Desktop watermark in preview Windows 11 builds doesn't mean your license is invalid

Windows 11 is getting closer to its first feature update, which should bring some much-needed improvements and features. Version 22H2 is now available in the Beta channel, with Microsoft delivering a more stable build with fewer bugs. This means more users are ready to jump from stable to preview.

Inexperienced users and newbies to the Windows Insider program may be confused by an unexpected side effect: a permanent desktop watermark. Don't panic. These watermarks do not mean that your Windows license is invalid.

#Modern Windows versions sometimes display a persistent message on the desktop with an important notification. For example, disabling signature enforcement will cause your system to display a "Test Mode" message in the lower right corner. Additionally, Microsoft is using desktop watermarks to notify users of older hardware that their computers do not meet the minimum hardware requirements to run Windows 11. Finally, copies of Windows without a valid license key will display a reminder to activate the operating system.

In the release notes for the latest build 22593 - now available in beta and development builds - Microsoft clarifies that earlier Windows versions in the Insider program will not change your device's permissions. To make sure your copy of Windows is still active, do the following:

1. Press Win I to open the Settings app.
2. Go to System > Activate .
3. Click Activation Status to view the license details.

#It’s also worth noting that the Windows Insider program is not a loophole to get a free copy of Windows. You still need a valid activation key to keep your system running without interruption.

Finally, Microsoft, please note that you cannot use preview versions of Windows indefinitely. Unlike stable releases, earlier Windows versions in the Dev, Beta, and Release Preview channels have expiration dates, which means that sooner or later you'll need to update to a newer or stable version.

Installing a preview version of Windows 11 will not destroy your license key. Still, you need to watch out for bugs that Microsoft hasn't fixed yet. If you're not ready for potential software issues or instability, it's best to stick with stable releases and wait for Microsoft to release the first feature updates for Windows 11 in the coming months.

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