Evaluation copy watermark after update (Build 22581.ini_release.220318- 1623)

Anonymous
2022-03-25T12:07:10+00:00

I noticed that after I've updated Windows to Build 22581.ini_release .220318- 1623, a watermark appeared on the desktop (Windows 11 Home Single Language. Evaluation copy. Build 22581.ini_release.220318- 1623). My question is can I remove this watermark or will it get removed in the next update. I know for a fact that Windows is activated and I've never gotten this before from the other updates.

Note: I'm on the Windows Insider Program (Beta)

Thank you.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update

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SD - IA 179.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2022-03-25T12:39:21+00:00

Hi Ayanda,
I am Sumit here to assist you with this question.

Insider Builds always have a watermark. This is by design and does not affect activation in any way.

The watermark was always there in Windows 10 Beta Builds. It was not there in Windows 11 Builds because it was essentially the same as stable channel 22000.

Rest assured no action is required from your end.

From the Windows Engineering Team:

Image

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-03-26T01:56:05+00:00

    Insider Builds always have a watermark.

    No, they don't. I've been on the beta ring for a year or more and have never seen one. Just saw one for the first time today. It's annoying. I can run winver if I need to see what version of Windows I have.

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  2. Pauli O 16,380 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2022-03-26T03:24:18+00:00

    That watermark is development builds which number is bigger than build number of released version.

    Beta has been without watermark because it has been in same main build number than released version.

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-03-26T04:09:20+00:00

    Same problem here. I am enrolled in the Beta program for Windows Insider and this watermark has never appeared. Why all of a sudden is there a watermark saying "evaluation copy" when I have a purchased copy of Windows from Dell. This needs to be fixed for people enrolled in "BETA" not "DEVELOPMENT" builds. We are not talking about DEV builds. This is on a BETA build. This should be fixed. It is really annoying lol.

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  4. Pauli O 16,380 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2022-03-26T04:20:09+00:00

    >"Same problem here. I am enrolled in the Beta program for Windows Insider and this watermark has never appeared. Why all of a sudden is there a watermark saying "evaluation copy" when I have a purchased copy of Windows from Dell."

    That watermark is part of previews under development and it has nothing to do with activation.

    Because Beta channel jump way ahead of released Windows 11 build 22000.xxx this watermark is there indicating that you are running build which is under development as told in blog:

    The desktop watermark you see at the lower right corner of your desktop is normal for these pre-release builds.

    Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22581 | Windows Insider Blog

    If you don't want to se that watermark then you have to rollback to (or clean install) Windows 11 build 22000.xxx.

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