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MarkF26's avatar
MarkF26
Brass Contributor
Aug 24, 2022

"Activate Windows" Watermark has Appeared on Windows 10 Enterprise for Virtual Desktops SessionHost

After several months of using a SessionHost, the "Activate Windows" watermark has appeared on the desktop. The Activation selection in the Settings windows shows the following:                     ...
Redsman13's avatar
Redsman13
Copper Contributor
Oct 12, 2022

MarkF26 

 

Hi Mark,

I raised a call with Microsoft Support on the 28th September for the same issue. Following a troubleshooting session, the engineer advised that there is an ongoing investigation into this issue but currently no ETA on the fix.

 

Details are below from the engineer:

 

"I have found that your behavior matches with an ongoing investigation:

• Windows 10 AVD
• Platform image: Windows 10 Enterprise for Virtual Desktops-10.0.19044.2006
• Showing intermittent watermark: Activate Windows
• Slmgr shows that the VM is licensed with Partial product key: GVLK
• Issue seems to be happening with users with lower permissions, not been able to be detected with users that are part of the Local Admins group

At this moment, there is no ETA about providing results of the ongoing investigation nor a fix.

Once the fix is released, the same will be shipped as part of an update. This can be either a preview update or as well in a cumulative one after patch tuesday."

 

Hope this helps,

 

Phil

  • KevHal's avatar
    KevHal
    Iron Contributor
    Oct 13, 2022
    Hi,

    I've been working with Microsoft, been playing with applying keys, enabling and disabling test signing. They keep feeding back to the AVD product group but doesn't look like they can find a solution to this issue. These users are pretty restricted so your thought on a permission issue somewhere could be correct.

    Thanks.

    Kevin
    • USNOOZEYULOOSEY's avatar
      USNOOZEYULOOSEY
      Copper Contributor
      Oct 19, 2022

      KevHalWe have the same issue with a Nerdio Scale set. We have observed this issue for 2 weeks now and the common theme is only for the 1st user of the AVD will have this watermark, for some of the AVD. The subsequent 4 users (as we have total of 5 users per AVD) do not have any water mark. We have checked and also have each user activated. I look forward to an update for this from MS.

      • virtualmanc's avatar
        virtualmanc
        Iron Contributor
        Oct 19, 2022

        USNOOZEYULOOSEY KevHal Hi chaps, I work for Nerdio and I worked with a few customers who were having this issue. What we did to get around the issue is just to force the re-activation. We just used the Nerdio scripted actions to run Slmgr.vbs /ato against the host pool and that fixed it. 

         

        However, that's a workaround, not a fix. But it stops the problem until Microsoft can fix the issue. 

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