retail demo experience in Windows 10

Click Next to continue. This will show the Retail Demo Experience (RDX) settings.

configuring RDX admin settings in Windows 10

It is better to initially have administrator access to install apps and configure settings and then permanently remove it once the PC is showcased or accessible to the general public. Choose the number of days as needed after which the admin access will be removed and click on Finish.

If the option of permanently removing admin access automatically after a specified time is turned off, then you would need to enter a password for administrator access.

enabling admin access in RDX settings for Windows 10

This however is not recommended considering that the PC will be accessible to everyone.

Click on Finish for the changes to take effect.

Windows 10 PC switching to retail demo mode

Using Retail Demo Mode Experience:

The PC will restart and will automatically log-in with an account named Darrin DeYoung.

generic account in Windows 10 retail demo mode

This is not a real person account but a generic account name depending on the system locale. A list of all these account names based on the locale can be found here.

After logging in, the Microsoft Retail Demo Provisioning app will be downloaded and installed.

Microsoft Retail Demo Provisioning app installed in retail demo mode

Microsoft Retail Demo Provisioning app being downloaded in Windows 10 retail demo mode

There will be a slideshow and a video loop about various features of Windows 10 that will play on the PC.

Windows 10 retail demo attract loop

Shoppers and users can browse the PC and check out various Windows 10 features.

Removing Retail Demo Experience:

To switch back to factory default settings from the retail demo mode, the process is the same. Access Windows Settings, go to Update & Security, and choose Activation.

Then, click on Windows 5 times. It will open the retail demo setup wizard.

reset PC from the Windows 10 retail demo mode back to factory settings

Click on Advanced configuration to proceed.

Select Remove to delete RDX and reset the PC to its factory settings.

removing RDX from Windows 10 retail demo mode

Click on Finish.

This will again wipe out all the data that is available, click on Confirm to continue.

disable retail demo experience in Windows 10

The PC will restart and now the Windows 10 setup screen will be available for a new installation.

Windows 10 setup screen for new installation

The previous generic account too won’t be available, and a new one would need to be setup.

creating a new account during Windows 10 setup after a factory reset

All done.

By admin

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