Forum Discussion
Remove watermark from Windows 11 Insider Preview 22581.1 (ni_release) update
After installing Windows 11 Insider Preview 22581.1 (ni_release) update, a watermark is appearing on the desktop. How do I get rid of it? This is actually very annoying!!
- It never has in previous builds from the Beta channel if you have a legitimate copy there should be no watermark DEV channel in development if the update has these issues also freezing of the taskbar icons it should never have been released to the BETA channel it's obviously a DEV version
- Near182Copper ContributorSame issue here. Tried to tweak on Regedit "PaintDesktopVersion", didn't work. It was already in 0. Maybe the release somehow ignored that config and just showed the version anyway... Oh Well, waiting for some fix too. This is really annoying
- YvesArtCopper Contributor
That worked for a fix until Microsoft fix the issue, I had a system image done yesterday and rolled back to it, and opted out of preview build. That worked for my laptop yesterday, and I am rolling my desktop as we speak. The previous preview used to be good with no issues before.
- YvesArtCopper Contributor
Same issu here, luky I had a system image done yesterday and rolled out of insider preview build, since the update are no longer quality update. That worked for my laptop yesterday, an I am rolling my desktop as we speek. This is new, I am guessing that wind does no longer want me in the preview build. To bad. It used to be good with no issues before. Yea the fix worked for me.
- john886600Brass ContributorI have left Insider because of this issue I have been told by support that they are working on a fix to get rid of the watermark and unfreeze systray icons so you can again move them around the update was a DEV update made available to BETA which really defeated the purpose of the two channels if I had wanted a development update I would have joined the DEV channel not the BETA
- abbodi1406Steel ContributorIt's an evaluation (timebomed) build with expiration date
why do you expect the watermark not to appear?- YvesArtCopper Contributor
abbodi1406 I personally feel it would have been nice, if instead, it would have been the usual box that each user can have the freedom to close or not, instead of a permanent disruptive watermark.
- Windows11NeedsFixesCopper ContributorI'm personally shocked this watermark is still present. I don't understand why Microsoft has so many issues executing basic things.
- john886600Brass ContributorIt never has in previous builds from the Beta channel if you have a legitimate copy there should be no watermark DEV channel in development if the update has these issues also freezing of the taskbar icons it should never have been released to the BETA channel it's obviously a DEV version
- john886600Brass ContributorIt's a DEV update that was made available to the BETA channel Whats the point of having the 2 channels
- abbodi1406Steel ContributorThe build being in BETA channel doesn't change its expiration/evaluation status
of course you can discuss Microsoft choice to push it to BETA channel
but removing the watermark will not make it a final non-expirable build
- IRM123Copper ContributorDid you solve the problem? I have the same
- YvesArtCopper ContributorI Solved my problem with rolling back to my previous window with a system image that I had done just before and rolled out of insider preview build since the updates are no longer quality updates. That worked for my laptop yesterday, and I am rolling my desktop as we speak and it worked, it tokes the watermark away and got back to where I was before getting this update. Ouf
- IRM123Copper Contributor
Did you solve the problem? I have the same
- john886600Brass Contributor
No Microsoft support has said there should be a fix in the next build to resolve the issue do not use UWD as suggested on some sites as it renders your file explorer inoperable.
- Little_JoeBronze Contributor
- john886600Brass ContributorThese builds should never have been put in the Beta channel they are far from quality builds
- YvesArtCopper ContributorI agree john886600 I did not sign upi for these release.
- YvesArtCopper ContributorWell you can keep them from now on. It is is not acceptable. What changed at Microsoft to come up with this decision? I don't see what the use of having an anoying billboard announcement right on the desktop. Who came up with this change?
- YvesArtCopper Contributor
I did not sign up for this release. Why did they invade my computer? I only signed up for quality updates. Why did this happen suddenly? What is the reason after so many years to change the overall delivery of the quality update? It never happened for the past five years I am with preview build update? We wasted so much time trying to fix this when my Windows 11 is fully registered. I never sign up for this sudden change. I never asked for these previous updates with a watermark, it is a bad move.
- ProAdmin1Copper Contributor
Final straw on Insider. I'm opting out. Sorry Microsoft, but you aren't managing this in a way compatible with how businesses operate. I have Beta selected for my personal systems, and Dev for my lab systems. Yet you shove a questionable Beta release (with Realtek audio issues) to all my systems. Fortunately I have resisted teh urge to enable Insider on my laptop, so I still had a stable system to work from. As a remote IT professional, I kind of need some reasonable stability which is what my personal office systems were signed up for Beta, not Dev.
As I said, final straw... I like to help, but I have a business to run and you wasted hours of my time trying to fix a problem that you caused that should never have happened in the first place.
- GRadocchioCopper ContributorIf it wasn't annoying enough to have MS put this watermark on my main screen it has put them on both of my small USB monitors also! And after waking from sleep this AM I have a stack of two watermarks on my main screen!
- john886600Brass ContributorIn my case it also froze the systray icons so you can't move them anymore
- john886600Brass ContributorWhen is MS going to fix this debacle or is this the new Insider program if it is it sucks
- KoltronCopper Contributortry using a third party wallpaper service like wallpaper engine. got rid of the ulgy water mark for me.
- plokertCopper ContributorThere is a youtube video on how to fix this. It requires some downloading and running of a program but it worked for me. I found out that, since windows 11 is not complete yet, everyone is subject to that watermark until the official release. However, I just reinstalled the current full version of windows 11 and it doesn't (yet) give me that watermark.
- BigBangTheoryCopper ContributorAre you talking about the insider preview version of Windows 11?
- plokertCopper ContributorI now have Windows 11 Pro, Version 21H2.
- john886600Brass ContributorThe software they talk about when executed cripples file explorer
- GRadocchioCopper ContributorYes, I think the best path at this point is to live with it until the next (or final) release..
- john886600Brass ContributorThe software app makes file explorer inoperable and will no longer open