This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Windows edition and build watermark on the desktop for your account or all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
You can add a watermark on the bottom right corner of the desktop that displays the currently installed Windows edition and build release information for easy reference.
This will not affect the Windows Insider Preview Evaluation copy watermark on the desktop.
Contents
- Option One: Add or Remove Windows Edition and Build Watermark on Desktop for Current User
- Option Two: Add or Remove Windows Edition and Build Watermark on Desktop for All Users
EXAMPLE: Windows edition and build watermark on desktop
1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you want.
2. Add Windows Edition and Build Watermark on Desktop for Current User
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Add_Windows_watermark_on_desktop_for_current_user.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"PaintDesktopVersion"=dword:00000001 3. Remove Windows Edition and Build Watermark on Desktop for Current User
This is the default setting.
If the watermark is added using Option Two, this will not remove the watermark for your account.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Remove_Windows_watermark_on_desktop_for_current_user.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"PaintDesktopVersion"=dword:000000004 Save the REG file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 Either refresh (F5) the desktop, restart explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.
8 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you want.
2. Add Windows Edition and Build Watermark on Desktop for All Users
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Add_Windows_watermark_on_desktop_for_all_users.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows]
"DisplayVersion"=dword:00000001 3. Remove Windows Edition and Build Watermark on Desktop for All Users
This is the default setting.
If a user adds the watermark using Option One, this will not remove the watermark for that user.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Remove_Windows_watermark_on_desktop_for_all_users.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows]
"DisplayVersion"=dword:000000004 Save the REG file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 Either refresh (F5) the desktop, restart explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.
8 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
