When you point a shortcut, a directory, or a file, you get a tooltip (also known as an info tip). While, in general, I find this helpful, there are several reasons for disabling them. For example, you need to take a clean screenshot or view the file list without distraction. Here’s how you can disable tooltips in Windows 10.

Tooltips aren’t a new or exclusive feature of Windows 10. Ever since my earliest days on the computer, Windows has always had it. In Windows, almost all elements have tooltips. Start menu buttons, files, and folders in File Explorer. Ribbon commands have a brief description that shows details about the object you are pointing to.

Here’s an example of a tooltip in Windows 10:

Instructions to turn off Tooltips in Windows

1. Open This Computer in File Explorer.

2. In Explorer Ribbon user interface, click File -> Change folder and search options.

If you have disabled the Ribbon, press F10 -> click on Tools menu – Folder Options.

3. In the “File Explorer Options” dialog window, switch to the View tab. Removes the item called Show pop-up description for folder and desktop items.

4. Click the Apply and OK buttons.

Tooltips are immediately disabled in File Explorer.

Alternatively, you can apply a Registry tweak as described below.

Disable tooltips in Windows 10 with a Registry tweak

Here’s how it can be done.

1. Open the Registry Editor application.

2. Go to the following registry key

HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Explorer Advanced

3. On the right side, modify or create a new 32-bit DWORD DWORD value “ShowInfoTip”. Set its value data to 0.

Note: Even if you are running 64-bit Windows, you must still create a 32-bit DWORD value.

4. To make the Registry tweaks changes take effect, you need to log off and log on to your user account.