Microsoft ditches build watermark in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview, but it will return in future builds

Microsoft’s latest, Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26090, brings a series of changes to the OS, some pleasant, while others, not so much. But, one that we are all going to appreciate is Microsoft removing the pesky build watermark from the bottom right corner of the desktop.

The release notes for Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26090 read,

The build watermark at the lower right-hand corner of the desktop is not present in this build and will return in future Insider Preview builds. This is part of our normal process for preparing Windows 11, version 24H2 for release to customers later this year – but does not mean we’re done. Windows 11, version 24H2, will be this year’s annual feature update. As mentioned here, Windows 11 will have an annual feature update cadence that releases in the second half of the calendar year.

So, the build watermark will not be present just in Insider Preview Build 26090 and will return in future builds. As per Microsoft, removing the build watermark is part of preparations for Windows 11, 24H2, the latest version of the OS set to be released later this year.

Other changes in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26090 include improved widgets, changes to the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol, more Copilot usage on local accounts, a patch for explorer.exe crash, and a fix for video stutter in apps and games.

Don’t you think Microsoft should allow users to easily remove watermarks on Windows 11 in the upcoming stable version? Let us know in the comments section.