If Test Mode watermark is appearing on your Windows 10 desktop and you are not sure why this watermark with Windows 10 build number appears at the lower right corner of the desktop, continue reading this article to know what is Test Mode and how to enable or disable Test Mode in Windows 10.
Well, the message or watermark Test Mode is appearing on your Windows 10 desktop because Test Mode is enabled on your PC and your PC is running in Test Mode.
What is Test Mode?
Test Mode is a feature in Windows operating system which allows users to install and use drivers that are not digitally signed by Microsoft. The feature comes in handy for users who want to run or test programs that don’t have an authenticate certificate.
In short, the Test Mode message indicates that you have turned on the Test Mode or a program/driver which you recently installed turned on the Test Mode. For instance, when you install Trackpad++ program, it turns on the Test Mode.
If you didn’t turn on the Test Mode, it’s a good idea to turn off the Test Mode.
Turn on or off Test Mode in Windows 10
Here is how to turn on or off the Test Mode feature in Windows 10.
IMPORTANT: Please remember that turning off the Test Mode feature may force the program/driver which is not digitally signed stop working.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as administrator. To do so, type CMD in Start menu search to see Command Prompt in the search result. Right-click on Command Prompt entry and then click Run as administrator option. Click Yes button when you see the User Account Control screen.
Step 2: At the Command Prompt window, execute the following commands:
To enable the Test Mode:
Bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING ON
To disable the Test Mode:
Bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING OFF
If the above command didn’t work, this one must work:
Bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions ENABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
Bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING OFF
You may exit the Command Prompt now.
If the Test Mode message/watermark is still appearing, reboot your PC once.
You might also want to know how to boot into Safe mode in Windows 10 guide.
J.Bout says
hello everyone:
Unfortunaly the command option in the current win10 version are different from this version.
So the next command will work (tested):
Bcdedit /set TESTSIGNING OFF
Or to switch o:
Bcdedit /set TESTSIGNING ON
Ralph says
Unfortunately that does not help anyone who MUST be able to run an unsigned driver, permanently, and who does not want to be told they are in “test” mode. This article is really of no use as it does not explain how to get rid of the water make and still be in test mode which is what is needed.
Or explain how to , forever, with any prompts, except during initial install, force Windows 10 to install and keep working an unsigned driver, with out disabling driver signing for the other drivers and/or going in to test mode. There is no excuse for MS not making this easy, but I know that is not the fault of the Into Windows people.
That is what is needed, the info in this article is of no use for professional users who know how to go in and out of test mode etc, what is needed is knowledge on how to MAKE the OS work as it should, not as it does. And of course constantly call out MS for the crap that is the Win 10 OS.
MeowCat says
The second solution worked for me. Thanks! However, I had to enter BitLocker code when I rebooted my computer… Luckily, I had it written somewhere else. So I suggest people should have their BitLocker code ready before trying this just in case.
Andres says
It worked for me, at first it didn’t because the command prompt opened on C:\WINDOWS\system32> so I on my second attempt I went down to only C:\ using “cd..” two times (without the quote marks) and it worked after I rebooted my computer. I’m so happy haha thanks!
reyna rhea says
its not working. i try all the possible solution that says here but still the TESTMODE WATERMARK not removed.
Alan says
The Universal Watermark Disabler removes the watermark automatically. I have used this app since Windows 8 beta.