Windows XP and Explorer - Remove / Add Labels to/from Toolbar Functions

SUMMARY: Explain what the toolbar buttons in Windows XP Explorer folders do, or if you're an expert, remove all such descriptor text.

When opening folders using Explorer in Windows XP, several toolbar buttons exists to return to the previous folder, search for folders, or display a tree-view of folders.

For beginning computer users, however, what each Explorer button does may remain a secret as the buttons don't have descriptor text. Sure, you can hover your mouse over each button, but why should you go through all that trouble just to find out what you can do with your files and folders?

Expert computer users have a different quandary. Why riddle the screen with descriptions to Explorer functionality when you already know the task each button performs?

Here's how to enable or disable explanatory text for the toolbar buttons in Windows XP Explorer folders:

1. Double-click "My Computer" if visible on your desktop, or open up virtually any other folder window in Explorer.

2. Select "View" - "Toolbars" - "Customize".

3. When the "Customize Toolbar" dialog box appears, next to "Text options", choose "Show text labels" to display all explanatory text, or "No text labels" to hide the text.

4. Click "Close" to close the dialog box, and then close the folder window (if desired).

Press the "print" button on your browser or select "File" - "Print" to print this tip. Then, return to Windows XP and Explorer - Remove / Add Labels to/from Toolbar Functions