How to disable or enable the Microsoft Confidential watermark in Windows 8.1 Update 1

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.

1. Open Registry Editor (see how)
2. Navigate to the following key:

   HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows

   Tip: You can access any desired Registry key with one click.

3. Create a new DWORD value called DisplayNotRetailReady and set it to 1.
4. Restart the Explorer shell.
5. Even if you activate Windows, the 'Microsoft Confidential' will appear on the desktop if this value is 1.
   
6. 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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