How to Turn Off Windows Activation

PDF download Download Article
Easiest ways to make the “Activate Windows” watermark go away forever
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to temporarily remove the Windows activation notifications and watermark from an unactivated version of Windows. You can do this by changing a value in the Services menu, or by editing the Windows Registry . Keep in mind that the only way to permanently remove Windows activation notifications is by activating Windows.

How do you remove the activation watermark on Windows?

  1. Type "services" into the Start menu.
  2. Click the "Services" option that pops up with a gear icon.
  3. Click on the "Software Protection" option on the list.
  4. Hit the "Properties" option.
  5. Hit "Stop," followed by "OK."
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Services

PDF download Download Article
  1. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. The Start menu will open.
  2. Doing so searches for the Services app, which lets you control which system processes run.
    Advertisement
  3. It's a gear-shaped icon at the top of the Start window. The Services window will open.
  4. You'll find this service in the "S" section of the window.
    • On some computers, this will say sppsvc instead.
  5. It's the folder-shaped icon just below the View tab in the upper-left side of the window. A new window will open.
  6. This option is in the middle-left side of the window. Doing so will prompt the Software Protection service to stop running.
  7. It's at the bottom of the window. Your activation will remain off until you restart or update your computer, at which point you will need to disable it again.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Registry Editor

PDF download Download Article
  1. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  2. This will search for the Registry Editor command.
  3. It's a collection of blue blocks at the top of the Start window.
  4. Doing so will open the Registry Editor window.
  5. Click
    Android 7 Expand Right
    to the left of the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" folder in the top-left side of the Registry window.
    • If you see an indented column of folders below "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE", it's already expanded.
  6. It's near the bottom of the list of folders inside of the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" folder.
  8. This will result in a long list of folders appearing.
  9. Click this folder to prompt its contents to display on the right side of the window.
  10. It's near the bottom of the list of files that's on the right side of the window.
  11. This option is near the top-left corner of the Registry window. A drop-down menu will appear.
  12. It's at the top of the drop-down menu. A new window will open.
  13. This value change will disable the activation notifications.
  14. It's at the bottom of the window. Your activation will remain off until you restart or update your computer, at which point you will need to disable it again.
    15. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Activating Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  2. Click the gear-shaped icon in the left-hand side of the Start window.
  3. This circular arrow-shaped icon is at the bottom of the Settings window.
  4. It's a tab on the left side of the window.
  5. You can do this in one of two ways, depending on whether you have to buy a key or already upgraded for free on a different computer: [1]
    • Free Upgrade - Click Troubleshoot , enter your Microsoft email address and password if prompted, click Activate Windows , and click Activate when prompted.
    • Purchased Key - Click Go to store , click Buy below your preferred version of Windows, and enter your payment information.
  6. Click Start
    Windows Start
    , click Power
    Windows Power
    , and click Restart . Once your computer finishes restarting, your version of Windows should be activated.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I can't do the 5th step. The troubleshoot option is not shown and I can't find it anywhere.
    Community Answer
    If you are in the activation settings window, it should be on the bottom of the screen.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 108 Helpful 85
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • The paid version of Windows has significantly more options for customization than does the free trial version.
        Thanks
        Helpful 75 Not Helpful 75
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Avoid software that claims to disable permanently Windows activation notifications, as such programs are usually malware (and even if they aren't, they're highly illegal).
        Thanks
        Helpful 69 Not Helpful 82
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Remove Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications
      How to
      Take a Screenshot on a Windows PC: 8 Simple Tricks
      How to
      Check Your Windows Version
      How to
      Find Your Windows Product Key
      Easily Download and Install FFmpeg on a Windows PC
      How to
      Check Your Mouse DPI on Windows & Mac
      How to
      Start Windows in Safe Mode: 6 Easy Options
      5 Quick Ways to Change Your Desktop Wallpaper on Windows
      4 Easy Ways to Access the Boot Options Menu in Windows
      How to
      Access the BIOS on Any PC: Guide + Troubleshooting
      How to
      Disable BitLocker Encryption in Windows 10 and 11
      3 Easy Ways to Move a Full Screen Game to Another Monitor
      How to
      Automatically Shut Down Your Computer at a Specified Time
      2 Ways to Alter the Size of Your Windows Desktop Taskbar
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12440/windows-10-activation

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 844,006 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement