How to Show or Hide OS Edition on Windows 11
The desktop watermark in the bottom-right corner of Windows 11 shows your current OS edition, such as Windows 11 Pro. Hiding or showing this text is a quick tweak you can do to clean up your screen.
Two built-in tools control this text: the Registry Editor and the Group Policy Editor. Keep in mind that the Group Policy Editor only works on Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise versions, while the Registry Editor works on all editions.
You can show or hide the OS edition watermark on Windows 11 by editing the registry. Navigate to either 🗝️HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop or 🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWindows, create a DWORD value named PaintDesktopVersion, and set its data to 1 to show or 0 to hide.
Why do this?
Leaving the build number visible lets you check your exact operating system version at a glance without digging through the Settings app. This capability benefits IT professionals or users managing multiple test machines.
What happens when you are done?
After finalizing adjustments and restarting the PC, the desktop background either shows or hides the small text watermark listing the Windows edition and build number. This change is purely visual and does not alter system files or activation status.
Steps to Show or Hide the Watermark
The OS edition watermark on the Windows 11 desktop toggles on or off using the Registry Editor (a hierarchical database storing low-level operating system settings). This guide details the configuration steps required to show or hide edition details on the screen.
First, open the Windows Registry. Press Win+R, type regedit.exe, and hit Enter. Two options exist: apply the modification solely to the current user account or configure it globally for everyone on the PC.
- Use HKEY_CURRENT_USER to change settings for your account only.
- Use HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE to change settings for all users on the computer.
Registry Key HKEY_CURRENT_USER stores settings specifically for the active Windows account. This registry path alters options affecting only the individual user profile, leaving other accounts on the computer untouched.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
If the Desktop folder remains hidden, right-click the Control Panel key and create a subkey folder named "Desktop."
- Right-click in the empty space on the right side of the Desktop folder.
- Select New then DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name this new item
PaintDesktopVersion. - Double-click
PaintDesktopVersionand ensure the Base is set to Decimal. - In the Value data box, type
1to show the watermark or0to hide it.
For changes applying globally to all users on the computer, utilize HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Navigate to this path instead:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows- Create and update the item
PaintDesktopVersion. - Set the Base to Decimal.
- Type
1to show the watermark or0to hide it.
Using Group Policy Editor (GPO)
Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise users can toggle the OS edition watermark using the Group Policy Editor.
Risk Mitigation and Updates
Major Windows feature updates occasionally reset registry keys to their default values. If the watermark reappears after an update, repeating the configuration steps restores the preference. Always consult official Microsoft documentation for system requirements and update details.
Summary
Editing the registry successfully controls the OS edition watermark on the Windows 11 desktop.
Does hiding the OS edition affect Windows activation status?
No, hiding or showing the OS edition watermark does not affect Windows activation status. The watermark serves as a visual overlay for the desktop wallpaper. The system remains fully activated and functional regardless of whether this text is visible on the screen.
Is it safe to edit the registry to remove the watermark?
Yes, editing the registry to toggle the watermark remains safe when following specific instructions. However, backing up the registry beforehand is recommended. Incorrectly modifying unrelated keys can induce system instability, so restricting edits strictly to the values outlined in this guide prevents issues.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
2/13/2026 – Does not work anymore. Does not match my System > About information. I ‘see’ the watermark says: Windows 11 Pro, Build 26100.ge_release.240331-1435.
The System > About reads: Windows 11 Pro, 25H2, 26200.7840. And a Windows Feature Experience Pack of 1000.26100.291.0.
I have used Chris Titus WinUtil previously and wonder if that changed something necessary.