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Title: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: dlabrecque on April 05, 2007, 01:04 PM
Hey. I'm a newbie. Sorry if there's a better place to post this. Lemme know...

When I place my mouse pointer over items in my Task Bar, there's a pop-up balloon almost immediately that often obscures stuff I want to see. For a long time I've been trying to find a way to increase the delay time before they pop-up or make 'em stop altogether. No luck so far. Does anyone have any ideas?  :huh:

Thanks a zillion!  :)
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: dhuser on April 05, 2007, 04:05 PM
dlabrecque:
Welcome to DonationCoder! I do not think there is a way to disable this. It probably can not be disabled, as it is hardwired into the system.

dhuser
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: mrainey on April 05, 2007, 04:15 PM
To Disable The Notification Area Balloon Tips
Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
1.   Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then press ENTER.
2.   Navigate to the following subkey:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
3.   Right-click the right pane, create a new DWORD value, and then name it EnableBalloonTips.
4.   Double-click this new entry, and then give it a hexadecimal value of 0.
5.   Quit Registry Editor. Log off Windows, and then log back on.
These steps disable all Notification Area balloon tips for this user. There is no way to disable balloon tips for specific programs only.


http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307729
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: dlabrecque on April 05, 2007, 04:45 PM
Hey, thanks. Someone else told me just moments ago of that tweak. I tried it. I rebooted. It didn't work.  :(

Looks like it's intended for the Notification Area only. Well, I was hoping I could turn off all Task Bar pop-ups. But even my Notification Area (system tray) is still popping up!  :(

It's weird. 3 ns of hoverage and there's balloon getting in the way. Makes it tough to move around and see where I'm clicking.  >:(

Does this happen with everyone in XP who doesn't apply the tweak?

BTW, dhuser -- thanks for the welcome.  :)
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: app103 on April 06, 2007, 04:31 AM
I have the opposite problem. I lose my tooltips periodically, systemwide. I thought this was a 9x specific problem for a long time and then I got XP and found out that isn't the case.

I don't just lose them on the taskbar...I lose them for everything.

If I ever find out why I lose them, I will be sure to let you know so you can do it on purpose (and I can fix my prob once & for all).  :D
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: dlabrecque on April 06, 2007, 10:58 AM
...If I ever find out why I lose them, I will be sure to let you know so you can do it on purpose (and I can fix my prob once & for all).  :D
-app103 (April 06, 2007, 04:31 AM)

 :P   Thanks.  :D 
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: cthorpe on April 06, 2007, 03:00 PM
Had a very slow day at work today, so I've been looking for an answer to this for awhile.  So far, it looks like it may not be possible.  In fact, I've come across quite a few instances of people asking for the same thing, and the general consensus each time is that it can't be done.
 :(
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: Cpilot on April 06, 2007, 06:16 PM
Had a very slow day at work today, so I've been looking for an answer to this for awhile.  So far, it looks like it may not be possible.  In fact, I've come across quite a few instances of people asking for the same thing, and the general consensus each time is that it can't be done.
 :(
-cthorpe (April 06, 2007, 03:00 PM)
Do you mean tooltips or Balloontips?
If it's balloontips annoying you then copy this script and name it with a .vbs extension.
Run it.
Restart your computer and they should be disabled.
[Select]
Option Explicit

On Error Resume Next



Dim WSHShell, n, p, itemtype, MyBox

Set WSHShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")



p = "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\EnableBalloonTips"



itemtype = "REG_DWORD"



n = WSHShell.RegRead (p)

errnum = Err.Number



if errnum <> 1 then



WSHShell.RegWrite p, 0, itemtype

End If



If n = 0 Then

   WshShell.RegWrite p, 1, itemtype

   MyBox = MsgBox("Balloon Tips are now ENABLED", 64, "Show or Hide Balloon Tips")

End If



If n = 1 Then

   WshShell.Regwrite p, 0, itemtype

   MyBox = MsgBox("Balloon Tips are now DISABLED", 64, "Show or Hide Balloon Tips")

End If



Set WshShell = Nothing
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: dlabrecque on April 07, 2007, 02:34 PM
Do you mean tooltips or Balloontips?
-Cpilot (April 06, 2007, 06:16 PM)

Could you explain the difference? I'm specifically talking about the little tips that pop up nearly immediately over any icon in the  Task Bar when I hover over it.
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: Cpilot on April 07, 2007, 03:22 PM
Do you mean tooltips or Balloontips?
-Cpilot (April 06, 2007, 06:16 PM)

Could you explain the difference? I'm specifically talking about the little tips that pop up nearly immediately over any icon in the  Task Bar when I hover over it.
-dlabrecque (April 07, 2007, 02:34 PM)
Google is your friend.
Here's a little application at the "Code Project" that will eliminate tooltips by using a system wide hook.
You'll have to create a free account to download it.
Once installed go the folder it's installed in and run the program.
KillTT: No More Tooltips!
 (http://www.codeproject.com/tools/killtt.asp?df=100)
Apparently tested on WinXP.

Have fun.
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: Cpilot on April 07, 2007, 03:32 PM
Also as an aside, for those little annoyances that everyone seems so flustered by you can peruse this website.
Annoyances.org (http://annoyances.org/)
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: dlabrecque on April 07, 2007, 03:37 PM
Do you mean tooltips or Balloontips?
-Cpilot (April 06, 2007, 06:16 PM)

Could you explain the difference? I'm specifically talking about the little tips that pop up nearly immediately over any icon in the  Task Bar when I hover over it.
-dlabrecque (April 07, 2007, 02:34 PM)
Google is your friend.
Here's a little application at the "Code Project" that will eliminate tooltips by using a system wide hook.
You'll have to create a free account to download it.
Once installed go the folder it's installed in and run the program.
KillTT: No More Tooltips!
 (http://www.codeproject.com/tools/killtt.asp?df=100)
Apparently tested on WinXP.

Have fun.
-Cpilot (April 07, 2007, 03:22 PM)

Want to be sure I'm disabling the right kind of tip. Could you kindly describe the difference between the kinds? Thanks.  :)

I'm only annoyed by the ones popping up in the various sections of my task bar.

FYI... I tried the registry tweak (manually). It didn't work.  :(
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: tinjaw on April 07, 2007, 03:51 PM
I suggest posting a screen grab of what you want to eliminate. (Be sure to crop it down to just the area concerned.) That will go a long way in helping us help you.
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: Cpilot on April 07, 2007, 04:21 PM
Do you mean tooltips or Balloontips?
-Cpilot (April 06, 2007, 06:16 PM)

Could you explain the difference? I'm specifically talking about the little tips that pop up nearly immediately over any icon in the  Task Bar when I hover over it.
-dlabrecque (April 07, 2007, 02:34 PM)
Google is your friend.
Here's a little application at the "Code Project" that will eliminate tooltips by using a system wide hook.
You'll have to create a free account to download it.
Once installed go the folder it's installed in and run the program.
KillTT: No More Tooltips!
 (http://www.codeproject.com/tools/killtt.asp?df=100)
Apparently tested on WinXP.

Have fun.
-Cpilot (April 07, 2007, 03:22 PM)

Want to be sure I'm disabling the right kind of tip. Could you kindly describe the difference between the kinds? Thanks.  :)

I'm only annoyed by the ones popping up in the various sections of my task bar.

FYI... I tried the registry tweak (manually). I didn't work.  :(
-dlabrecque (April 07, 2007, 03:37 PM)
A tooltip is usually rectangular, a balloontip is like a comicbook characters speaking balloon.
Try the link I posted. If those ain't the right ones than I don't know what to tell you, it's either/or.
Disabling them ain't a permanent thing so give it a shot. What do you got to lose?
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: cthorpe on April 07, 2007, 07:38 PM
I suggest posting a screen grab of what you want to eliminate. (Be sure to crop it down to just the area concerned.) That will go a long way in helping us help you.
-tinjaw (April 07, 2007, 03:51 PM)

I think the original poster is wanting to disable these:

[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Here's a little application at the "Code Project" that will eliminate tooltips by using a system wide hook.
You'll have to create a free account to download it.
Once installed go the folder it's installed in and run the program.
KillTT: No More Tooltips!

Apparently tested on WinXP.
-Cpilot

That seems to do the trick.  Not sure if there are any negative effects, but it does get rid of the tooltips.


Edit: forget the attachment  :-\

Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: Cpilot on April 07, 2007, 09:13 PM
Yeah well balloontips are easy to disable, there's tips and tweaks and scripts all over the web to do so.
Tooltips are another matter.
I haven't seen any negative effects from this program but like all other things out there use at your own risk.
Personally I've found and disabled way more annoying stuff than tooltips but...to each their own.
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: PhilB66 on April 07, 2007, 09:40 PM
Hello, sorry for jumping in but I have a related question...Does anyone know what's the maximum visible time for tooltips and how to modify it?

Thanks,

PhilB
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: Cpilot on April 07, 2007, 11:43 PM
Hello, sorry for jumping in but I have a related question...Does anyone know what's the maximum visible time for tooltips and how to modify it?

Thanks,

PhilB
-PhilB66 (April 07, 2007, 09:40 PM)
Tooltips have a 5 second visibility.
Here's MSDN's all about Tooltips (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/shellcc/platform/commctls/tooltip/tooltipintro.asp)
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: PhilB66 on April 08, 2007, 09:14 AM
Hello, sorry for jumping in but I have a related question...Does anyone know what's the maximum visible time for tooltips and how to modify it?

Thanks,

PhilB
-PhilB66 (April 07, 2007, 09:40 PM)
Tooltips have a 5 second visibility.
Here's MSDN's all about Tooltips (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/shellcc/platform/commctls/tooltip/tooltipintro.asp)
-Cpilot (April 07, 2007, 11:43 PM)

Tnx. for the link.
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: Curt on April 08, 2007, 03:29 PM
I have the opposite problem. I lose my tooltips periodically, systemwide. I thought this was a 9x specific problem for a long time and then I got XP and found out that isn't the case.

I don't just lose them on the taskbar...I lose them for everything.
-app103 (April 06, 2007, 04:31 AM)

April, if you loose the tooltips again, you will most likely be able to make them come back if you dis- and en- able the feature by using X-Setup Pro 9 (http://www.x-setup.net) in Classic mode > Appearance > Explorer > Content Display Settings > Explorer /Desktop ToolTip Options.

You can try the program for free and keep any new settings after the trial. Over time I have tried the program several times without buying it, though I liked it a lot, but with Pro 9 I found the new feature "Windows Programs" so helpful that this time I bought it.

[ You are not allowed to view attachments ] (http://http://www.x-setup.net/downloads/home.asp?lang=EN)
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: Mandork on April 21, 2007, 09:09 AM
Just download Tweak UI from Microsoft.  It will also give you the ability to tinker with other hidden settings without the need for 3rd party software or messing around with the registry:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: app103 on April 22, 2007, 12:26 AM
I have the opposite problem. I lose my tooltips periodically, systemwide. I thought this was a 9x specific problem for a long time and then I got XP and found out that isn't the case.

I don't just lose them on the taskbar...I lose them for everything.
-app103 (April 06, 2007, 04:31 AM)

April, if you loose the tooltips again, you will most likely be able to make them come back if you dis- and en- able the feature by using X-Setup Pro 9 (http://www.x-setup.net) in Classic mode > Appearance > Explorer > Content Display Settings > Explorer /Desktop ToolTip Options.
-Curt (April 08, 2007, 03:29 PM)

On 9x I can't do it, but on XP the easiest way for me to get them back is to kill & restart Explorer....then use PS Tray Factory to get all my tray icons back. Works every time.  ;)

On 9x, if I am patient, they will come back later...all on their own (or I could reboot).

It annoys me most when I can't figure out which tray icon is which, when some look alike...or when I can't figure out which component is which on the palette in Delphi.

btw...I just noticed that they are missing again...time for me to go kill Explorer...again.  >:(
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: lanux128 on April 22, 2007, 10:15 PM
i'm not sure if this can be turned off without some 3rd party tools.. anyway, Mandork mentioned Tweak UI earlier, but i couldn't find anything on tool tips.. the closest thing is to disable balloon tips (see screenshot).. let me see if googling returns anything.. :)

[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: dlabrecque on April 23, 2007, 03:01 PM
Sorry I've been away...

Well, Tweak UI didn't do it. KillTT did indeed kill the tooltips in the taskbar. Sadly, it also killed the tooltips in other programs where I want them to happen.  :(

Ideally, I'd like to be able to set a delay before they pop up, and even more ideally, separately for the task bar and for applications. Oh, well.

Am I the only person out there who's annoyed by the fact -- and thinks it's a little strange -- that these things pop up immediately and obscure the various icons we're trying to work with? In particular the quick launch stuff on the left and the tray icons on the right.

Thanks everyone for trying to help.
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: Curt on April 23, 2007, 03:44 PM
I'm having a little hard time understadning why these tips are so annoying to you. Are they any bigger than this one, or maybe placed too many pixels lower, so they're covering the taskbar icons? Can you show us a screenshot, please?

[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: dlabrecque on April 23, 2007, 04:10 PM
Here ya go:

[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

There are four icons in this case that are covered. It wouldn't be so bad if the tooltip didn't appear instantly. A second of so of delay would make a huge difference for me as I mouse around. Instead, I can't see where I'm going.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: Curt on April 23, 2007, 04:20 PM
Ohh; two rows - then I understand how it will be a problem. And of course you need the extra row - I mean: its not done by using an app like True Launch Bar instead and have one row only? You do need TWO rows, right?

[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: Curt on April 23, 2007, 04:36 PM
... using an app like True Launch Bar instead and have one row only?...
-Curt (April 23, 2007, 04:20 PM)

The case is that you can store a lot of shortcuts in an app like True Launch Bar, and maybe settle with one row only?


Trickphoto (3 in 1) of my Quick Launch Bar:
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: dlabrecque on April 23, 2007, 04:37 PM
Not familiar with True Launch Bar. I need two rows because when I have lots of apps open, I quickly run out of Task Bar real estate, especially since I have so many quick launch shortcuts and tray icons I want access to.

Even with a single row, though, if I'm not careful and mouse too low, it's still a problem:

[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Does everyone have the ToolTips pop up almost immediately? I did a fresh XP install, hoping it'd go back to a default setting with a more rational hover delay, but to no avail...
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: dlabrecque on April 23, 2007, 04:40 PM
Thanks for the heads up on True Launch Bar, but even Windows gives a pop-up menu of open apps if you over-fill the task bar. I prefer to avoid the extra step when navigating to an open app.  :(
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: Curt on April 23, 2007, 04:40 PM
If your bar looks like this there must be something wrong!
This is not how its supposed to!

[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: dlabrecque on April 23, 2007, 04:41 PM
Could you be more specific? What's it not supposed to do?
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: Curt on April 23, 2007, 04:44 PM
Sounds if you need a virtual desktop instead. Search DC and read about it  :up:
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: Curt on April 23, 2007, 04:48 PM
Its supposed to do as shown on my screnshot - to stay above the icon:

[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: Curt on April 23, 2007, 04:56 PM
I meant of course 'the tip covering the bar, is wrong' ...  :-[
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: dlabrecque on April 23, 2007, 05:47 PM
Try it by hovering low over a quick launch icon and see what happens. My task bar icon ToolTips work fine. It's the QL icons that have the issue.
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: Curt on April 23, 2007, 05:59 PM
Pointing at the top left icon, the tip will show below the row:

[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

- but I don't have any shortcuts in Quick Launch Bar, as I don't use it, so the picture here is kinda True Launch Bar IN Quick Launch Bar..., and that MAY cause a difference. I wouldn't know.
Title: Re: Windows XP Annoyance: ToolTip pop-ups
Post by: tomos on April 24, 2007, 03:08 AM
I have a "multi-level" taskbar  :)

When i mouse over icons in systray, the tip always shows above the icon
obviously hiding the icon above, but its manageable.

EDIT: thats the case for me for the top row of icons as well..
If your bar looks like this there must be something wrong!
This is not how its supposed to!
-Curt (April 23, 2007, 04:40 PM)
Yeah, it shouldnt hide the icon you're mousing over