Alright, let's dive into removing that Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview evaluation copy. It can be a bit persistent, but we'll get through it together step by step. Have you noticed the evaluation watermark on your desktop? If so, you're in the right place!
Here's a comprehensive guide to help you get rid of it and revert to a stable Windows 11 Pro build:
Step 1: Checking Your Current Build and Channel
Before we make any changes, it's crucial to understand what Insider Preview channel you're currently on. This will influence the best approach to take.
How to Check Your Insider Preview Settings:
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Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
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Navigate to Windows Update (usually at the bottom of the left-hand sidebar).
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Click on Windows Insider Program.
- Here, you'll see which channel you're currently enrolled in: Dev Channel, Beta Channel, or Release Preview Channel.
- Take note of this information as it will be important in the subsequent steps.
- You'll also see the last build you received.
Step 2: Unenrolling from the Windows Insider Program
The first logical step is to stop receiving Insider Preview builds. However, simply unenrolling might not immediately remove the evaluation copy. It will prevent future Insider builds from being installed.
How to Unenroll:
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Go back to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program.
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Click on Stop getting preview builds.
- You'll be presented with a few options. If you want to stop immediately, you might see an option like "Unenroll this device now". Click on it.
- If you don't see that immediate option, you might see a toggle switch that says "Get the latest updates when they're ready for release". Turning this on is the recommended way to exit the Insider Program on a stable public build. If you're on a more recent Insider build than the public release, you'll need to wait for a new public release to become available and then enable this option.
Step 3: Waiting for the Next Stable Release (If Necessary)
If you're on a Dev or Beta Channel build that is newer than the current public release of Windows 11 Pro, simply unenrolling won't downgrade your system. You'll need to wait for a new stable public release to be available. Once it is, and your device downloads and installs it, your system will transition out of the Insider Preview.
- Patience is key here. This might take some time depending on Microsoft's release schedule.
- Keep an eye on Settings > Windows Update for updates.
Step 4: Performing a Clean Installation (The Most Direct Method)
If you want to remove the evaluation copy immediately, or if waiting for a stable release isn't feasible, performing a clean installation of Windows 11 Pro is the most direct and reliable method. This will erase all your data, so ensure you have a complete backup before proceeding!
How to Perform a Clean Installation:
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Create Bootable Media:
- You'll need a USB drive (at least 8GB) and the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website. Search for "Download Windows 11" on your browser and find the Microsoft link.
- Run the Media Creation Tool and follow the on-screen instructions to create a bootable USB drive.
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Back Up Your Data:
- Seriously, back up everything important! This process will wipe your hard drive.
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Boot from the USB Drive:
- Restart your computer. As it's booting up, you'll need to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. The key to press varies depending on your manufacturer (usually Del, F2, F12, Esc, or another function key). Check your motherboard or computer manual if you're unsure.
- In the BIOS/UEFI settings, find the boot order or boot menu and select your USB drive as the primary boot device.
- Save the changes and exit. Your computer should restart and boot from the USB drive.
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Install Windows 11 Pro:
- The Windows Setup will begin. Follow the on-screen prompts.
- When asked "Where do you want to install Windows?", you'll see a list of your drives/partitions.
- Select each partition and click "Delete" until you are left with only unallocated space.
- Select the unallocated space and click "Next" to begin the installation.
- Follow the remaining steps to set up your language, keyboard, account, etc.
- Make sure to select "Windows 11 Pro" during the installation process. You might be asked for a product key. If you have a retail Windows 11 Pro key, enter it. If you previously activated Windows 11 Pro on this hardware digitally, it should automatically activate once you connect to the internet after installation.
Step 5: Using System Restore (If Applicable)
If you haven't gone too far back with Insider Preview builds, and you had System Restore enabled, you might be able to revert to a previous restore point before the evaluation copy was installed. However, this is not a guaranteed solution and depends on your system's configuration and the age of the restore points.
How to Use System Restore:
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Search for "Create a restore point" in the Windows search bar and open System Properties.
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Click on the "System Restore" tab.
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Click on the "System Restore..." button.
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Click "Next".
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You'll see a list of available restore points. If you see one dated before you installed the Insider Preview, select it.
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Click "Scan for affected programs" to see which applications will be affected by the restore.
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Click "Next" and then "Finish" to start the restore process.
- Note: System Restore might not remove the evaluation watermark entirely, but it could revert your system to a previous stable state.
Step 6: In-Place Upgrade/Repair Install (More Advanced)
This method involves using Windows 11 Pro installation media to "upgrade" your current installation, essentially replacing the Insider Preview files with stable Pro files while (potentially) keeping your personal files and apps. However, it's more complex and can sometimes lead to issues, so proceed with caution and ensure you have a backup.
How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade:
- Download the Windows 11 Pro ISO: You can do this from Microsoft's website (the same place you get the Media Creation Tool).
- Mount the ISO: Double-click the downloaded ISO file. This will mount it as a virtual drive.
- Run Setup: Open the virtual drive and run the "setup.exe" file.
- Follow the Prompts:
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Choose "Not right now" when asked about getting important updates.
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Accept the license terms.
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On the "Ready to install" screen, make sure it says "Keep personal files and apps" (if that's what you want). If you want a completely clean install, don't choose this option.
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Click "Install".
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Your system will restart several times during the process.
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After the installation, you might need to enter your Windows 11 Pro product key if prompted.
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Step 7: Verifying Activation
After performing any of these steps, it's essential to ensure your Windows 11 Pro is properly activated.
How to Check Activation Status:
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Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
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Navigate to System and then click on Activation.
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Under "Activation state", you should see "Windows is activated".
- If it's not activated, click on "Troubleshoot" or "Change product key" and follow the on-screen instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions (How to...)
How to check if I'm running an Insider Preview build?
Quick Answer: Press Windows key + I > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program. It will tell you your channel.
How to unenroll from the Windows Insider Program immediately?
Quick Answer: Go to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program > Stop getting preview builds and look for "Unenroll this device now".
How to back up my files before a clean install?
Quick Answer: Copy your important documents, photos, videos, and other files to an external hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage.
How to create a bootable USB drive for Windows 11?
Quick Answer: Use the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website and follow its instructions to create a bootable USB.
How to enter BIOS/UEFI settings during startup?
Quick Answer: Restart your computer and press the designated key (usually Del, F2, F12, Esc) repeatedly during the initial startup screen. Check your motherboard manual if unsure.
How to select the USB drive as the boot device?
Quick Answer: In the BIOS/UEFI settings, find the boot order or boot menu and prioritize your USB drive.
How to find my Windows 11 Pro product key?
Quick Answer: If you purchased it separately, it might be on a sticker or in an email. If it was a digital license linked to your Microsoft account, it should reactivate automatically after a clean install.
How to mount an ISO file in Windows 11?
Quick Answer: Simply double-click the downloaded ISO file. It will appear as a virtual drive in File Explorer.
How to check if Windows 11 Pro is activated after installation?
Quick Answer: Go to Settings > System > Activation and look at the "Activation state".
How to revert to a previous stable build without a clean install?
Quick Answer: If you haven't gone too far with Insider builds and have System Restore enabled, you might be able to use System Restore to go back to a previous restore point. However, this isn't always a guaranteed solution.
Removing the Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview evaluation copy might require a bit of effort, but by following these steps carefully, you should be able to get back to a stable and properly licensed version of Windows 11 Pro. Remember to back up your data before any major changes! Let me know if you have any more questions along the way.