How To Display the Build Number on the Desktop in Windows 2000 (315420)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q315420
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

IN THIS TASK

SUMMARY

This step-by-step article describes how to configure Windows 2000 so that the build number is displayed on the desktop.

back to the top

How to Configure Windows 2000 So That the Build Number Is Displayed on the Desktop

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

The release version of Windows 2000 is version 5.0, build 2195. To configure Windows 2000 so that the build number is displayed on the desktop:
  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
  3. Locate and click the following registry key:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

  4. In the right pane, double-click PaintDesktopVersion.
  5. Type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
  6. Click Exit on the Registry menu.
  7. Log off, and then log on to the computer.

    The build number is displayed in the lower-right corner of your desktop, for example:

    Windows 2000 Server
    Build 2195

NOTE: If you no longer want the Windows 2000 build number to be displayed on your desktop, follow the preceding steps, but type 0 in the Value data box in step 5.

back to the top

Troubleshooting

  • The build number is not displayed on your desktop after you perform the procedure that is described in this article.

    This behavior can occur if the Active Desktop feature is enabled. To resolve this behavior, turn off Active Desktop. To do so, right-click an empty area of the desktop, point to Active Desktop, and then click Show Web Content to remove the check mark next to this menu command.
back to the top


REFERENCES

For additional information about how to determine the version of Windows 2000, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

262255 How to Determine the Version of Windows 2000 in Use

back to the top





Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/15/2004
Keywords:kbhowto kbHOWTOmaster KB315420
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.