How Do I Remove Watermark from Windows 11?

You can remove certain watermarks, such as the common "Activate Windows" watermark, from Windows 11 by making a simple modification in the Registry Editor. This method involves changing a specific DWORD value from 1 to 0 and then restarting your computer.

Understanding the Windows 11 Watermark

Watermarks on Windows 11 typically appear when your operating system is not activated, indicating that you need to purchase and apply a product key. These watermarks can obscure parts of your screen and sometimes limit certain personalization features. The method described below specifically targets this type of activation watermark.

Steps to Remove the "Activate Windows" Watermark

Follow these detailed instructions to modify your Windows Registry and remove the watermark:

1. Open Registry Editor

To begin, you need to access the Windows Registry Editor:

• Type "Regedit" into the Windows 11 search box (which you can access by clicking the search icon on your taskbar or pressing Win + S).
• Select "Registry Editor" from the search results. You might be prompted by User Account Control (UAC); click "Yes" to allow it to make changes to your device.

2. Navigate to the Correct Registry Key

Once the Registry Editor is open, you will see a tree-like structure on the left-hand side. You need to navigate to the specific location where the watermark setting is stored:

• On the left-hand pane, expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER.
• Scroll down and expand Control Panel.
• Under Control Panel, locate and select the UnsupportedHardwareNotificationCache subkey. (Note: The provided reference mentioned Control Panel directly but didn't specify the exact subkey that contains the SV2 DWORD. Based on common knowledge for this specific watermark, the key is usually UnsupportedHardwareNotificationCache).

3. Modify the SV2 DWORD Value

Within the UnsupportedHardwareNotificationCache key, you will find several values on the right-hand pane.

• Locate the SV2 DWORD entry.
• Right-click on SV2 DWORD.
• From the context menu, select "Modify".

4. Change the Value Data

A small "Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value" window will appear.

• In the "Value data:" field, change the existing value from 1 to 0.

  • Original Value: 1 (Watermark is visible)
  • New Value: 0 (Watermark will be hidden)

  Here's a quick reference table:

  Setting	Original Value	New Value	Effect
  SV2 DWORD	1	0	Hides the watermark

5. Save and Restart Your PC

After changing the value:

• Click "OK" to save the change.
• Close the Registry Editor.
• Restart your PC for the changes to take effect. The "Activate Windows" watermark should no longer be visible after the restart.

Important Considerations

• Backup Your Registry: Before making any changes to the Registry Editor, it is always recommended to back up your registry. An incorrect modification can lead to system instability. You can back up the registry by going to File > Export in the Registry Editor before making changes.
• Activation Status: While this method removes the visual watermark, it does not activate your copy of Windows 11. Your system will still be in an unactivated state, which may eventually lead to limitations on personalization features or other functionalities. It is always recommended to activate your Windows license for full functionality and security updates.
• Other Watermarks: This specific method is primarily for the "Activate Windows" watermark. Other types of watermarks, such as those indicating a specific Windows Insider Preview build, may require different methods or might be intentionally present by Microsoft and cannot be easily removed.

This information is based on common methods observed around February 24, 2022.