Microsoft has maintained a firm stance regarding the system requirements for Windows 11, making it clear that users attempting to upgrade on unsupported devices would face consequences. In 2022, the tech giant announced plans to introduce an incompatibility watermark, which would appear prominently above the system tray area on desktops of those who bypassed the specified requirements.
As reported by Windows Latest, the watermark began to surface on some users’ desktops, raising questions about its implementation. With the dawn of 2025 approaching, however, the anticipated watermark has yet to materialize on stable builds of Windows 11.
Interestingly, despite its initial resolve, Microsoft has refrained from enforcing the watermark, even as many PCs were deemed incompatible due to the TPM 2.0 requirement, despite their capability to run the operating system. This led some users to explore third-party tools, such as Rufus, to circumvent the restrictions and experience the new OS.
In a surprising turn, Microsoft subsequently released an official registry fix that allowed users to hide the watermark, casting doubt on the company’s original decision to implement it. While the watermark was initially spotted in preview builds of Windows 11, its rollout to the stable channel was limited and eventually retracted.
Windows Latest documented instances where the watermark appeared, indicating that the system requirements were not met. However, this feature was only rolled out to select PCs in 2022 before being pulled back by Microsoft.
Moreover, the placement of the watermark raised concerns, as it occupied space typically reserved for messages such as “Windows not activated” or “Insider build.” The potential for confusion with dual warnings in the same area was evident, leading to further scrutiny of the watermark’s practicality.
Future of the incompatibility watermark
Looking ahead, there is a growing sentiment that Microsoft should empower users to make their own choices regarding the installation of Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. After an initial warning, users should be able to proceed at their own risk, without the daily reminder of a watermark on their desktop.
It appears counterproductive for Microsoft to hinder the promotion of its product through such limitations. With numerous challenges ahead, including addressing various bugs in Windows 11 24H2 and enhancing the appeal of Copilot+ PCs, it seems unlikely that the company will revisit the watermark concept anytime soon.
