Windows 11 does have some stringent installation requirements. However, it isn’t too difficult to install Windows 11 on an unsupported device. If you managed to pull it off, don’t celebrate just yet. You still need to get rid of the “System Requirements Not Met” watermark on your desktop that Microsoft introduced to deter installation on unsupported hardware. This guide lists three methods that will remove this watermark.
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1. Group Policy Editor
If you are using Windows Pro or Enterprise, and Group Policy Editor is enabled, this method is the easiest. Follow the instructions below to disable the watermark via Group Policy Editor.
In Windows Search, type “group policy,” and click on Edit group policy in the results. In Group Policy Editor, head to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System.
Scroll down in the right panel, and double-click Hide messages when Windows system requirements are not met. Then, click on Enabled -> OK to apply the changes.
2. Windows Registry Editor
If you don’t have access to Group Policy Editor, you can also edit Windows Registry to remove the watermark by following the steps below.
Warning: making incorrect edits in the Registry can corrupt programs and cause data loss. Make sure you back up the Windows Registry before making the edits.
Type “registry” in Windows Search, and click on Registry Editor. In Windows Registry, move to HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> Control Panel. Right-click on Control Panel, and select New -> Key.
Name this new key “UnsupportedHardwareNotificationCache.”
Select this key, right-click on the empty space in the right panel, and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name this entry “SV2,” double-click on it, and change its value to 0. If the UnsupportedHardwareNotificationCache entry already exists, just change the SV2 value.
Note: if your Windows 11 is still on the 21H2 version, you need to name the entry “SV1” instead, and set the value to 0.
3. Script
If you are not comfortable with editing the Registry, use a third-party tool to do it for you. A tiny script will remove the “System Requirements Not Met” watermark. Although it’s part of an all-in-one Windows tweaks tool, I am linking the standalone script here.
Download and unzip the folder, and you’ll find two scripts. Run both and accept the prompts to make the changes in the Registry. Make sure you first run System Requirements Not Met Watermark – ADD, then run System Requirements Not Met Watermark – REMOVE, in that order.
The first one will add the required entries, and the second will set the value to 0 to remove the watermark.
For all of the above methods, you’ll need to restart the PC to see the changes take effect. It’s worth mentioning that the watermark doesn’t affect Windows functionality in any way. It’s just an annoyance to remind and encourage you to upgrade, similar to the Windows activation watermark.
Image credit: all images and screenshots by Karrar Haider.
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Karrar Haider –
Contributor
Karrar is drenched in technology and always fiddles with new tech opportunities. He has a bad habit of calling technology “Killer”, and doesn’t feel bad about spending too much time in front of the PC. If he is not writing about technology, you will find him spending quality time with his little family.
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