Windows XP Desktop Build Number...

What file handles the display???

When you choose to display the build/version number on the desktop, what prog/file/resource contains the text string (or bitmap, whatever it is)???

I can display or hide it with a Registry DWORD addition, but I'd just like to know *where* the text string, graphic, or registry key *is*...

Thankyouverymuch!...

 

Probably fetched from:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

I'd be very careful if you are considering changing any of these values. Export the entire key so it can be repaired.

Installers that check the Windows version, WindowsUpdate, and God only knows what else, may be affected.

 

Hi, Rich ~

Where exactly are you referring that you see the build display?

 

Bruce,

He's referring to having the version of Windows displayed on the desktop:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\PaintWindowsVersion

 

Hi, Abrax ~

I didn't know that was an option in XP - never heard of it

Is this a hidden setting disabled by default?

 

I swear I saw that setting somewhere in an unhidden form, but the only place I was able to locate it was X-Setup.

Possibly in Group Policy, but I'm too tired to look.

Good night

 

Here's the MS KB instructs -

Here's the info from MS - this also works on WinXP and Win 2003 Server (I have it on my HDDs) -

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.

Of course, if the DWORD is not there, you have to add it.

But that's not what I want. I want to get to the source of the text, so if I wanted to, I could change it to say, -

"Abraxas XP, Build 2601" or somesuch.

I've been looking in Explorer.exe with UltraEdit, WinDASM, and ResHack; no luck. I don't seem to find anything in the Registry either.

I'm only interested in the text. I could fake something up with Photoshop, but that's not the true spirit of Windows fudging...