How to Hide Activate Windows Watermark on Windows 11: Easy Guide

By / September 13, 2025

If you’ve recently installed Windows 11 and haven’t activated it yet, you’ve probably noticed the small but annoying “Activate Windows – Go to Settings to activate Windows” watermark in the bottom-right corner of your screen. It’s not harmful, but it can be distracting — especially when you’re working, gaming, or watching movies.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to hide the Activate Windows watermark on Windows 11 safely. We’ll explain why it appears, whether it’s safe to remove, and step-by-step ways to hide it (with and without activation).

What Is the “Activate Windows” Watermark?

The Activate Windows watermark is a reminder from Microsoft that your Windows installation isn’t activated. You might see it if:

  • You installed Windows without a product key.

  • Your license expired or became invalid.

  • You replaced major hardware like your motherboard, causing Windows to deactivate.

It doesn’t stop you from using Windows, but you lose some personalization options (like changing your wallpaper) until activation.

Is It Safe to Hide the Watermark?

Yes — hiding the watermark doesn’t harm your PC or delete your data. However:

  • It won’t activate Windows — it just hides the visual reminder.

  • Some personalization features will still be restricted until you activate.

  • You should eventually activate Windows to get full features and security updates.

Why You Might Want to Hide It

  • Distraction-Free Experience – No more text overlay during work, presentations, or gaming.

  • Professional Look – Clean screen during video calls or screen recordings.

  • Temporary Fix – Useful while waiting to buy a license key.

Method 1: Using Registry Editor (Regedit)

This is the most common method to hide the watermark.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

  2. Type regedit and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.

  3. Navigate to this path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

  1. Look for the value named PaintDesktopVersion.

    • If you don’t see it, right-click on the right panel → New > DWORD (32-bit) Value → name it PaintDesktopVersion.

  2. Double-click it and change its value to 0.

  3. Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.

This should remove the watermark after reboot.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt (CMD)

You can also do it quickly with a command.

Steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

    • Press Windows + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.

  2. Copy and paste this command:

reg add "HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop" /v PaintDesktopVersion /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

  1. Press Enter, then restart your PC.

This does the same thing as Method 1 but faster.

Method 3: Using a Third-Party Utility

Some free tools like Universal Watermark Disabler can hide watermarks.

Steps:

  1. Download Universal Watermark Disabler from a trusted source.

  2. Run the installer and follow on-screen instructions.

  3. Restart your PC when prompted.

⚠ Caution: Always download software from official or trusted sites to avoid malware.

Method 4: Temporarily Activating Windows with Troubleshooter

If you previously had Windows activated, you might be able to re-activate it.

Steps:

  1. Go to Settings → System → Activation.

  2. Click Troubleshoot.

  3. Follow on-screen prompts — Windows will try to re-activate itself using a digital license.

This is a legitimate way to remove the watermark if you have a valid license linked to your Microsoft account.

Method 5: Buying or Entering a Product Key

The permanent solution is to activate Windows.

  1. Open Settings → System → Activation.

  2. Click Change Product Key.

  3. Enter a valid key and activate.

This removes the watermark for good and unlocks all features.

Troubleshooting: If Watermark Still Shows

  • Restart your PC after making changes.

  • Double-check the registry value is set to 0.

  • Make sure you’re logged in with the same user account you edited the registry for.

  • Run Windows Update to ensure no activation-related bugs.

Tips for a Clean and Safe Setup

  • Always back up your registry before making changes.

  • Avoid pirated activators — they can harm your PC or install malware.

  • If you frequently reinstall Windows, link your digital license to your Microsoft account to avoid future activation issues.

Benefits of Activating Windows Instead of Hiding the Watermark

  • Full access to personalization features (wallpapers, themes, colors).

  • No recurring watermark after updates.

  • Official support and updates from Microsoft.

  • Better security and stability.

Conclusion

The Activate Windows watermark isn’t harmful, but it can be distracting. Luckily, Windows 11 gives you several ways to hide it — from registry tweaks to using simple commands.

But remember, these are mostly temporary fixes. The best long-term solution is activating Windows with a valid license to enjoy full functionality and a clean, professional desktop.

FAQs

Q1: Will hiding the watermark activate Windows?
No, it only hides the visual reminder — your Windows will still be unactivated.

Q2: Is it legal to hide the Activate Windows watermark?
Yes, hiding it is safe and legal, but you should eventually activate Windows for full features.

Q3: Do I need to repeat the steps after Windows updates?
Sometimes yes — major updates may bring the watermark back. You can repeat the steps to hide it again.

Q4: Can I use free product keys from the internet?
It’s not recommended — they may be illegal or unsafe. Always use genuine keys.

Q5: Will hiding the watermark improve performance?
No, this is just a visual change. Your PC’s performance remains the same.

Related Posts:

Scroll to Top