How to remove the Windows 7 Watermark
Microsoft imprints their evaluation and testing versions of Windows 7 with a Watermark like the one below:
It’s a minor detail that only exists in the pre-release versions of Windows 7, but some don’t like it there. Personally, I think it sucks to have it say “For testing purposes only” when you want to show off your Windows 7 installation to your friends.
Getting rid of the watermark is simple. There is a manual way to do it, which involves modifying a system file. But lhjhyc from PCBeta has provided a patch that can remove the watermark automatically. The documentation is in Chinese, so I will explain it in English here.
Warning: Some users have reported some slight stability issues after implementing this tweak. You may or may not want to implement this tweak. (Personally, I have experienced no stability or OS issue other than not being able to run MSN in Compatibility Mode)
How-To:
- Download the patch here
(Use this patch if you are on Build 7048 or newer) - The documentation asks you to disable UAC. I managed to run the patch with UAC at its highest level for some reason. If you want to know how to disable UAC, you can access your UAC settings by typing UAC in the Start menu Search.
- Once you’re at the UAC settings window, drag the slider all the way to the bottom. You’ll have to reboot for changes to take effect.
- Once you’ve rebooted, extract the RAR’s contents and open the extracted folder. Right click the appropriate file, and choose Run as Administrator.
If you are on a 32-bit version of Windows 7, run RemoveWatermarkX86.exe
If you are on a 64-bit version, run RemoveWatermarkX64.exeThe program will make some changes to your user32.dll file and create a backup of the previous file.
- You will have to reboot again for changes to take effect.
If something goes wrong, it says in the documentation that you can always restore your user32.dll since a backup was created earlier.
Other than disabling UAC and two restarts, the procedure should be very simple. The patch also works for getting rid of XP and Vista watermarks.
Related posts:
Tags: remove watermark, remove windows 7 watermark, windows 7, windows 7 watermark
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23 Responses to “How to remove the Windows 7 Watermark”
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Have read on several other windows 7 forums and sites that this “fix” may cause some unexpected errors in the OS further on so use with care.
Dude in the picture you used to show how to find uac you are using some other windows with 7 theme
Lol,
if someone posts a tip on removing the watermark, helping others in the progress (which judging from your remark, you don’t really care much for), there must always be some people to question the sincerity..
sad
On the bright side: Al, thanks for this ! Finally show-off really can start
Sincerely,
Ashtor
Right click on taskbar->properties->Never combine or combine when full.. So it is on win7
No, he just has “show small icons” and “never combine taskbar buttons” enabled.
Thanks, worked like a charm.
Cool!! It Works
hmm will the effects be fatal on your computer?
There was a new patch made. The link will take you there. I did not hear any issues with the latest patch, but like all patches, they should be used with discretion
Anyone else worried about the possibility of an embedded rootkit in these “patches”?
[...] Here is the link to the page I pulled it from. http://windows7center.com/windows-7-…s-7-watermark/ Note: This is for Build 7048 or newer. Works like a charm! __________________ Crysis [...]
hmm will the effects be fatal on your computer?
thanks for this article
No, I actually updated the watermark remover and this one seems a lot stabler
Didn’t work for Build 7100…
How to remove the Windows 7 Watermark | Windows 7 Center great article thank you.
i got a problem on my twilight movie it has a watermark on the 8 chapters,do you know how to get it off so i can watch the movie.
thank-you
from colleen.c
[...] you’ve applied the Windows 7 Beta watermark patch, this tutorial may not work for [...]
help i bought a cd from this guy that contained windows 7 ultimate and it game no key code how to i restore my windows xp I HAVE NO INTERNET MY ETHERNET DRIVER DOESENT WORK
EMAIL ME AT jonathanestrada19@gmail.com if you can help me!!!!!
Didn’t work for Build 7100…
Travis, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:
Your user account may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else’s post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.
someone help
This is an obvious virus, he is telling you to disable User Account Control and put your security to minimum meaning that your computer wont tell you its a virus and it dosent ask you if you want to allow it to do w/e.
[...] pobre un patch q yo tenia NADA:.. probe los de xhyper NADA… me meti en esta pagina How to remove the Windows 7 Watermark | Windows 7 Center y lo unico q me quito fue cuando dice "windows 7 build 7600" ahora solo me dice [...]