How to Enable or Disable Pop-up Tips Description in File Explorer on Windows 11
File Explorer pop-up tips in Windows 11 are small information boxes that show up when you rest your mouse pointer on a file or folder. These tooltips display helpful details like file size, picture dimensions, and modification dates without making you open the item first.
Turning off these pop-up descriptions removes visual clutter as you browse your folders. You can switch them back on at any time through the File Explorer options menu if you miss seeing the extra details.
To enable or disable pop-up tips in File Explorer , open File Explorer, click the three dots menu, select Options, go to the View tab, and check or uncheck “Show pop-up description for folder and desktop items.” Click OK to apply.
Method 1Using Folder Options
Enabling or disabling Windows 11 pop-up descriptions happens directly within File Explorer through its Folder Options. Managing those helpful tips that appear when you hover over files and folders works best using this method.
- Open File Explorer or press the Win+E on your keyboard.
- Click the three dots icon in the top menu bar and select Options.
- In the window that appears, click the View tab.
- Find the box labeled Show pop-up description for folder and desktop items.
- Check the box to turn the feature on, or uncheck it to turn it off.
- Click OK to save your changes.
Method 2Using the Registry Editor
Advanced users can turn to the Registry Editor for tighter control over these descriptions. Proceed with caution here, since stray edits can disrupt system stability.
- Press Win+R, type
regedit, and press Enter. - Navigate to this path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- In the right pane, right-click and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name this value
ShowInfoTip. - Double-click
ShowInfoTipand set the Value data to1to turn it on, or0to turn it off.
Applying Changes: Restarting Windows Explorer
Modifying Windows 11 pop-up descriptions might require a quick restart of File Explorer before new settings apply. Restarting makes the tweak take effect right away so you can test your new layout.
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager .
- Find Windows Explorer in the list.
- Right-click it and select Restart.
- Alternatively, run this command in Command Prompt:
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe & start explorer.exe
Advanced Configuration: System Hover Delay
Altering the delay before a pop-up tip appears requires editing a registry value located at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop. Increasing this value makes tips appear more slowly, reducing visual distractions.
Summary
Controlling whether Windows 11 displays extra information when hovering over files relies on either File Explorer settings or the Registry Editor.
Does disabling pop-ups improve system performance?
Disabling these pop-up descriptions in Windows 11 has a minimal impact on system performance. File Explorer runs fewer background tasks when hovering over items, but the primary benefit remains a tidier interface rather than a major speed increase.
Can I disable tooltips for specific applications only?
No, the setting for these pop-up descriptions in Windows 11 applies everywhere in the system interface. It affects File Explorer and desktop items universally. No native setting exists to disable tooltips for specific individual applications while keeping them enabled elsewhere.
Are these settings synced across Windows devices?
Settings managed through the Registry, like the 'ShowInfoTip' value, save directly on the local computer. They do not sync across multiple Windows devices via a Microsoft account. Applying these changes manually is necessary on every computer requiring custom File Explorer hover behavior.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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