How to Enable or Disable Pop-up Tips Description in File Explorer on Windows 11
File Explorer pop-up tips in Windows 11 show you extra details when you hover your mouse over files and folders.
These helpful little messages, also known as descriptions, appear automatically to give you quick information without needing to open anything.
For example, hovering over a picture file might show you its size or when you last changed it. This feature, which has been part of Windows 11, lets you easily see important details like modification dates or file types right away.
You can decide if you want these pop-up tips to appear or not, tailoring File Explorer to how you like it.
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
You can enable or disable Windows 11 pop-up descriptions directly within File Explorer by accessing its Folder Options. This is the most direct way to manage those helpful tips that appear when you hover over files and folders.
- Open File Explorer or press the Windows key + 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
For more granular control over Windows 11 pop-up descriptions, the Registry Editor can be utilized. While this method allows for finer adjustments, proceed with caution when editing, as incorrect changes can potentially disrupt your computer’s functionality.
- Press Windows key + 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
After modifying your Windows 11 pop-up descriptions, you may need to restart File Explorer for the new settings to take effect. This brief step ensures your changes are applied correctly, allowing you to observe the difference immediately.
- 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
You can influence the delay before a pop-up tip appears by editing a registry value located at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop. Increasing this value will make the tips appear more slowly, which can help reduce visual distractions.
Summary
You can choose whether Windows 11 displays extra information when hovering over files, using 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. While File Explorer does run fewer background tasks when you hover over items, the primary benefit is a tidier interface rather than a significant 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’s interface. It affects File Explorer and desktop items universally. There is no native setting to disable these tooltips for specific individual applications while keeping them enabled for the rest of the operating system.
Are these settings synced across Windows devices?
Settings managed through the Registry, like the ‘ShowInfoTip’ value, are saved directly on your computer. They are not synced across multiple Windows devices via your Microsoft account. You will need to manually apply these changes on every computer where you wish to customize the 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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