Remove Test Mode Watermark in Windows 10

Who This Affects and What It Fixes

This guide is for Windows 10 users who see a watermark in the bottom-right corner of their desktop that reads something like Test Mode Windows 10 Pro. This message appears when a driver has been installed on the computer without being digitally signed by Microsoft. Following the steps below will disable Test Mode and remove the watermark.

How to Disable Test Mode

Click the Start menu and search for Command Prompt.
Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command exactly as shown and press Enter:
bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING OFF
Once the command completes successfully, restart your computer.
After the computer restarts, check the bottom-right corner of your desktop to confirm the Test Mode watermark is no longer visible.

Need Help?

If the watermark is still visible after following these steps, or if you receive an error when running the command, our team is happy to help. Contact ACS support and we will get it sorted out for you.

Common questions

What causes the Test Mode watermark to appear in Windows 10?

The Test Mode watermark appears when a driver is installed on your computer without being digitally signed by Microsoft. Windows enables Test Mode to allow that unsigned driver to run, and the watermark is a visual indicator that this mode is active.

Will turning off Test Mode affect the driver that was installed?

The procedure covers disabling the Test Mode display. If you have concerns about how this change may affect software or hardware on your computer, reach out to ACS at https://acsapp.com/contact-us/ before proceeding.

Do I need administrator rights to run this fix?

Yes. The command must be run from a Command Prompt opened as an administrator. If you do not have administrator rights on your computer, contact your IT support team for assistance.