Remove the ‘System Requirements Not Met’ Watermark in Windows 11

If you installed Windows 11 on a computer that does not meet Microsoft’s official hardware requirements, you may notice a “System Requirements Not Met” watermark in the bottom right corner of your desktop. While this watermark does not affect your computer’s performance, it serves as a reminder that your device is running Windows 11 on unsupported hardware.

Many users find the watermark distracting, especially when giving presentations, recording tutorials, or simply using their PC every day. Fortunately, you can remove the watermark by making a small change in the Windows Registry. 

In this guide, you will learn how to safely remove the System Requirements Not Met watermark in Windows 11.

Why Does the “System Requirements Not Met” Watermark Appear?

Microsoft introduced the watermark to notify users that their computer does not satisfy the official hardware requirements for Windows 11. This commonly happens when a PC lacks a supported processor, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, or another required feature.

Although Windows 11 may continue to function normally, Microsoft does not guarantee that unsupported devices will receive every update or feature. The watermark is informational only. It does not slow down your computer, reduce performance, or prevent you from using Windows normally.

If you understand the risks of running Windows 11 on unsupported hardware and simply want a cleaner desktop, removing the watermark is a reasonable option.

Remove the System Requirements Not Met Watermark in Windows 11

To remove the System Requirements Not Met watermark in Windows 11, open the Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\UnsupportedHardwareNotificationCache, and change the SV2 value from 1 to 0. Restart your computer or sign out and sign back in to apply the change. Before editing the Registry, create a backup to avoid accidental issues.

Step 1: Create a Backup Before Editing the Registry

Before making any changes, it is important to create a backup of the Registry. This ensures you can restore the original settings if something goes wrong.

Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter. If the User Account Control window appears, click Yes.

Once the Registry Editor opens, click File at the top left and then select Export. Choose a location where you want to save the backup, such as your Desktop or Documents folder. Give the backup a descriptive name, select All under Export range, and click Save.

Keeping a Registry backup allows you to restore the original settings later if needed.

Step 2: Open the Unsupported Hardware Notification Registry Key

With the Registry Editor still open, locate the address bar near the top of the window.

Copy and paste the following path into the address bar:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\UnsupportedHardwareNotificationCache

Press Enter after pasting the path.

If the key exists, you will see one or more values displayed in the right pane. One of these values is usually named SV2.

This Registry location stores the settings related to the unsupported hardware notification shown on your desktop.

Step 3: Modify the SV2 Registry Value

In the right pane, locate the value named SV2.

Double-click SV2 to open the editing window.

Under Value data, replace the existing value of 1 with 0.

Click OK to save your changes.

Changing this value tells Windows not to display the unsupported hardware notification watermark. Be careful not to modify any other Registry values unless you know their purpose.

Step 4: Restart Windows to Apply the Changes

After updating the Registry value, close the Registry Editor.

Restart your computer normally by clicking Start, selecting the Power button, and choosing Restart.

If you prefer, signing out of your Windows account and signing back in may also refresh the desktop.

Once Windows loads again, check the lower right corner of your desktop. In most cases, the System Requirements Not Met watermark will no longer be visible.

Step 5: Restore the Watermark if Necessary

If you ever want to restore the watermark, repeat the same process.

Open the Registry Editor, return to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\UnsupportedHardwareNotificationCache, and change the SV2 value back to 1.

Restart your computer once again. The notification watermark should reappear, restoring Windows to its previous behavior.

This option is useful if you want to return your system to its default configuration or troubleshoot future issues.

FAQs

Is it safe to remove the System Requirements Not Met watermark?

Yes. Changing the Registry value only hides the watermark. It does not modify your hardware or bypass Windows security features.

Will removing the watermark improve computer performance?

No. The watermark is only a visual notification. Removing it does not increase speed, improve gaming performance, or reduce memory usage.

Will Windows updates continue after removing the watermark?

Removing the watermark does not affect Windows Update. However, Microsoft may limit updates or features for unsupported devices in the future.

What should I do if the watermark does not disappear?

Restart your computer after making the Registry change. Also, verify that the SV2 value is set to 0 and that you edited the correct Registry location.

Can I damage Windows by editing the Registry?

Yes, incorrect Registry changes can cause system problems. Always create a Registry backup before making changes and modify only the values described in this guide.

Summary

The System Requirements Not Met watermark is a reminder that your computer does not officially meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11. Although it does not affect your system’s performance, many users prefer to remove it for a cleaner desktop experience.

The process involves opening the Registry Editor, creating a backup, navigating to the UnsupportedHardwareNotificationCache key, changing the SV2 value from 1 to 0, and restarting your computer. By following each step carefully, even beginners can complete the process safely.

Remember that hiding the watermark does not make your PC officially supported by Microsoft. Your device will still be considered unsupported, and future updates or compatibility may depend on Microsoft’s policies. 

If you are comfortable with those limitations, removing the watermark is a quick and effective way to keep your Windows 11 desktop looking clean and distraction-free.