How to Remove the "Evaluation Copy" Watermark on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

If you have recently installed Windows 11 and notice an "Evaluation copy" watermark on your desktop, don't worry. This is a common occurrence when using a pre-release version of Windows 11, and it can be easily removed.

Here are a few steps you can follow to remove the "Evaluation copy" watermark from your Windows 11 desktop:

Method 1:

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

To open the Registry Editor, press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type "regedit" in the box and click "OK" to open the Registry Editor.

Step 2: Navigate to the correct registry key

In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform

Step 3: Modify the SkipRearm value

In the right-hand pane of the Registry Editor, double-click the "SkipRearm" value to modify it. Change the value data from "0" to "1" and click "OK" to save the change.

Step 4: Restart your computer

After making this change, you will need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Once your computer has restarted, the "Evaluation copy" watermark should be removed from your Windows 11 desktop.

Method 2:

One solution to this issue is to use a third-party tool such as Universal Watermark Disabler to remove the watermark from your Windows 11 desktop.

Universal Watermark Disabler is a free utility that allows you to remove watermarks from your Windows desktop. Here are the steps you can follow to use this tool to remove the "Evaluation copy" watermark from your Windows 11 desktop:

Step 1: Download and install Universal Watermark Disabler

You can download Universal Watermark Disabler from the official website at https://winaero.com/downloads/uwd.zip. Once downloaded, extract the ZIP file and run the installer.

Step 2: Run Universal Watermark Disabler

After installation, run Universal Watermark Disabler by double-clicking the desktop icon or finding it in your Start menu.

Step 3: Click "Install"

In the Universal Watermark Disabler interface, click "Install" to remove the watermark from your desktop.

Step 4: Restart your computer

After removing the watermark, you will need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Once your computer has restarted, the "Evaluation copy" watermark should be removed from your Windows 11 desktop.

It's important to note that using third-party tools such as Universal Watermark Disabler carries some risk. These tools can modify system files and potentially cause issues with your computer. Always use caution when downloading and using third-party software.

In conclusion, Universal Watermark Disabler is a free and easy-to-use tool that can remove the "Evaluation copy" watermark from your Windows 11 desktop. While using third-party software carries some risk, many users have found this tool to be effective in removing the watermark.

It's worth noting that removing the "Evaluation copy" watermark does not mean that you have activated your copy of Windows 11. To fully activate your copy of Windows 11 and receive updates, you will need to purchase a license key from Microsoft or your preferred retailer.

Conclusion

Removing the "Evaluation copy" watermark from your Windows 11 desktop is a simple process that can be done through the Registry Editor. However, it's important to note that this does not fully activate your copy of Windows 11, and you will need to purchase a license key to do so.