Each Windows OS has its own build number which is shown in its Beta builds but not shown in RTM versions. This build number on Desktop is also called Watermark. For example, Windows Vista SP1 shows its build number as "Build 6001" on Desktop.
In this tutorial, we'll change this build number to our custom string and will show that custom string on Desktop. You can put your name, your website URL or anything which you want to show.
It might also become very useful to customization pack creators who can show their customized text like any beta build number or their pack version/name on Desktop.
So here we start our tutorial:
1. First thing is to enable "Build Number" on Desktop. There is a simple registry trick to show it.
Type regedit in RUN or Startmenu Search box and press Enter. It'll open Registry Editor. Now go to following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
In right-side pane, change value of "PaintDesktopVersion" DWORD to 1 (Create the DWORD value if its not present).
Now log off or restart your system and you'll see the Build number on Desktop:
2. We have completed first step. Now we have to customize this Build number. For this task we'll need to edit a system file "user32.dll.mui" in Resource Hacker.
If you don't know about Resource Hacker, you can read following tutorial:
All About Resource Hacker in a brief Tutorial
To edit the file, we'll need to take ownership of this file otherwise we'll not be able to save our changes. Taking ownership is very easy. First follow the instructions given in following topic:
Add Take Ownership Option in File / Folder Context Menu in Windows XP, Vista and 7
Now open My Computer and go to following folder:
%windir%\System32\en-US
You can paste the above string in addressbar and press Enter. It'll open the folder. Now look for the "user32.dll.mui" file. When you find it, right-click on it and select "Take Ownership":
NOTE: If your Windows language is different, then replace en-US in the above path with your language code.
3. Now open "user32.dll.mui" file in Resource Hacker. You can simply drag-n-drop the file in Resource Hacker window.
Once you open the file, go to "String Table -> 45". In right-side pane, look at the 715 and 716 entries. The 715 entry contains the first line of Build number i.e. "Windows Vista (TM)" and the 716 entry contains the second line i.e. "Build 6001".
We need to change their text so that we can show our own desired text. That's very simple. Simply delete the text within double-quotes "" and type your own desired text in both entries as shown in following screenshot:
After changing the text, click on "Compile Script" button.
4. Now save the file at some other location, for example in D: drive.
5. Rename original "user32.dll.mui" file present in "System32\en-US" folder to "user32_backup.dll.mui".
6. Now copy your new modified "user32.dll.mui" file to "System32\en-US" folder.
7. Restart your system and after restart Windows will start using your new modified file and your desired text will be displayed on Desktop:
PS: Please be very careful while editing any file in Resource Hacker. Changing Build number is completely safe and it'll not cause any problem.
This article was posted by VG in following section: Resource Hacker, Windows 7, Windows Vista.
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Ndci
Dear Vishal,
I've read through you article and found it very good but, I tried it on my Windows 7 ultimate laptop but it dosen't work. I've deleted the backup and restarted but it still didn't work. What should I do?
Thank you in advance!
VG
^^ Not sure but it works here. You can also try Safe Mode.
Salman
Hey How You Can I Change Minimize And Maximize bmp Like You And Which Window You Use.....
Plzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Email meeeeeeee
VG
^^ Its AeroVG theme. You can download it from Vista Themes and 7 Themes sections.
mohit
dear Vishal,
Thanks very much....
LOOFY
I CAN PUT MA NAME ؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟
loofy
doEs'nt work with win 7 OS
curt shuler
I have an install CD for WinXP Pro with SP1. When I use it to configure and install a utiility program, the build level (1089 or greater) is not available internally. So the installation fails. How can I change/hack the build level do it is correct internally?
Thanks
Curt
leomate
With aero lite combination + wallpaper + build tag = Windows 8 (but 7)
Lolol
David
Hey,
I tried this on Windows 7 Pro and it didn't work. I followed your instructions. Some things I did:
Changed account to Administrator.
Ran regedit as administrator (required, otherwise you cannot make changes to the user32 file).
Ran the "Take Ownership" script and used that on the file.
I can't change the original filename. If I do, I get "You need permission to perform this action" "You require permission from TrustedInstaller to make changes to this file"
The changes I am making to the file are not holding, but I am not getting any error upon saving them. I compile the script and save it afterward. Upon opening the file again, the file has been reverted to its previous version.
You might want to test your process on a Windows 7 machine to see if your users were giving you accurate data. If it is possible, I'd like more technical data on exactly how they did it.