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uwd2

(★ 179)

A program that removes the watermark in the corner of Windows insider builds: a successor to PainteR701's Universal Watermark Disabler

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Download Latest Version (.zip)

- - build.yml
- - Project_Default.xml
- .gitignore
- discord.xml
- modules.xml
- rust.xml
- uwd2.iml
- vcs.xml
- banner.png
- demo.png
- github_banner.png
- uwd2.ai
- uwd2.ico
- uwd2.png
- uwd2.svg
- cache_pdb.rs
- constants.rs
- explorer_modinfo.rs
- fetch_pdb.rs
- inject.rs
- main.rs
- parse_pdb.rs
.gitignore
about.txt
build.rs
Cargo.lock
Cargo.toml
help.txt
LICENSE
README.md

# Installation Guide

1. Get the code

git clone https://github.com/machineonamission/uwd2

Downloads the entire project code from GitHub to your computer.

cd uwd2

Moves into the project folder you just downloaded.

2. Rust

Medium Recommended

Prerequisites

Git Needed to download the project code from GitHub.
Rust (rustup) Installing via rustup also installs cargo.

cargo build --release

Compiles the Rust project.

cargo run

Builds and then immediately runs the program.

✅ If cargo build finishes without errors, it worked. The executable is created under target/.

// repository documentation

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# ![UWD2](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/machineonamission/uwd2/master/assets/banner.png)

# Universal Watermark Disabler 2

![demo](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/machineonamission/uwd2/master/assets/demo.png)

Created by [Melody](https://machineonamission.me/)

Inspired by [Universal Watermark Disabler](https://github.com/pr701/universal-watermark-disabler)
by [Painter701](https://github.com/pr701)

Written in [Rust](https://www.rust-lang.org/)

## What is UWD2?

UWD2 removes that pesky watermark in the corner of Windows Insider builds, as well as other similar types of watermarks.

## How to use it?

Just run the exe file in the [releases tab](https://github.com/machineonamission/uwd2/releases) and watch the watermark
vanish before your eyes! For best results, add UWD2
as [a startup program](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/add-apps-to-the-startup-page-in-settings-3d219555-bc76-449d-ab89-0d2dd6307164).

## Some disclaimers

### **UWD2 DOES NOT REMOVE THE "ACTIVATE WINDOWS" WATERMARK!!!**

UWD2 is for the insider beta watermark.

**UWD2 DOES NOT persist between explorer.exe or system restarts**. [See why below](#how-does-it-work). For best results,
add UWD2
as [a startup program](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/add-apps-to-the-startup-page-in-settings-3d219555-bc76-449d-ab89-0d2dd6307164).

UWD2 requires an internet connection on first run and between some system updates. [See why below](#how-does-it-work).

UWD2 only works on x86 based CPUs, i.e., not ARM. [See why below](#how-does-it-work).

UWD2 has only been tested on Windows insider beta watermarks. It may work on other similar watermark such as "test
mode", but these are untested.

## How does it work?

UWD2 takes an entirely different approach than the original UWD.
Using [WinDbg](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/debugger/), I found that inside shell32.dll
there is a function called `CDesktopWatermark::s_DesktopBuildPaint`. This function is what paints the watermark on the
desktop. Using this knowledge, UWD2:

- downloads debugging symbols from microsoft (this is why UWD2 needs an internet connection. UWD2 also caches these
  locally)
- Uses those symbols to find the memory location of `CDesktopWatermark::s_DesktopBuildPaint`
- Inserts a `ret` (return) instruction (this is why UWD2 only works on x86) into the memory of the running
  explorer.exe (this is why UWD2 does not persist) at the position of the `CDesktopWatermark::s_DesktopBuildPaint`
  function, causing the function's code to never execute.