How do I disable the tooltips in Windows XP and Windows 2000 for the Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons?

John Savill

August 15, 2001

1 Min Read
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A. XP and Win2K display a tip when you position the mouse on the Minimize, Maximize, or Close button. To disable this functionality, perform the following steps:

  1. Start the registry editor (regedit.exe).

  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop.

  3. Double-click UserPreferencesMask.

  4. Modify the first number in the string using the following equivalent values (e.g., change 9e 3e 07 80 to 1e 3e 07 80):

    • Change 8 to 0

    • Change 9 to 1

    • Change a to 2

    • Change b to 3

    • Change c to 4

    • Change d to 5

    • Change e to 6

  5. Click OK.

  6. Close the registry editor.

  7. Log off, then log on again for the change to take effect.

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