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Windows Vista - Explorer

Remove Popup Descriptions for Desktop Items

SUMMARY: Remove popup text that appears when you hover over Desktop icons in Windows Vista.

Depending on your Windows Vista configuration, when you hover your mouse pointer over Desktop icons, description text may appear. This may include (depending on the file type) the file size, last date modified, version, location, or other information.

While some people appreciate this information, others may find these pop-up descriptions annoying. If you fall in this latter category, the pop-ups may be disabled:


A popup description appearing when hovering over a "WindowClippings.exe" icon on the Windows Vista Desktop



1. Do one of the following:

* Click on the "Organize" button in an Explorer folder, and then choose "Folder and Search Options".

* Open a folder in Explorer. Press the Alt key to temporarily show the menu, and then select "Tools" - "Folder Options".

* Click the Windows/Start button, type "folder options", and press Enter.

2. When the "Folder Options" multi-tabbed dialog box appears, click the "View" tab.


3. Underneath "Advanced Settings", uncheck "Show pop-up description for folder and desktop items".

4. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.

Return to the Windows Vista - Explorer page.

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The MalekTips website was created in 1998 by Andrew Malek of Envision Programming. The page's goal is to freely disperse computer-related tips, hints, and informative articles. Tips are organized to be easy to find, and are presented clearly, in easy-to-understand language. MalekTips also provides information and links to public-domain, open source, freeware, shareware, and commercial software available for download. < more >