Registry Tweak to Display the Windows 8 Build Number
PaintDesktopVersion =1 did not seem to have any the same effect on Windows 8
Developer Preview version machines as it did in Windows 7; however in the
Consumer Preview version it worked perfectly. See screenshot.
A simple registry tweak to change a value from zero (setting disabled) to one (setting enabled)
Do you find the PaintDesktopVersion value in HKCU** or HKLM? Answer: HKCU
Should you add a value, or modify an existing setting? Answer: Modify 0 --> 1
Is PaintDesktopVersion a String Value or a DWORD? Answer: DWORD.
Do you need to Restart, or merely Log Off / On?
Answer: Log Off --> Log On and view: Build 7600 embedded in the desktop,
just above the clock.
Tip: Add this Value, PaintDesktopVersion to Regedit's Favorites menu
Tip: To find the value that controls the build number quickly; launch regedit,
click on the Edit menu, Find, type PaintDesktopVersion.
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This trivial registry hack may spur you to research the family of build
numbers. What you find is that registry stores data about the version
and build numbers here:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Windows .
Knowledge of CSDBuildNumber (and BuildLabEx in Windows 7) is valuable when you
research which patches have been applied to the operating system. In
addition you can apply this principle to the SQL and Exchange areas of the
registry.
Creating a .Reg File
This page explains how to create, and then
edit .reg files for your computer. As it's easy to import the contents
of a .reg file into the registry, do take extra care with procedures.
** HKLM is an abbreviation of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, and HKCU is shorthand for HKEY_CURRENT_USER. These acronyms are so well-known that you can even use them in .reg files, Windows 7 will understand
and obey the registry instruction.
In Windows 7 when you wanted to display the build number, you could call for regedit and
set the value of PaintDesktopVersion =1. However, this does not seem
to work in the same way in the Windows 8 Developer Preview version.
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