How to Remove Activate Windows Watermark in Windows 11: A Guide

By / September 24, 2025

Quick Summary (Key Takeaways)

  • The “Activate Windows” watermark appears when Windows 11 isn’t properly activated.

  • You can remove it temporarily using Registry tweaks, Command Prompt commands, or third-party tools, but the permanent solution is to activate Windows with a genuine product key.

  • This guide covers both legal activation methods and temporary workarounds to hide the watermark.

  • For the best experience and full Windows 11 features, activation is strongly recommended.

Why Does the “Activate Windows” Watermark Appear?

If you’re seeing a grey message in the bottom-right corner of your screen saying:

“Activate Windows. Go to Settings to activate Windows.”

— you’re not alone. This watermark shows up when your Windows 11 installation is not activated. It can happen if:

  • You upgraded from Windows 10 without a valid license.

  • You installed Windows 11 without entering a product key.

  • Your digital license couldn’t be verified.

The watermark doesn’t stop you from using your PC, but it can be distracting and limits personalization features like changing wallpapers and themes.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to remove the Activate Windows watermark in Windows 11 using both temporary tricks and permanent solutions.

Method 1: Permanently Remove the Watermark by Activating Windows

The official and most reliable way is to activate Windows 11 with a valid license key.

Steps to Activate Windows 11

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.

  2. Navigate to System → Activation.

  3. Click Change product key.

  4. Enter a valid Windows 11 product key.

  5. Click Next → Activate.

Once done, the watermark will disappear permanently.

💡 Tip: If you had Windows 10 activated on the same machine, Windows 11 should auto-activate via digital license. Make sure you’re signed in with the same Microsoft account.

Method 2: Remove Activate Windows Watermark Using Command Prompt

You can temporarily disable the watermark using a quick command.

Steps:

  1. Press Win + S, type cmd, right-click, and choose Run as administrator.

  2. Enter the following command:

slmgr /renew

  1. Restart your PC.

This method resets the activation notification temporarily.

Method 3: Registry Editor Tweak

⚠️ Warning: Editing the Registry incorrectly can cause system issues. Proceed with caution.

Steps:

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.

  2. Navigate to:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

  3. Find the entry PaintDesktopVersion.

  4. Double-click it and change the value from 1 to 0.

  5. Restart your PC.

This will hide the watermark (though it doesn’t activate Windows).

Method 4: Use a Third-Party Watermark Remover Tool

Some free utilities can hide the watermark without touching system files. Popular tools include:

  • Universal Watermark Disabler

  • My WCP Watermark Editor

These tools remove the overlay text, but remember — they don’t activate Windows.

Method 5: Change Ease of Access Settings (Quick Trick)

This trick won’t always work, but it can sometimes hide the watermark.

Steps:

  1. Right-click desktop → Display settings.

  2. Go to Accessibility → Visual effects.

  3. Toggle Transparency effects OFF.

Some users report this hides the watermark temporarily.

Why You Should Activate Windows 11 Instead of Hiding the Watermark

While the above tricks remove the “Activate Windows” message, they don’t unlock full functionality. With unactivated Windows 11:

  • You can’t change wallpapers, colors, or themes.

  • Some updates may be restricted.

  • Your system might show recurring activation notifications.

By activating Windows, you ensure:

  • Full personalization features.

  • Security updates without restrictions.

  • No risk of the watermark reappearing.

Comparing Methods to Remove the Watermark

Method Permanent? Difficulty Safety
Activation with product key ✅ Yes Easy 100% Safe
Command Prompt ❌ Temporary Easy Safe
Registry Editor ❌ Temporary Medium Risky if misused
Third-party tools ❌ Temporary Easy Medium risk
Ease of Access settings ❌ Temporary Very Easy Safe

Conclusion

The best way to remove the Activate Windows watermark in Windows 11 is to activate your copy with a genuine license key. However, if you’re just looking for a temporary solution, you can use Command Prompt, Registry tweaks, or third-party watermark removers.

👉 Our advice? Invest in a valid Windows license. Not only will you get rid of the watermark, but you’ll also unlock the full power of Windows 11.

FAQs About Removing Activate Windows Watermark in Windows 11

1. Is it legal to remove the watermark without activating Windows?
No, hiding the watermark doesn’t mean you’ve legally activated Windows.

2. Can I still use Windows 11 without activation?
Yes, but with restrictions like limited personalization options and the persistent watermark.

3. Does Windows 11 run slower if not activated?
No, performance is the same, but some features are locked.

4. Will a Windows 10 key work on Windows 11?
Yes, in many cases, a valid Windows 10 key can activate Windows 11.

5. Which method is the safest?
Activating Windows with a genuine product key is the only permanent and safe method.

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