How to Remove the "Activate Windows 10" Watermark from Your Screen

If the "Activate Windows 10" watermark has appeared on your screen, it means the operating system hasn’t been activated. This message overlays all windows and can be quite intrusive. In this guide, we’ll explore several ways to remove this watermark, though keep in mind that the most effective and legal solution is to activate Windows using a genuine license key.

Method 1: Activate Windows with a License Key

The most reliable and legal way to remove the watermark is to activate Windows using a license key. If you already have an activation key, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
2. Click on Change product key and enter your key.
3. Click Next and wait for the activation process to complete.

Once Windows is activated, the watermark will disappear.

Method 2: Using the Command Prompt

If you want to temporarily remove the watermark without activating Windows, you can use the Command Prompt:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator (right-click on the Command Prompt icon and select Run as administrator).
2. Type the command: slmgr /renew and press Enter.
3. Next, type slmgr /rearm and press Enter again.
4. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

This method may temporarily remove the watermark, but it could reappear after a few days if Windows is not activated.

Method 3: Edit the Registry

Another option is to temporarily disable the watermark through the registry. Warning: Modifying the registry can cause system instability, so it’s recommended to back up your registry before making any changes.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform\Activation.
3. Find the parameter Manual, double-click it, and set the value to 1.
4. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

This method may also only temporarily remove the watermark.