Getting frustrated with Windows 11 issues is totally normal.
Getting frustrated with Windows 11 issues is totally normal.
I purchased a used PC from someone a couple of weeks back. It came with a Red Dragon Vega 56 and a Ryzen 5 2600 processor. The Windows 11 setup didn’t look very trustworthy—there was that “activate Windows” watermark in the bottom right corner. Most folks would have passed on it, but it was a solid deal, so I decided to go ahead.
About two weeks later, the machine performed well. I discovered a way online to remove the watermark by running an activation batch file as admin with a specific command. After restarting, the watermark disappeared. Eventually, I stopped bothering with the activation script altogether and kept the watermark visible while working.
But after a few more days, I noticed something strange: when I powered on the PC, the watermark vanished without any effort. At the same time, performance dropped noticeably. Sometimes the system would freeze during gameplay or mouse movement, requiring a manual restart. Occasionally it would stutter, especially with demanding applications, and I’d have to restart manually.
I tried running the batch file again, which helped a bit, but still experienced stutters in games and occasional desktop issues. It was confusing how quickly things changed—one day everything ran smoothly with the watermark, the next it was gone entirely, leaving the computer feeling like a mess.
I’m not sure if there’s a technical fix beyond paying $200 for Windows 11 and doing a full wipe and reinstall. I just wish I could get that watermark back, even if it means sacrificing a small portion of my screen space. It’s frustrating to deal with this kind of inconsistency.
I would naturally clear the other person's operating system before I added my own data. You can reinstall Windows from a USB drive; if you don’t have a Windows 11 license, you can proceed without one—it will function properly after a few weeks without entering the key. Keys are available online for around $10, though I’m not certain they’re genuine. Make sure to back up any files or drivers you need on a different media before installing. Also, could you share your full system specifications and the games you’re planning to play?
It was already cleared when I purchased it, but I overlooked mentioning it. Regarding the detailed information: I was attempting to play Total War: Warhammer 3, and it functioned smoothly until the watermark disappeared. Now it either crashes during loading or runs very slowly. Probably best to hold off until the watermark reappears, hoping that resolves the issue.