Microsoft Confidential watermark appears in Windows Developer Preview.

Question

Hello

I had installed windows 7 pro, oem and wishing to try this pre-release of Windows 8, I install-it with the option to keep my documents. Well, it passed a week and I'm very happy with this new OS. Still, It happened to appear on the screen, above the usual watermark (Windows developer preview.....) a new one (Microsoft Confidential Unauthorized use or disclosure in any manner may result in disciplinary action.... etc etc).

I wish to know exactly what happened, why this watermark showed up, and how can I get rid of it.

Thanks.

Answer 1

That is just a normal pre-release watermark.  There is no way to get rid of it that I know of (but I don't know why you would need to).  The authorized use (including the end of life) was outlined in the terms of use you agreed to when you installed the product.  As long as you aren't selling, reverse engineering, or otherwise violating the terms, you're fine.  Really all it is doing now is preventing you from mis-representing this as a final build and selling a system with is installed (which violates the terms).

Answer 2

Thanks for your answer but, I didn't complained about the version/build watermark.

As I understand, posting on various forums the same question, it is an unusual fact to show up this "Microsoft Confidential" on desktop. "Its the "Microsoft Confidential" watermark, but its not suppose show up on WDP as its a public release."

Even after I restored the system at the first available restore point (two days after I install-it) it still was there.

I found a tool to get rid of the WDP watermark, but the point is if is that unusual, why it shows up, and what it is means. And, why is so strange to many testers of WDP whom tested this SO since September - October. Actually, searching the web, I didn't found any reference (image or text) about this kind of watermark for the version I have (build 8102), only for the 7850 beta. It seems that I activate/changed something and this thing appeared on my screen. Wish to know what.

Now that you mention about license agreement, I search in EULA ( EULAID:Win_BUILD_5_NTRL_R_en-us ) and I didn't found the string that appears on my screen.

Answer 3

Hey SebaVoda,

 

This message could be caused by system changes that alter Windows Developer Preview. These changes could have occurred in the registry or by using/installing a program that modified Windows Developer Preview.

 

You should be able to remove this message by refreshing Windows Developer Preview. Here is what will happen when you refresh your PC:

• Your files and personalization settings won't change.
• Your PC settings will be restored to their defaults.
• Apps from Windows Store will be kept. All other apps will be removed.

 

To refresh your PC:

• Enter the Start screen
• Click Control Panel
• Click General in the left column
• Under Refresh your PC without affecting your files, click Get started

 

Then follow the steps provided on the screen.

---

Steven

Answer 4

You got this after disabling Metro (RPEnabled set to 0)

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"A programmer is just a tool which converts caffeine into code"

Answer 5

Yep. That is a great observation. I did change the registry to disable Metro just before the watermark showed up.

I'm curious if reenabling Metro would get rid of the watermark.

Answer 6

I'm curious if reenabling Metro would get rid of the watermark.

yes, simply try it.

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"A programmer is just a tool which converts caffeine into code"

Answer 7

You got this after disabling Metro (RPEnabled set to 0)

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"A programmer is just a tool which converts caffeine into code"

I had this watermark problem too and i realized that I installed a program that disables the metro UI. I enabled the metro UI back, refreshed the desktop and the watermark was gone! So thank you for being help!

Answer 8

Hi Steven,

I am getting message as "Some files missing. The Media will provide these files." Please Help.

Thanks in Advance,

Mihir Shah.

Answer 9

Hey Mihir Shah,

Try inserting the DVD or USB installation media that you used to install Windows Developer Preview and then try following the steps to refresh your PC. This should prevent the message that you are seeing when trying to refresh your PC.

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Steven