While working on a computer, situations sometimes arise (for example, when connecting Android devices to flash them) when you need to install specific and unsigned hardware drivers. In this case, it is best to use the Windows test mode. Let's consider this question in more detail.
Enable test mode in Windows command line
In order for the transition to the test mode to be successful, you must first turn off the "Secure Boot (Secure Boot)" mode in the BIOS, so you must go to your computer before starting. For different manufacturers of motherboards, the settings will be slightly different, but we will figure out how to disable "Secure Boot" using the example of our computer with an Asus motherboard.
So: we start the BIOS (UEFI) and go to the "Download" section. In it, go to the item "Safe Boot" and click it with the mouse.
A small menu "OS Type" appears, in which we select the "Other OS" item.
We save the parameters and reboot. If there is no “Secure Boot” item in your BIOS menu, then it is already disabled at the hardware level and you do not need to perform the above steps.
Now you can run the "ten" in test mode to remove some OS restrictions, in particular those that are imposed when installing unsigned drivers. Run (with administrator rights), enter the command:
bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
bcdedit . exe — set TESTSIGNING ON
We are waiting for the completion of the execution of each of the commands, after which the system will issue a corresponding notification.
Close the window, reboot. After the reboot, next to the notification panel, we will see an inscription reminiscent of the mode in which the operating system is now working.
You can disable the test mode in a similar way, only the command syntax will be slightly different:
bcdedit . exe — set TESTSIGNING OFF
Microsoft is always trying to meet the needs of a wide variety of Windows user groups. Starting from ordinary users, who just need to have at their disposal a standard set of OS tools. And ending with advanced "geeks", for whom the most important thing is to constantly be in the trend of the latest software innovations and electronic devices. It is for such "fans of digital progress" in Windows 10 that the developers have improved a special function - "Test Mode".
What is "Test Mode" and what is its purpose
"Test Mode" is a feature developed for Windows that allows you to switch your system from public (standard) mode to "special". A feature of this mode is that when it is activated, some security tools are blocked, namely, the so-called “digital signature verification” for drivers is disabled. In normal Windows operation, such a “check” can block the installation of some programs, applications, update files. Moreover, there is a possibility that the user will not be able to correctly connect an external electronic device (smartphone, PDA, tablet, etc.) to his computer. Therefore, switching to work in the "Test Mode" can be an effective solution to such a problem.
Even though Test Mode disables some security tools, your system is still safe. The only problem may be the incorrect operation of installed programs, applications and updates without a "digital signature from Microsoft".
Before switching to work in the "Test Mode", you should make sure that this feature is not blocked by the "BIOS" (BIOS) settings. For this:
The author of this article noticed that when the “Secure Boot” protective mode is enabled to block the “Test Mode” function, the computer consumes additional resources due to the active operation of the corresponding system process (displayed in the “Task Manager” / “Processes”). Therefore, for faster operation of your PC, it is advisable to deactivate "Secure Boot", even if you do not plan to use the "Test Mode".
Now let's go directly to the activation algorithm of the "Test Mode".
- Click on "Start", type in the search bar "cmd" and run the "Command Prompt" with administrator rights.
Be sure to run the "Command Prompt" as an administrator, otherwise the changes made to the system may not work - Type one by one, first: "bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS" press "Enter", and then: "bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING ON", also press "Enter".
A new command must be entered only after the message "Operation completed successfully" appears. - Reboot. Done, "Test Mode" is enabled.
After activating the "Test Mode", a corresponding notification will appear on your "Desktop"
Deactivating "Test Mode"
The process of deactivating the "Test Mode" is almost identical to its activation, with some differences.
Video: how to deactivate "Test Mode" through the "Command Line"
System failure, or how to remove the "Test Mode" notification on the "Desktop"
It's not uncommon for a "Test Mode" alert to appear unexpectedly on the "Desktop" even though you haven't activated it. The reason may be either a system failure or the automatic activation of the "Test Mode" after downloading and installing OS update files. If deactivating "Test Mode" through the "Command Line" does not help and the corresponding alert continues to be displayed, then you should use other methods to fix the problem.
With such a failure, the notification line also, most often, contains information about the assembly version of your OS Disabling alerts using the "Task Bar"
In order to get rid of an unexpectedly appeared alert, you just need to follow a couple of steps:
Removing a watermark with Universal Watermark Disabler
Universal Watermark Disabler is an auxiliary utility for Windows that allows you to remove any "watermark" from the "Desktop".
Due to the fact that the official website of the program developer is no longer functioning, you will have to use a search engine and download (at your own risk) the utility from any "software site" that can offer such an opportunity.
After downloading Universal Watermark Disabler, you need to:
- Run the utility and click "Install".
The start window of the installer also contains information about your system. - An installation confirmation window will appear, accept the agreement by clicking Yes.
After confirmation, the installation will start automatically - Upon completion of the installation of the utility, close the corresponding notification and reboot.
After installing the utility, be sure to restart your PC
Video: how to remove watermark using Universal Watermark Disabler
Removing a watermark with My WCP Watermark Editor
Another effective utility for "cleaning" your "Desktop" from the "Test Mode" alert is My WCP Watermark Editor. The main feature of this software is that it works standalone (i.e. without the need to install it on a PC).
- Since the creator of My WCP Watermark Editor has ceased his active development and updating of the utility, you can only (at your own responsibility) search and download WCP from third-party sites that distribute this software for the Windows system.
- Open WCP, put a marker in front of "Remove all Watermark" and click on "Apply new settings".
You can also return the "watermark" back by clicking on the "Restore default settings" button - Wait for the watermark removal process to finish, then reboot.
After the watermark removal process is complete, be sure to restart your PC
If you suddenly want to return the “watermark” that notifies you of the active “Test Mode” through My WCP Watermark Editor (by selecting the appropriate “Restore default settings” tool), then the author of the article would like to warn you. The fact is that the “recovery process” through this utility does not always work correctly, which may cause minor malfunctions in the operation of your PC, namely the “Desktop” (based on personal experience, for example, the background or some icons may disappear, miss the time and date).
Watermark Removal with Re-Loader Activator
This utility is primarily a license "activator" for Windows OS. However, its functionality is also able to help users with the removal of the "Test Mode watermark" of Windows. It is worth noting that Re-Loader Activator is not the most reliable software, so make a decision on its use only after "weighing" the risks involved.
Re-updating the system
Most often, the “spontaneous” appearance of an alert about the activated “Test Mode” is due to a system failure during the installation of Windows update build components. The solution to the problem that has arisen is to re-update the system through the "Update Center". For this:
- Press WIN+I to open Settings and go to the Update & Security category.
Settings "Settings" can also be opened through the "Start" menu - In the "Windows Update" tab, go to "Update History".
In the Windows Update settings window, you can also see information about the time of the last installed update package. - After that, click on the "Uninstall updates" line.
In the "Update History" you can also view the list of installed updates for the whole time - In the "Uninstall updates" window that appears, select the last installed update package and click the "Delete" button.
You need to uninstall only the latest system update - Restart your PC, then go to Windows Update again and click on the "Check for Updates" button.
After clicking on the check for updates button, the search and installation process will start automatically - Wait for the end of the search and installation of update components, then reboot the system.
After installing all the update files, the system will reboot automatically
"Test mode" is a useful additional mode of operation of the Windows 10 system. Thanks to it, users are able not only to install various kinds of software without problems (which do not have such a security tool as "digital signature verification"), but also connect all kinds of electronic devices to their PC and make sure they work correctly.
Initially, the "seven" is configured in such a way that it does not allow unsigned drivers to be installed. This is a special system protection. It is removed if the Win 7 test mode is activated.
Test mode setting
The test mode of Windows 7 can be activated as a result of installing any software, the installer of which has a built-in script. An ordinary user will easily notice a change in the system by the inscription at the bottom of the screen. It is small in size, but still seriously distracting.
In this case, deactivation of this function will be required.
But there are also reverse situations, for example, when you need to install custom software. And it is impossible to do this without activating work with unsigned drivers.
Shutdown
Anyone who is bothered by the inscription on the desktop will be interested in a way to disable the test mode in Windows 7. This is done from the Command Prompt. To launch it, open "Start", in the full list, find the section "Standard", the desired item is located there. Right click on it and then "Launch from...".
In the text field with a blinking cursor, write the request bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions ENABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS , and then press Enter, after which - bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING OFF
Note: you will not be able to insert text, you need to type it in manually from the keyboard.
It remains only to reboot the system.
Important: if you open the command prompt without administrator rights, then the command will be accompanied by the message "Access denied". This means that you missed a point. "Launch from...".
Activation
Activating the test mode is necessary to install unsigned drivers, such as those developed by users, that are required to synchronize a device with a computer. But there are other reasons why this feature is needed.
Launch Command Prompt again as instructed in the previous section. Activate the first request again. A success notification will be displayed, then write bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING ON
The hardware configuration of the computers on which Windows is installed can differ significantly in a number of parameters, just as the versions and editions of the OS themselves can differ. It is for this reason that applications created under Windows must be universal in terms of compatibility. This is usually the case, but there are software that require a special mode called test mode to run.
What is test mode and when is it activated
The test mode of Windows 10 can be conditionally called the state of "loyalty" of the system to software that does not have the appropriate electronic signatures. In this mode, the system lowers the security level, which allows the administrator to install unstable software. In addition, on 64-bit systems, it becomes possible to bypass certain security restrictions.
Under normal conditions, the test mode, as a rule, does not activate by itself. To enable it, the corresponding action of the user or a third-party program is required. The fact that Windows is working in Test Mode is clearly indicated by the inscription "Test mode Windows 10 ..." in the lower right corner of the monitor. The mode itself takes effect if the user disables it in the boot menu or deliberately enables it using the standard console tool bcdedit or a third party utility Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider.
A text watermark in the corner of the desktop may appear, although not immediately, in modified builds of Windows if the author has chosen to deactivate some verification features. Also, insider builds of the system released by Microsoft can be marked with the logo. Below we'll show you how to exit Windows 10 test mode, but first, let's see how to hide the annoying message from the screen that indicates its activity.
How to remove the inscription "Test mode"
If you use Test Mode on a regular basis, sooner or later the notification text next to the system tray will start to bother you and, most likely, you will want to get rid of it. But how to remove the inscription "Test mode" in Windows 10 in the lower right corner without leaving the mode itself? Very easy, just use a small portable utility Universal Watermark Disabler, which you can easily find on the Internet. Run it, click the "Install" button and confirm the action.
At the same time, the Explorer will be completed, the screen will turn black, the user session will automatically end, but when you log in again, you will see that the annoying inscription near the system tray has disappeared. If after a while you want to return it, you need to run the program again and this time click the "Uninstall" button.
In the latest builds of Windows 10, the correct operation of Universal Watermark Disabler is not guaranteed, for example, in Windows 10 16299, the utility generated an error “Failed during a remote procedure call”, which, however, did not prevent it from successfully hiding the inscription. However, this method is the most versatile.
Windows 10 users also suggested other ways to get rid of the logo, in particular, manipulating files in the directory %userprofile%/AppData/Roaming/Microsoft/Windows/Themes. But as practice has shown, such actions rarely lead to the desired result, or their success is temporary.
How to disable test mode completely
Well, now it's time to find out how to turn off Windows 10 test mode altogether. This is done very simply using the console tool. bcdedit.exe. The method given here works not only in the current tenth version of Windows, but also in the G8 and G7. Run the command prompt or PowerShell console with administrator privileges and run the command in it bcdedit.exe -set testsigning off and then restart the machine. Done, the test mode is deactivated and the notification text in the system tray will disappear.
There is, however, a small chance that it will not be possible to immediately disable the Windows 10 test mode. If after running the command you find that the watermark is still "decorating" the lower right corner of the desktop, go back to the console and run it again bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions enable_integrity_checks, and then repeat the command in the paragraph above.
This time the test mode should turn off completely, as well as its watermark should disappear from the screen.
Some users of the Windows 10 operating system find a mysterious “Test Mode” inscription on their desktop. This inscription is located in the lower right corner of the screen and indicates that the system is in test mode.
Test mode is a mode in which the Windows 10 operating system allows users to install and use drivers that are not signed by Microsoft. Typically, this mode is used by software developers. If you suddenly turn on this mode, then you can turn it off or simply remove the inscription "Test mode" from the desktop.
Disable test mode in Windows 10
In order to disable test mode in Windows 10, you will need. You can open it in different ways, the most reliable way, which will work in any case, is to search in the Start menu. To do this, open the "Start" menu, type "cmd" in the search, then right-click on the found program and select "Run as administrator".
After that, you should see "Command Prompt". The title of the window should contain the inscription "Administrator", which indicates that the "Command Prompt" is running with administrator rights.
Now you can start disabling Windows 10 test mode. To do this, you just need to run the command " bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING OFF' and restart your computer.
After executing this command and restarting the computer, the inscription "Test mode" should disappear from the desktop.
How to remove the inscription "Test mode" from the desktop
If you do not need to disable the test mode, but simply remove the inscription "Test mode" from the desktop, then this can be done using the free Universal Watermark Disabler program. This program is designed to remove various watermarks in Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 operating systems. The developer claims that the program works in all Windows builds starting from Windows 8 build 7850.
In order to hide the inscription "Test mode" using the program Universal Watermark Disabler, install and run on your computer. After starting this program, you will see a small window with the "Install" button.
Click on this button and confirm the use of the program by clicking on the "OK" button. After that, your computer will restart, and the inscription "Test mode" will disappear from the desktop.
