Today, while playing with the leaked Windows 8.1 Update 1, I discovered a new registry tweak, which allows hiding the 'Microsoft Confidential' message from the Desktop. That huge watermark which Microsoft started to use since Windows 8 development can be hidden. Windows 8.1 Update 1 can also force the watermark to be shown even if the OS is activated.
- Open Registry Editor (see how)
- Navigate to the following key:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
Tip: You can access any desired Registry key with one click.
- Create a new DWORD value called DisplayNotRetailReady and set it to 1.
- Restart the Explorer shell.
- Even if you activate Windows, the 'Microsoft Confidential' will appear on the desktop if this value is 1.
- To disable it again, simple delete the DisplayNotRetailReady value.
I guess this feature will be removed from the RTM build of Windows 8.1 update 1. Time will show.
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