Are you experiencing the ‘System Requirement Not Met’ watermark on a Windows 11 device that the hardware isn’t officially supported? This watermark typically appears at the bottom left of your screen and can be quite noticeable.
For those using Windows 11 in a virtual environment, this might not pose an issue. However, for the majority, this watermark can be a distracting element. The good news is that there’s a solution: You can effectively get rid of this watermark by applying specific changes through the Windows Registry and the Group Policy Editor.
Windows 11 System Requirement
Windows 11 has specific system requirements that are more stringent than those of its predecessors. Here is a summary of the key requirements:
- Processor: A compatible 64-bit processor with at least 1 GHz clock speed and 2 or more cores. Windows 11 supports Intel 8th generation and newer processors, AMD Ryzen 2000 and newer, and Qualcomm 7 and 8 Series.
- RAM: At least 4 GB.
- Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device.
- System Firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
- Graphics Card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver.
- Display: High definition (720p) display, 9″ or larger monitor, 8 bits per color channel.
- Internet Connection and Microsoft Accounts: Internet connectivity is necessary to perform updates, and to download and use some features. A Microsoft account is required for some features.
These requirements reflect Microsoft’s focus on security and performance for Windows 11. It’s important to note that some features in Windows 11 might have additional requirements. For the most accurate and detailed information, it’s always best to consult the official Microsoft website or documentation.
Why the "System Requirements Not Met" Watermark Appears on Windows 11?
Microsoft’s Windows 11 comes with significantly tighter hardware requirements compared to earlier versions. A notable hurdle is the mandate for TPM 2.0 support; lacking this, the installation process halts prematurely.
Despite these restrictions, numerous clever methods have emerged, enabling users to circumvent these limitations and install Windows 11 on systems that don’t officially meet the criteria.
Originally, Microsoft permitted such installations on non-compliant hardware, albeit with cautionary notes regarding potential security vulnerabilities and the possibility of missing future updates. Recently, however, the company has implemented a persistent watermark as a constant reminder for users running the OS on unsupported hardware. This reminder may also pop up within the Settings application.
Method 1: Use Group Policy Editor to Remove the ‘System Requirement Not Met’ Watermark
Turning off the ‘System requirements not met’ message in Windows 11 can be accomplished through the Group Policy Editor. This requires enabling the ‘Hide messages when Windows system requirements are not met’ policy.
It’s important to note that the Local Group Policy Editor is only available by default in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. If you’re using the Windows 11 Home edition, you’ll need to first enable the Group Policy Editor.
Here’s how you can disable the ‘System requirement not met’ message using the Group Policy Editor (GPedit):
Step 1: Effortlessly open the Run dialog by pressing Win + R.
Step 2: Type gpedit.msc and hit OK to launch the Group Policy Editor. If the User Account Control prompts you, click Yes to proceed.
Step 3: Once in the Group Policy Editor, follow this path:
Step 4: Navigate to Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System. In the right-hand panel, look for the policy titled ‘Hide messages when Windows system requirements are not met’.
Step 5: Double-click on this policy to access its properties.
Step 6: Change the setting to ‘Enabled’ to activate this policy.
Step 7: Hit Apply and then OK to confirm your changes.
A system restart is necessary for the changes to take effect. Once you restart, the ‘minimum system requirements are not met’ message will no longer appear on your desktop.
To undo these adjustments in the future, simply set the ‘Hide messages when Windows system requirements are not met’ policy to ‘Not Configured’.
Method 2. Use Registry Editor to Remove the "System Requirement Not Met" Watermark
Encountered the ‘System Requirements Not Met’ watermark on your Windows 11 PC? You can easily remove it by tweaking a specific DWORD value in the Registry Editor.
Before you proceed, it’s crucial to minimize risks: ensure you create a system restore point before making any modifications in the Registry Editor.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to erase the ‘System Requirement Not Met’ watermark from Windows 11:
Step 1: Activate the Run dialog by pressing Win + R.
Step 2: Type regedit and hit OK to launch the Registry Editor.
Step 3: Once in the Registry Editor, navigate to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\UnsupportedHardwareNotificationCache. For convenience, you can copy and paste this address in the Registry Editor’s address bar.
Step 4: In the right pane, locate and right-click on the SV2 DWORD value, then choose ‘Modify’.
Step 5: Change the value data to 0.
Step 6: Confirm your change by clicking OK.
Step 7: Close the Registry Editor and reboot your computer to implement the changes.
If the ‘UnsupportedHardwareNotificationCache’ key is missing in your Registry Editor, you’ll need to create it and set its value accordingly. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open Registry Editor and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel.
Step 2: Right-click on the ‘Control Panel’ key, choose ‘New’, and then select ‘Key’.
Step 3: Name this new key ‘UnsupportedHardwareNotificationCache’.
Step 4: After creating the key, right-click on it and select ‘New’ followed by ‘DWORD (64-bit) Value’.
Step 5: Name this new DWORD value as ‘SV2’.
Step 6: Now, double-click on ‘SV2’, enter 2 in the ‘Value data’ field, and click ‘OK’ to save your setting.
Remember, with new updates to Windows 11, this watermark might reappear. In such cases, simply repeat these steps to maintain a watermark-free desktop.
Frequently Asked Questions about System Not Met Watermark
What Does the ‘System Requirements Not Met’ Watermark Mean?
This watermark indicates that the Windows 11 installation is running on hardware that does not meet the minimum system requirements set by Microsoft. This often relates to the absence of TPM 2.0, insufficient RAM, an unsupported CPU, or other hardware limitations.
Can I Still Use Windows 11 if I See This Watermark?
Yes, you can still use Windows 11 even if this watermark is displayed. However, it serves as a warning that your system may not receive future updates, including security updates, and you might experience performance issues or stability problems.
How Can I Remove the ‘System Requirements Not Met’ Watermark?
The watermark can be removed by either modifying a specific value in the Windows Registry or adjusting settings in the Group Policy Editor. However, these methods are advanced and may pose risks to your system’s stability and security. It’s advised to proceed with caution and create a system restore point before making any changes.
Will the Watermark Return After Windows Updates?
It’s possible that the watermark might reappear after installing certain Windows updates. In such cases, you may need to repeat the process of removing the watermark. It’s important to stay updated about any changes Microsoft might implement regarding unsupported hardware in future updates.
These questions address the common concerns and queries users have regarding the ‘System Requirements Not Met’ watermark on Windows 11.
The Bottom Line
Encountering the ‘System requirement not met’ watermark on Windows 11 is common if you’ve bypassed TPM or secure boot requirements. This watermark can be eliminated by either modifying a specific Windows registry entry or adjusting a group policy through GPedit.