Remove and Disable Windows Vista Evaluation Watermark from Desktop

If an user install Windows Vista in trial or demo or evaluation mode, by skipping and not keying in any Windows product registration key when asked during installation of Windows Vista. The problem is that in evaluation copy of Windows Vista RTM final release, a watermark message will display on the right corner of the deskto:

Windows Vista (TM)
Evaluation Copy. Build 6000

Other than the evaluation watermark, you may also have a “Test Mode” testmode watermark showing on your desktop, if you’re using unsigned driver running in testsigning mode, especially in Windows Vista 64-bit edition.

The watermark about Windows Vista evaluation on the right corner of desktop is set by user32.dll.mui file located in \Windows\System32\en-US\ folder (last folder depending on which language option Windows Vista is installed, in the form of xy-XY, such as for German, it’s ‘de-DE’ folder). To disable, remove or get rid of the evaluation watermark in Windows Vista, simply modify or mod the user32.dll.mui file accordingly.

  1. Download and install Resource Tuner or PE Explorer or Resource Hacker that allows users to view, modify, rename, add, delete and extract resources in Windows executables and resource files (*.res).
  2. Navigate to \Windows\System32\en-US’ folder, and right-click on user32.dll.mui, and then click on Properties on the right click contextual menu. Then, select the Security tab.
  3. Click on the Advanced button, and the click on the Owner tab.
  4. Change the settings and edit to take ownership of user32.dll.mui file. Click OK when done.
  5. Go back to the Advanced Security Settings again, at Permissions tab, edit the permission that assigned to yourself to Full Control to get full access to user32.dll.mui file.
  6. Make a backup copy of user32.dll.mui located in \Windows\System32\en-US\ folder.
  7. Run ResourceTuner (or PEExplorer or ResourceHacker or others) and navigate and open the \Windows\System32\en-US\user32.dll.mui file.
  8. In the left tree-view pane, expand ‘String’, then click and open Item #45 and modify a few lines of strings so that the final results will look likes in the image below.Vista evaluation hack
  9. Click and open item #46 under the “String” and modify accordingly according the image below.Vista evaluation hack
  10. Then click to open item #47 and change the string value so that the final result will look as the below picture.Vista evaluation hack
  11. Save the file and quit the resource editor.
  12. Restart the PC.

Alternatively, if you not prefer to modify the file yourself according to solution or workaround above, there is a patch or already fixed version of user32.dll.mui file.

  1. Download the patched or cracked user32.dll.mui.
  2. Reboot the computer and boot into Safe Mode by pressing F8 right after the BIOS loaded.
  3. Go to \Windows\System32\en-US\ (normally c:\Windows\System32\en-US\ file location).
  4. Make a backup of user32.dll.mui file or simply rename the file to another name such as user32.dll.mui.bck.
  5. Copy the patched user32.dll.mui to \Windows\System32\en-US\ folder.
  6. Restart the computer.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Beta and Release Candidate versions also contain Evaluation Copy text on desktop, although your Vista is fully activated and genuine. To hide and remove the watermark, check out the patches for Vista SP1 Beta, or Vista SP1 RC Preview, or Vista SP1 RC. 64-bit Vista patch is also available.

Update: Remove Watermark universal patcher is a universal watermark patcher that supports all versions and languages of Windows, including 32-bit and 64-bit.

40 Responses to “Remove and Disable Windows Vista Evaluation Watermark from Desktop”

  1. Remove Watermark 32-bit and 64-bit Universal Patch Free Download for Windows 7, Vista and Server 2008 » My Digital Life
    November 18th, 2009 16:18
    40

    [...] to replace the user32.dll.mui with patched and watermark strings deleted version (Tip: Check out how to patch to remove the watermark on Windows), deepxw, the creator of reliable TCP-Z Half-Open Limit Auto Patcher, has also developed an utility [...]

  2. Remove and Erase Desktop “Evaluation Copy”, “Test Mode” or “Safe Mode” Watermark in 64-bit (x64) Vista » My Digital Life
    November 18th, 2009 16:14
    39

    [...] to trick by Treburin, users can now remove the infamous watermark printed on lower right corner or 4 corners of desktop [...]

  3. bobby
    September 1st, 2009 06:46
    38

    this shit doesnt even work fuck u for wasting my time bitch

  4. Deepak
    May 31st, 2009 11:52
    37

    To remove the watermark:

    Enter elevated command prompt by typing ‘cmd’ in start menu box and hitting CTRL-SHIFT-ENTER (then give admin pwd).

    At prompt, enter ‘bcdedit /set testsigning off’ and hit ENTER.

    If it says operation completed successfully (or something to that effect) – success. Restart computer. No watermark.

  5. Ok I give - Windows Vista Forums
    May 26th, 2009 18:57
    36

    [...] Re: Ok I give There is some information on this at: Remove and Disable Windows Vista Evaluation Watermark from Desktop

  6. Blake
    January 25th, 2009 15:48
    35

    Does anyone know how to restore the old watermark thing? I’m having some problems reinstalling GTA IV on my system…

  7. marcus
    January 7th, 2009 00:20
    34

    aqui tem um jeito muito mais simple e funciona no xp e no vista!
    http://marcus.rerre.googlepages.com/retirarr

  8. Remove Windows 7 Watermark (For Testing Purposes Only, Evaluation Copy & Test Mode on Desktop) » My Digital Life
    January 5th, 2009 03:37
    33

    [...] by using the hacking technique published by My Digital Life that modify user32.dll.mui file to remove watermark strings. People who doesn’t have the skill, technical knowledge or patient to do the job themselves [...]

  9. sylwek
    December 30th, 2008 06:20
    32

    not work for me :(
    i did same like here,but nothing happend.same text .
    i using windows 7 beta 7000 maybe u know how can i fix this problem???

  10. Remove and Disable Windows 7 Watermark from Desktop - Windows 7 Forums
    November 13th, 2008 00:14
    31

    [...] Remove and Disable Windows 7 Watermark from Desktop U can remove watermark on Windows 7 Build 6801 (32-BIT). 1. Navigate in Explorer to: "C:WindowsSystem32en-USuser32.dll.mui" 2. Take ownership of that file. 3. Copy the file above into the same folder as the original 4. Rename the original file to: "user32.dll.mui-old" 5. Rename copied version of the file to: "user32.dll.mui" 6. Download Resource Hacker 7. Run Resource Hacker 8. Open the following file in Resource Hacker: "C:WindowsSystem32en-USuser32.dll.mui" 9. Extend The String Table "+" 10. Extend the "+" next to "45" 11. Select 1033 12. Find the following lines: 715, "%wsWindows %ws" 716, "%ws Build %ws" 717, "Evaluation copy." 13. Delete or modify the lines to your liking. 14. Save the modified file. 15. Have fun, without the Watermark (or with the edited watermark) ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE (ITS FOR VISTA BUT ITS ALSO WORK ON WINDOWS 7) Remove and Disable Windows Vista Evaluation Watermark from Desktop

  11. Marlon
    September 2nd, 2008 10:17
    30

    It is a long guide but informative.

  12. A Guide on how to disable Driver Signing in Vista x64.... - Emuforums.com
    September 1st, 2008 23:54
    29

    [...] mode’ watermark that appears when in ‘Safe Mode’. To get rid of the watermark, either visit: Remove and Disable Windows Vista Evaluation Watermark from Desktop

  13. Jas
    April 7th, 2008 06:42
    28

    Thanks for the tips. On a genuine copy of Ultimate x86 SP1 (32-bit), I was getting “Test Mode” in the corners because of some unsigned driver, I guess. Your instructions didn’t quite work. Just add that in String Value #47 I also removed the text “Test Mode” and, just because I wanted to, “This copy of Windows is not Genuine.” Now my screen just has icons and wallpaper, like it should. Thanks again.

  14. Patched user32.dll.mui to Remove Evaluation Copy Text on Desktop of Vista SP1 RC1 » My Digital Life
    January 9th, 2008 17:13
    27

    [...] user32.dll.mui which located in localized directory yourself to remove the watermark text using the hacking guide. If you’re using simplified Chinese (China) edition, download the following file to replace [...]

  15. Get Rid Of and Remove Evaluation Copy Watermark in Vista After Installating SP1 » My Digital Life
    November 3rd, 2007 00:40
    26

    [...] of the watermark. The trick to remove watermark of Vista SP1 beta is pretty similar to the way to remove watermark when using unactivated trial of Vista, which cracks the user32.dll.mui [...]

  16. gpollacchi
    August 24th, 2007 13:29
    25

    By the way… We are using Windows XP Pro SP2

  17. gpollacchi
    August 24th, 2007 13:26
    24

    Well… I don’t have an evaluation copy. But I would like to use the watermark to put an extension number and contact information, and if I do wallpaper it gets removed by the users. Could someone be kind enough to help to create that watermark? I don’t have the original file. Also could someone tell me how to edit it? I will appreciate it. My email is gpollacchi @ hotmail . com. Please… Please help, I been last two weeks trying to figure this out.

  18. Woody
    August 21st, 2007 21:09
    23

    Great Idea
    How do you do it on server 2003

  19. Trebuin
    August 17th, 2007 15:44
    22

    I managed to actually get this to work with vista 64 with a few changes.

    1) Download this version of the user32.dll.msu: http://depositfiles.com/files/1512506
    This is a rar archive of 3 different user32.dll.msu files vista 64 contains, at least for my version.

    2) Open up the batch file within to read the directories that I place the new files to. Take ownership of the files in these directories and give yourself read/write permission as stated above.

    3) I built the batch based on c:\, extract all the files there. Replace them with your own edited version if you would like. I added the option to remove the test mode since that’s how I bypass the driver signature now.

    4) Now here’s where you need to pay attention: Use your Vista install CD, if you don’t own one, get one from microsoft or winbeta. You need to reboot your computer.

    5) You have the option to repair your computer, select this option.

    6) Now open the command prompt.

    7) Run that batch. All files should copy…if they don’t, time to modify the batch for yourself. Instructions are in the download.
    *XP’s boot CD should work as well if you’re familiar with it*

    8) Reboot and your done

    Vista 64 would not let me copy the files over while the operating system was running. I did not try safemode because I was getting a little irritated over all my failures and I knew this would work to overwrite. I hope this helps you all.

    Respectfully,
    Trebuin

  20. Calco
    June 13th, 2007 08:25
    21

    windows vista activator 2.0 beta – by clony i believe is one, and there are others. Youll find one that’ll work for sure. Although i abandoned Vista x64 and went with x86, I know that the bios emulation methods will make it so theres no watermark.

  21. Ramey
    June 13th, 2007 06:39
    20

    there is a crack that will activate the vista without a watermark even 64bit…, i will try to find it and post it

  22. Alp
    May 3rd, 2007 06:32
    19

    Same here on Vista x64, user32.dll.mui isn’t enabling the watermark on x64, it must be elsewhere!
    WHERE IS THE “user64.dll.mui” FOR UN-WATERMARKING, ANYONE KNOW? I think nobody in the whole world could manage removing it on x64, yet (been googleing since days), so WHERE ARE THE HEROES? It was so easy on 32bit Vista…

    @Calco:
    Really thx for your suggest with the solid color thing, since my BG-Picture is black on the lower right, hehe! You’re the Hero for now (untill i get a BG-Picture with no solid color on the lower right, lol)!

  23. Calco
    April 14th, 2007 09:00
    18

    I have been searching for days on google, and through all the files on my x64 vista, and as of right now there isnt a known way. however, heres a couple things i found very interesting. if you change the background to solid colors, and select white, it will change the watermark to black, and if the background is changed to solid black then the watermark is white, i never have picture backgrounds and always use black as my desktop, and i found if you set the desktop background to white, so that the watermark turns black, you then can go into paint and save a solid black .jpg and make that your bg, then you no longer see it. stupid way, but it works for now.

  24. Ramey
    March 5th, 2007 15:32
    17

    ok so after days of try to get it working on vista 64 bit!!!, i have finally found out the user32.dll has nothing to do with the watermark, since i have now mannged to move edit the file without it changing back but still to no avil… any way quittung is not a option

  25. Ramey
    March 5th, 2007 11:53
    16

    hey ari- i assume you are use some sort of time stopper patch, if you want to get you vista full activated google dr chang’s vista patch, it will fully activate you windows… no stupied graze period…. msg if you need help

  26. ari
    February 27th, 2007 10:19
    15

    i need help i did the patch i want to know if wen i put slmgr.vbs -dlv it says evaluation date 8-29-07 will it stop working in tht date and my exit button and minimize dont work y is tht

  27. Ramey
    February 18th, 2007 06:44
    14

    yeh same thing doesn’t work on vista 64, the user32 file keeps changing back…. it says the orginal file has been propely packed…. does anyone know how to unpack it??? please help

  28. Eli
    February 13th, 2007 10:23
    13

    I cant remove the watermark on Vista 64.
    Someone knows how i can do that?

    Thanks

  29. Tim
    February 12th, 2007 08:31
    12

    Worked for me

    used on dutch Vista Ultimate. The only problem is that i can no longer close, minimize etc. In other words, the 3 buttons in the top-right of every window are no longer working. How the hell is that possible? Is there a fix for this?

    thanks in advance

  30. Problem
    February 12th, 2007 04:38
    11

    Sorry but it keeps restoring the original file every time. i use Vista 64. Even saving the user32.dll.mui somewhere else and copying over has no effect. After each restart, the file is back to how it was before the editing.

    Does anyone know a way to do this properly?

  31. Unit18
    February 10th, 2007 21:21
    10

    Works Great!!
    Tnx!

  32. Jordi
    February 10th, 2007 01:54
    9

    This patch doesn’t works on Vista 64!

  33. Barukar
    January 14th, 2007 13:24
    8

    Remover e incapacitar o Watermark da avaliação de Windows Vista do Desktop.. ????

    Tem como me enviar passo a passo como editar o user32.dll.mui … utilizei o do downlods só que para de funcionar a função do (X) das janelas…

    Barukar

  34. Vista
    January 3rd, 2007 07:20
    7

    Question: I’ve edited user32dll.mui and I still have the watermark?

    I am running windows Vista x64 Ultimate RTM and my pictures look like yours and where changed accordingly. The user32dll file kept on changing back on me everytime I changed it with Resource Tuner. To fix. After step 5 right user32dll…. properties > security > advanced > auditing > edit > edit > check box “full control”. click ok > ok until properties is closed. Cheers now you can edit your file with Resource Editor.

    Thank you in advance for any help.

  35. admin
    December 25th, 2006 14:42
    6

    Ok sorry, the file can be downloaded from http://depositfiles.com/files/475315.

  36. Galaxy
    December 25th, 2006 14:33
    5

    Such file does not exist or it has been removed for
    infringement of copyrights

  37. Rajan
    December 3rd, 2006 18:09
    4

    I followed the alternative method and got full control of the file user32.dll.mui and when i try t replace the file it says that the file is currently in use please clse the file and continue.Can u tell me how cn i overcome this.

  38. Download Windows Vista Final RTM Build 6000.16386.061101-2205 Release with BT Torrent » My Digital Life
    November 23rd, 2006 01:42
    3

    [...] Trick: Extend Windows Vista activation grace period timeout. Crack/Patch/Workaround: Install and activate Windows Vista Final and remove Evaluation copy watermark on Vista desktop. [...]

  39. Delay or Extend Windows Vista Trial Install and Activation (WPA) Grace Timeout Period Hack » My Digital Life
    November 23rd, 2006 01:11
    2

    [...] In trial or demo mode the trick is that there is a built in command that can be executed to extend or reset the activation expiry date twice, indirectly allows users to use Windows Vista in full functionality mode for up to 90 days without activation required. Only annoying part is the desktop will be marked with “‘Evaluation Copy Build 6000″. (Ways to remove evaluation copy watermark) [...]

  40. Windows Vista Product Key and Bypass Activation Cracks and Workarounds » My Digital Life
    November 23rd, 2006 01:09
    1

    [...] Windows Vista enthusiasts and lovers already can download final RTM version gold release of Windows Vista from the Internet, way before the scheduled and target release date of Windows Vista to retail customer on early 2007. However, unless you have a hand on corporate volume license key (VLK), as Windows Vista is not yet officially goes on sale, so you won’t possible to purchase a license to get hold on a legal and genuine product key to activate and Windows Vista product activation (WPA) process to validate that the copy of Vista is genuine. In this situation, so in the situation that you’re having problem to successfully complete Windows Vista activation, or wish to bypass and skip the activation process, you can install Windows Vista in trial demo mode and extend the grace period for activation for longer usage when the activation expiry date closing by. If you want to get rid of evaluation copy watermark message, visit here. Else, users need to use some tricks and hacks to “activate” Windows Vista (or make Windows Vista to believe itself has been activated). Try the following cracks and hacks to properly install Windows Vista without activation or to crack Vista activation so that WPA can be bypassed, skipped or avoided. (both not tested, but should works) [...]

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