<p>The subject disclosure relates to managing z-dimensional ordering of elements within a computing system display through the use of z-order bands. Z-order bands are utilized to arrange windows and other graphics corresponding to respective application types. A policy engine controls which windows and/or other graphical elements can enter and exit each band. Graphical elements within a given band can additionally be subject to per-band properties corresponding to the band and/or user preferences. As additionally described, z-order bands and/or other suitable mechanisms facilitate registration watermarking for a computing environment by rendering a registration watermark display upon determining that one or more licensed elements of a computing system have not been registered. The registration watermark display is assigned a z-order band enabling its display over all other graphical elements associated with the computing system and prevents other graphical elements from interfering with its display.</p>
