How Do I Kill Tool Tips?
 

Hi all. When I put my mouse pointer over a quickstart icon I get an annoying pop-up tool tip. How can I kill that "Feature?"

Sorry, Win XP Pro SP2

Ok then. I guess I'm screwed.

Do you mean icons in the quick launch bar? (usually next to the Start button)

You can change the properties. Rt-click->Properties->General tab. Some are downright wordy.

There are also the Windows Explorer tip settings. Some can be changed by tweakui, some not. Use Regedit if you're comfy with it:

There's:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\tips\Show

Then a bunch in HKEY_CurrentUser\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\

EnableBalloonTips
FolderContentsInfoTip
ShowInfoTip
StartButtonBalloonTip

Setting each DWORD to zero disables the tip type.

*Standard Disclaimer* Write down original values and make a backup before changing anything. Do not try this at home. ...

a quicker way.. is to load up your local security policy or GPO..

go to run>gpedit.msc

then go thru to..
user configuration > administrative templates > start menu and taskbar > "enable" remove balloon tips on start menu items

another way to get to this setting is
run > mmc > file > add/remove snap ins > add > group policy object editor
then go to user configuration > administrative templates > start menu and taskbar > "enable" remove balloon tips on start menu items

i find this way a lot easier and safer then playin aroudn with the registry

Yep, that policy setting (NoSMBalloonTip) affects the start menu balloon tips but not the others. (and if you're reading on XP Home, gpedit.msc isn't included)

Notification area tips can be controlled with EnableBalloonTips
Popup folder info bubbles with FolderContentsInfoTip
Icon description bubbles with ShowInfoTip

There are half a dozen other hand-holders but they can be controlled with tweakui or built-in windows controls.

It's often easiest (and safer than regedit) to just merge preferred registry settings from a template file. i.e. custom settings.reg: