What is Windows Kiosk Mode? How to set Windows devices in Kiosk Mode?

With a market share of 73.31%, Windows remains the leading desktop operating system worldwide^[1]. Both small to medium businesses and large enterprises are increasingly choosing Windows devices to meet their work needs. As organizations strive to enhance security, streamline operations, and improve user experiences, the importance of deploying Windows devices in Kiosk Mode is evident. 

Organizations can create a focused work environment with Windows kiosk mode and enhance their productivity and security. Kiosk mode restricts access to specific applications, websites, and settings, allowing businesses to deploy Windows devices in a secure manner. This setup enables users to concentrate on essential tasks without distractions or prevents the risks associated with unauthorized access.

This blog provides an overview of Windows Kiosk Mode and highlights its benefits. It offers a step-by-step guide for setting up Kiosk Mode on Windows devices, helping your organization maximize the advantages of this powerful feature.

What is Windows Kiosk Mode?

Windows kiosk mode is a security and efficiency enhancement feature. It transforms your devices running on 7, 8.1, 10, and 11 versions of Windows into dedicated, purpose-driven kiosk machines. Moreover, you can lock the Windows devices to run single or multiple applications, websites, or specific functions on full screen. 

With Windows kiosk mode, you ensure that users cannot modify device settings, access other applications or features on Windows devices, or use the devices for unintended purposes. Due to its restrictive capabilities, organizations secure their Windows devices used for intended purposes such as self-check-in kiosks at airports, point-of-sale (POS) terminals in food courts, or digital signage.

Benefits of Kiosk Software for Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices

Implementing kiosk Mode on Windows devices offers you a range of benefits: 

1. Ensured security 

Kiosk mode ensures Windows device security, allowing you to deploy them in public-facing environments. It secures point-of-sale systems, public access terminals, and other devices that need to be protected from unauthorized access. 

Similarly, you can restrict users’ access to specific applications, websites, or device settings. This minimizes the risk of exposure to sensitive information while maintaining compliance with industry regulations such as HIPAA  and GDPR. 

2.  User productivity

In business environments, Kiosk Mode can significantly enhance user productivity by offering streamlined access to essential tools and applications, eliminating the need to navigate the full Windows desktop. 

This focused approach allows users to quickly engage with the specific applications they require, minimizing distractions and reducing the time spent on unnecessary tasks. As a result, employees can work more efficiently, leading to improved performance and a more productive workplace.

3. Increased operational efficiency 

Applying kiosk mode to Windows devices increases efficiency by restricting access to specific applications or websites. Users can quickly navigate tasks without the confusion of unrelated options. This focused environment accelerates workflow, ensuring that users can complete their tasks with efficiency and consume less time.  

Moreover, as you restrict access to the Windows desktop and other system settings, there is less chance of users unintentionally making changes or causing system errors. This reduces the need for device maintenance and troubleshooting.

4. Enhanced customer service  

Deploying Windows devices in kiosk mode offers customers a smooth and focused user experience based on their needs. For instance, in a retail setting, kiosks can facilitate a self-service shopping experience, allowing customers to browse products and make purchases independently, without staff assistance. 

With access to dedicated applications or websites, users can interact directly with the applications they need, free from distractions. This enhances customer engagement and streamlines the purchasing process. 

5. Versatility 

Windows Kiosk Mode is adaptable and applicable across various industries and settings. It is commonly utilized in retail for self-service kiosks, in museums for interactive displays, and in enterprises for dedicated task-specific workstations.

Pre-requisites for Windows 10 and Windows 11 Kiosk Mode

Before setting up Kiosk Mode, it’s essential to understand the types of Windows applications:

Application requirements

• System administrators must have complete clarity of the type of applications that will be running on the system, whether it is UWP or a win32 application.
• The device must have at least one Windows device where the device application is installed to create the device profile.
• Only Browser or Win32 applications can be set in Single App/Kiosk mode for Windows Home (10 & 11) devices.

Universal Windows Platform (UWP) Apps:

• These are modern applications built to run on any Windows OS/platform.
• They are pre-installed with Windows 10 or from the Windows 10 Store.
• For setting up UWP applications, you would require the application-ID of the UWP app.

Win32 Applications:

• These are traditional Windows applications installed via an installer package with a “.exe” file.
• For setting up win32 applications the installation path of the “.exe” file needs to be copied post-installation for use with Scalefusion.

Windows OS Requirements

• Following are the operating systems that would be most suitable for running Kiosk modes Windows OS 7, 8.1, 10, 11 as well as 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.

How to set up kiosk mode on Windows devices?

Organizations can enable kiosk mode on Windows 10 and 11 devices  through the following two methods: 

Method 1: Using Windows Assigned Access

Windows Assigned Access is a feature in Windows operating systems that allows administrators to restrict a device to run a single application. To configure Kiosk Mode on Windows 10 devices follow these steps:

To configure Kiosk Mode on Windows 10 or Windows 11, follow these steps:

Step 1: Begin by creating a local standard user account using an Administrator account.

Step 2: Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows Key + I combination.

Step 3: Navigate to Accounts > Other Users and then select Set up assigned access.

Step 4: Choose the Standard user account you created in Step 1 by selecting Choose an Account.

Step 5: Next, click Choose an App and pick the app you want to restrict access to from the list of supported applications for Windows 10 or Windows 11 Kiosk Mode (also called Assigned Access).

Step 6: Restart the device and sign in with the Standard user account credentials to activate Kiosk Mode.

While Windows Assigned Access provides a simple way to configure Kiosk Mode, it has notable limitations. It only supports a single app at a time, which can be restrictive for more complex use cases. Additionally, it lacks the advanced security features and customization options often required for larger deployments. For organizations with more demanding needs, it is advisable to utilize comprehensive Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions like Scalefusion UEM.

Method 2: Using Scalefusion UEM

Scalefusion UEM offers a modern and secure way to apply Kiosk Mode to your Windows devices. Follow this step-by-step guide to set up Windows Kiosk Mode:

Step 1: Navigate to Device Profiles & Policies > Devices Profiles

Step 2: Click Create New Profile on the upper right corner of the screen

Step 3: Select the Windows tab; Enter a profile name; Click Submit

Step 4: Now, under Select Apps (on left menu), choose Multi-app Kiosk Mode

a) Configure policy mode – Select Windows MDM CSP

b) Add user info – Configure the user info

c) Select apps – Select the apps to enable on multi-app kiosk mode

Step 5: Click Create Profile on the upper right corner of the screen to finish

Step 6: Click Apply to push the multi-app kiosk profile to device groups/user groups/individual devices

Need for Windows 10 or Windows 11 kiosk software

Windows 10 or 11 kiosk software is essential for organizations needing to securely restrict devices to a single application or a set of applications. This is crucial in environments like retail, education, healthcare, and public services where devices are used for specific tasks.

Kiosk mode enhances security by limiting user access to the system, reduces maintenance costs by preventing unauthorized changes, and ensures consistent user experiences.
It’s particularly useful for digital signage, interactive kiosks, and customer-facing systems, providing a streamlined and secure way to deliver services and information.

Windows Kiosk Mode vs. Windows Assigned Access

Kiosk Mode offered by Scalefusion UEM provides organizations with advanced capabilities, while Windows Assigned Access offers a more basic implementation. Organizations should consider an optimum method of applying Kiosk Mode to their Windows devices that best meets their needs.

Get Scalefusion UEM to configure Windows kiosk mode

Scalefusion UEM’s kiosk Mode for Windows offers a robust solution to the limitations of traditional Windows Assigned Access. It provides enhanced security, advanced customization, and multi-app support, making it ideal for businesses needing versatile, secure, and scalable device management. 

With centralized control and the ability to configure Windows devices remotely, Scalefusion UEM is perfect for a variety of industries—from retail to education—ensuring that your public-facing and dedicated devices are secure and optimized.

Ready to transform your operations with Windows Kiosk Mode? Connect without product experts for a free demo and unlock Scalefusion’s Windows kiosk management features. Begin your 14-day free trial now!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References: 
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