How To Display the Build Number on the Desktop in Windows 2000

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

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.

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.

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: