[How To] Remove Or Modify The Watermark (Build Number Info) In Windows 8

Whenever Microsoft releases a beta version (testing build) or service pack of Windows, a watermark is shown on the desktop mode of this Windows. This concept is

Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin
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Whenever Microsoft releases a beta version (testing build) or service pack of Windows, a watermark is shown on the desktop mode of this Windows. This concept is also applied to newly released Windows 8 Consumer Preview (Beta) which will be followed by Windows 8 stable release and its further updates.

Windows 8 Beta, by default shows following watermark:

Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Evaluation copy. Build 8250

Most of users asked the way to remove /edit this watermark. The reason is clear that the watermark is of no use and is annoying. So to help you all on this issue, I am going to share a free tool. This tool is named as “My WCP watermark editor“.

My WCP watermark editor can easily remove or edit the watermark on your wish. Following is the screenshot of condition of Windows before and after using this tool.

Here is how to use this tool:

How To : Remove Or Modify The Watermark (Build Number Info) In Windows 8

Step 1 : Download My WCP watermark editor using below link:

Download Link

Step 2 : Run the downloaded file using administrative privileges.

Step 3 : When you run the tool, following window is shown:

Here, the Edition Field shows upper line of watermark. Default is Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

Build field shows second half of second line of watermark. Default is Build 8250.

The Restriction note here shows first half of second line of watermark. Default is Evaluation copy. In this field, put something that doesn’t contains slug ‘copy’.

Start mode simply notifies whether you are using Windows in safe or not. Recommended to keep it unchanged.

To remove the watermark, check the Remove all watermark option.

Once you’re done click Apply new settings.

Step 4 : Reboot the PC. Navigate to personalization window and change the theme. That’s it. Now your modified watermark is shown up or no watermark is shown if you removed all watermark in previous step.

Hope this help you to deal with watermark.

PS : I would recommend to create a “System Restore” point before using this tool. So that if anything goes wrong, we have the back option.

NOTE : This tool also modifies the information in System Properties and About Windows prompt.

Hope you find the article useful!

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Article by

Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin

Kapil holds Microsoft MVP title in Windows IT Pro expertise, 11-times in a row (2014-2025). He is 8-times Windows Insider MVP as well, and author of 'Windows Group Policy Troubleshooting' book. In 2015, Microsoft India accomplished him as 'Windows 10 Champion'. Being passionate Windows blogger, he loves to help others on fixing their system issues. Kapil has worked with official Microsoft Community Engagement Team (CET) on several community projects. You can subscribe him for news/updates and fixes for Windows.

12 Comments
lee

how to do this manually ?

hammed

Thanks thats awesome thanks again for share ;)))

Packard

thnx thnx tanx… to kill the most annoying thing on windows 8

Kapil Arya Author

@ lee, Manual:

1. Run %appdata%MicrosoftWindowsThemes

2. Follow as indicated in image:

NOTE: Works only with basic theme. Doesn’t works on changing theme and wallpaper.

FASFJV

great job dude.. u r my new hero!

Shantanu

@kapil, thanks for both method does this app will generate an error means is it safe to use it?

lee

thnx again bro bt i will confine to wcp manual fix is sticky

Luckett

thanksss. mind blowing

Vineet

i make all the text field blank in this app then click on set then the watermasrk is gone but now when i am running this app again it say are you sure you r using windows 8 beta . so plz tell me how to reset it to default

Kapil Arya Author

^^ I don’t get what you want to do reset? Is it the default watermark or your tweaked settings. Well here are both cases:

If you want to reset default watermark, run sfc /scannow command in elevated command prompt for once and reboot.

If you want to get reset your modified setting, try running the tool again and save them. After reboot, you’ll get your desired effect. Hope this helps :)

Hamza

This works but the problem that it messes up all win 8.1 apps.SFC fixes the apps problem but restores the watermark.
But i have made some progress by removing windows 8.1 preview but the evaulation copy is still present..any suggestions

Yusif Nurizade

Hi,

I am also getting a popup whenever I try to change the watermark a second time.

It says “Are you sure you are using Windows 8 Beta?” and only let’s me press OK without running the program.

Can you advise how to resolve this?

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