How to Remove "System Requirements Not Met" Watermark in Windows 11

If you installed Windows 11 on a PC that technically doesn't meet Microsoft's minimum requirements (like missing TPM 2.0 or secure boot), you may see a persistent "System Requirements Not Met" watermark on your desktop. This guide shows you how to remove this watermark permanently using a simple Registry edit.

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Contents 📋

1. Step 1: Open the Registry Editor
2. Step 2: Navigate to the UnsupportedHardware Key
3. Step 3: Modify the SV2 Value
4. Step 4: Restart Your PC

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Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

The Registry Editor is the control center for low-level Windows settings. Use caution when editing the registry.

1. Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
3. When the User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears, click Yes.

Step 2: Navigate to the UnsupportedHardware Key

You need to find the specific folder (key) that controls the visibility of the watermark.

1. In the Registry Editor address bar, copy and paste the following path and press Enter:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\UnsupportedHardwareNotificationCache

2. Note: If the UnsupportedHardwareNotificationCache key does not exist, the watermark is likely being managed by a different setting or is not active.

Step 3: Modify the SV2 Value

We will change the value within this key to hide the watermark.

1. In the right pane of the UnsupportedHardwareNotificationCache key, find the DWORD value named SV2.
2. Right-click on SV2 and select Modify.
3. The "Value data" field is currently set to 1 (which means the watermark is visible).
4. Change the "Value data" from 1 to 0 (zero).
5. Ensure the Base is set to Hexadecimal.
6. Click OK.

Step 4: Restart Your PC

For the Registry changes to take effect and for the watermark to disappear, you must restart the Windows Explorer shell or, more reliably, the entire computer.

1. Close the Registry Editor.
2. Restart your PC (Start > Power > Restart).
3. When you log back in, the "System Requirements Not Met" watermark should be permanently gone from your desktop.

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This Registry tweak is the only known permanent software solution to remove the watermark on unsupported Windows 11 systems. Remember to perform the steps accurately, especially in the Registry Editor.