"Go to settings to activate windows" watermark?

aeneas1 said:

how do i get rid of the "go to settings to activate windows" watermark that has recently started to appear? i've check out the following and my system clearly appears to be activated, altho nothing shows up in step 4 and 5 shows my copy is not activated... i purchased this software about four years ago and have been using it ever since.

1. cmd > "slmgr /xpr" returns "windows(r) professional edition: the machine is permanently activated.

2. system properties shows "windows activation: windows is activated product id: my registration key".

3. productkey.vbs script shows product key.

4. cmd > "wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey" doesn't show anything.

5. activation settings shows that my edition is not activated.

EDIT - selecting "troubleshoot" in activation settings seems to have fixed the problem.

- - - Updated - - -

the watermark is back...

anyone else experience this?

@CharlieFinn
of Activate Windows watermark after update fame,
PM'd me that he had to uninstall lastest updates - one of which referred to Enterprise.

aeneas1 said:

so the solution is live with it or uninstall update(s)?

Nope.

You uninstall the corrupted update to see which has caused the problem. Then clean out the software distribution folder, check system integrity and restorehealth if need be.

Update can then be run again and hopefully install correctly.

PS: Not all updates are necessarily going to work on all PC's, may be the reason why the 1909 update has been pulled my MS.

in-place upgrade is non-destructive. You won't lose anything, except maybe the bad code giving those contradictory messages. All your apps, progs, data, etc. will remain.

Takes 20-25 minutes.

aeneas1 said:

fwiw, an update: uninstalling previous windows updates, cleaning out the software distribution folder, reinstalling updates, restoring health, etc. has not helped, just can't get rid of the watermark.

also, sfc /scannow and dism runs show no issues, clean bill of health... oddly, windows system info shows activated, while windows settings and the watermark show it's not active, beautiful.

i really don't want to have to do an in-place upgrade or a fresh install, but it's seems that's where i'm heading, sadly.

The watermark was done away with on the RTM Home/Core and Pro Editions 2 or 4 or more Versions ago and their associated Builds. There was a Registry item that could be changed and show it but that was soon blocked from use. It does still exist on the IP/Insider Preview Edition although it did go away for a short while. I liked it as I was running 3 versions and seeing it help keep them straight in my mind but at least it still works on the IP machines.