Show or Hide Windows Desktop Version Watermark

This article explains how to control the Windows desktop build watermark using the Windows Registry Editor (Regedit). By modifying a specific registry value, you can force Windows to display or hide the operating system version and build number strings on the desktop background.

The Registry Entry

The display of the Windows version watermark is controlled by the PaintDesktopVersion DWORD value.

• Registry Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
• Value Name: PaintDesktopVersion
• Value Type: REG_DWORD (32-bit Value)
• Value Data:
  • 0 = Disable the watermark (Default on retail versions)
  • 1 = Enable the watermark (Displays the Windows version and build number in the bottom-right corner of the desktop)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

3. Navigate to the following key:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

4. In the right-hand pane, locate the entry named PaintDesktopVersion. If it does not exist, right-click an empty area, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it PaintDesktopVersion.

5. Double-click PaintDesktopVersion to edit it.

6. Set the Value data to:

   • 1 to display the watermark.
   • 0 to hide the watermark.

7. Click OK to save the changes.

8. Close the Registry Editor.

To apply the changes immediately, restart your computer, sign out and sign back in, or restart the Windows Explorer process via Task Manager.