How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

This article discusses possible reasons for transparent Activate Windows watermark and how to remove Activate Windows watermark in Windows 10:

Being the most popular and user-friendly operating system, Windows holds the largest user base worldwide, and it provides its users with various exemplary services which are in great demand. Over the years, its usage has surpassed all other operating systems available in the market. Windows provides its users with a license which makes the usage much more credible and authentic.

In this article, we will discuss an issue called the “Activate Windows” watermark, which occurs because of the over usage of the same product key and because of various other reasons too. We will talk about this error and will also discuss how to get rid of Activate Windows watermark.

What You Will Learn:

  • Activate Windows Watermark
    • Reasons Behind Activate Windows Watermark
    • Why Get Rid Of Activate Windows Watermark
  • Ways To Fix Activate Windows Watermark
    • Method 1: Using Product Key
    • Method 2: Using Ease of Access
    • Method 3: Disabling Windows 10 Tips
    • Method 4: Using Script
    • Method 5: Using Third-Party Tools
    • Method 6: Using Windows PowerShell
    • Method 7: Using Regedit
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Conclusion
    • Recommended Reading

Activate Windows Watermark

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

Activate Windows watermark is a common issue faced by the users while using Windows. In this issue, a transparent Watermark appears at the bottom of the desktop, and it is very annoying for the users to see this watermark on the screen while operating their system.

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

Reasons Behind Activate Windows Watermark

The reasons behind Activate Windows Watermark are:-

#1) Product Key and Version Incompatibility

This is the most common reason, and it occurs in the situation when the product key and the installed Windows are different. This can be understood as if the user possesses the product key for the Windows Professional and he/she installs Windows Enterprise on the system.

#2) Invalid License

Many people provide free unauthentic product keys online, but Microsoft opposes using Windows from the same product keys. Thus, licenses of such product keys are termed as invalid, and this watermark is available at the bottom right of the screen.

These were the two main reasons which are responsible for this watermark. In the below section, we will discuss how to get rid of Activate Windows Watermark.

Why Get Rid Of Activate Windows Watermark

The most important thing is why do you need to get rid of Activate Windows Watermark if it is only a watermark. The watermark, which is placed at the bottom right of the screen, is a source of distraction for most of the users. Also, the watermark signifies your Windows is not activated, and unactivated Windows does not have the following features:

  • Windows Defender/Security Features: The unactivated Windows does not offer the security firewall and Windows Defender safety.
  • Enable Microsoft Office to be Installed: You cannot install Microsoft office on unactivated Windows, and thus there are various other software that you can not use on unactivated Windows.
  • Install Security Updates: You cannot install the latest updates and bug fixes on the system to make it more efficient and useful if Windows is not activated.
  • Personalize Desktop: You cannot change the desktop settings, nor you can change the wallpaper if your Windows is not activated.

There are various other features lacking if you have unactivated Windows on your system.

Ways To Fix Activate Windows Watermark

There are various ways to fix Activate Windows Watermark, which involve changes in both internal and external files. Follow any of the methods mentioned below to remove activate Windows watermark:

Method 1: Using Product Key

Whenever a user purchases a licensed Windows, then he/she is provided with a product key that can be further used to re-install Windows into the system. By using this product key, the user can go to settings to activate Windows.

#1) Open Settings or press Windows + I from the keyboard and click on “Update & security” as shown in the image below.

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

#2) Click on “Activation” as shown in the image below and then click on “Change product key.”

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

#3) A dialog box will open. Enter the product key and click on “Next”.

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

Locate Windows 10 and install it on the system, restart the system and Activate Windows Watermark issue will be fixed.

Method 2: Using Ease of Access

Windows provides its users with a feature called the Ease of Access center, which allows the users to make necessary changes to the system wherever needed. But the user must have pre-requisite knowledge of the feature before using it.

Follow the steps mentioned below to know how to remove Activate Windows watermark:

#1) Open Settings or press ”Windows+I” from the keyboard and search for “Ease of Access Center” in the search bar, as shown in the image below.

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

#2) A dialog box will open. Click on “Make the computer easier to see”.

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

#3) Click on the checkbox titled “Remove background images (where available),” and then click on “Apply” and then on “OK” as shown in the image below.

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

After following the steps mentioned above, the Windows Activation Watermark will no longer trouble you.

Method 3: Disabling Windows 10 Tips

You can avoid this error by simply disabling the Windows 10 tips provided by the system. Follow the steps mentioned below to disable Windows 10 tips:

#1) Open Settings or press Windows +I from the keyboard, and a window will open as shown in the image below. Click on “System”.

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

#2) Now, click on “Notification & action” as shown in the image below and turn off the slider titled “Get tips, tricks and suggestions as you use Windows” and the one below it.

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

Now the system will deactivate the tips and tricks for Windows and fix this error.

Method 4: Using Script

The Windows Explorer is responsible for reminding the user about the Activation of the Windows watermark. By using a script and saving it in batch format, and running the file as Administrator, you can override this reminder. Follow the steps mentioned below to perform this task:

#1) Click on the Windows button and search for Notepad, as shown in the image below.

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

#2) Type the text written below in the file as shown in the image below.

“@echo off
taskkill /F /IM explorer.exe
explorer.exe
exit”

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

#3) Save the file as Active.bat and select the file as All Files, as shown in the image below.

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

#4) Locate the file and right-click on it; now click on “Run as Administrator” as shown in the image below.

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

Now Restart your system, and Activate Windows watermark issue will be fixed.

Method 5: Using Third-Party Tools

There are various third-party tools that you can use to fix this watermark issue. Follow the steps mentioned below to install the watermark disabler tool on your system:

=> Click here to install watermark disabler tool

Download the software from the link mentioned above and unzip the download file and install the exe file present in the zip folder. Now an installer window will open, as shown in the image below.

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

Install the software and restart the system, and the error will be resolved.

Method 6: Using Windows PowerShell

The Windows PowerShell will allow you to directly make changes in the core files of the system as it provides special access through all files. Follow the steps mentioned below to fix Activate Windows watermark using Windows PowerShell:

#1) Press the Windows button and search for Windows PowerShell. Right-click on “Windows PowerShell” and click on “Run as administrator” as shown in the image below.

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

#2) A window will open. Type “slmgr /renew”and press Enter.

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

Now Restart your system, and the issue will be fixed.

Method 7: Using Regedit

This method involves serious risk, so only a person with a good knowledge of the system personalization should try this method to remove activate Windows watermark. The method involves making changes in Regedit files which directly affects the core files of the system.

#1) Press Windows + R from the keyboard and type “regedit” in the search bar, and click on “OK,” as shown in the image below.

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

#2) Enter the mentioned address in the search bar HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop and navigate to “Desktop” as shown in the image below. Now, click on “Paint Desktop Version.”

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

#3) A dialog box will open. Change the value data to “1”.

How do I permanently activate Windows 10 without product key?

Restart the system and Activate the Windows Watermark issue will be fixed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q #1) What happens if Windows 10 is not activated?

Answer: If the user does not activate Windows 10, then he/she will not be able to make any changes in the system and hence won’t be able to personalize desktop, title bar, and other components on the screen.

Q #2) How long can you use Windows 10 unactivated?

Answer: A user can use Windows 10 for a month (30 days) without activating it.

Q #3) How do I know if my Windows is activated?

Answer: A user can easily check if the Windows on the system is activated or not by following the steps mentioned below.

  1. Open My PC.
  2. Right-click on the screen and click on “Properties”, a window will open. Check the label titled Windows Activation.

Q #4) Why is there an Activate Windows watermark?

Answer: There is an Activate Windows watermark to maintain the credibility of the Windows operating system and making sure that no one is able to exploit or pirate the software

Q #5) Is the Activate Windows watermark annoying?

Answer: It is not annoying for all, but for some users, it can be a bit annoying. It’s just a small transparent logo at the bottom of a desktop, but the most important thing is that you are unable to make changes in various settings and cannot personalize the settings as per your wish.

Q #6) How do I permanently remove activate Windows Watermark?

Answer: You can remove it very easily by simply disabling the tips and suggestions options in the Settings.

Q #7) How do I remove the Windows 10 activation watermark?

Answer: There are various ways that can help you to remove Windows 10 activation watermark.

  1. Making changes in the registry settings.
  2. Using Powershell.
  3. Using script.
  4. Using Ease of Access center

Recommended Reading =>>  HitPaw Watermark Remover tool

Conclusion

Windows can be used efficiently and in the best possible way if it is authentic and is activated on your system. Therefore, in this article, we have discussed an issue that arises while using unactivated Windows.

This issue is Activate Windows watermark which occurs at the bottom right of the screen when you use an unactivated Windows. In this article, we discussed various reasons for this issue and numerous ways with respect to how to get rid of Windows 10 watermark.

How can I activate my Windows 10 without product key?

If you have a digital license for your device, you can reinstall the same edition of Windows 10 on this device without entering a product key. Make sure that Windows 10 is activated before you try to reinstall it. To find out, select the Start button, and then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation .

Can I use Windows 10 forever without Activation?

Microsoft allows for the use of Microsoft 10 without activation. However, users will be required to activate the OS once the trial period expires. While failure to activate won't affect the PC or laptop running, it will limit some features. You can continue to use Windows 10 without activation.

What happens if Windows 10 is not activated?

When it comes to functionality, you won't be able to personalize the desktop background, window title bar, taskbar, and Start color, change the theme, customize Start, taskbar, and lock screen etc.. when not activating Windows. Additionally, you might periodically get messages asking to activate your copy of Windows.