How do you disable miniature pop-up windows when hovering over icons in taskbar?

Anonymous
2009-11-17T20:57:10+00:00

Attempting to disable "small windows" that pop up when you mouse over icons in taskbar. Annoying me. They could be disabled in vista, but can't figure out how in W7. afraid i'm stuck with them. when i personalise and chose windows basic screen, "windows" become picture of icon. better, but still not good.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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Anonymous
2013-11-03T07:27:06+00:00

Method 1: is not available in Windows 7 Home Premium , only in the Pro version. And I could not find any registry value that would match the gpedit.msc corresponding option.

Method 2: works on my system. Without "ExtendedUIHoverTime" registry entry:

With "ExtendedUIHoverTime" registry entry:

So it prevents (for the number of milliseconds specified) the pop up of the taskbar thumbnail, but does not remove the additional (!) pop up (text box black on white) I guess known as "taskbar icon name".

After hours of investigation on the Internet, the only efficient solution I could find is indeed this light program that also brings lots of additional functionalities. It works also on Windows 8.1, does not change anything to the regular registry (quoting FAQ -> "The only registry keys the tweaker modifies are it’s own settings. There are no registry keys for the options it provides. The tweaker does that by injecting a DLL to explorer, hooking/subclassing/some other methods of the dark side.")

http://rammichael.com/7-taskbar-tweaker

I now use it, no more registry manual manipulations ("ExtendedUIHoverTime" registry entry removed),  I love it.

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-03-14T14:08:03+00:00

    Just try to get used to the previews.  They're actually pretty easy to ignore once you get used to the system, and they are actually helpful.

    If you're not seeing Live Previews and you WANT to, chances are you're not running Aero, but are instead running Windows 7 Basic theme because your system thinks something's wrong and can't start the more sophisticated interface.  There are threads on what to do, but the easiest method is to type Aero into the search box on the start menu, then click the Find and fix problems with transparency and other visual effects when it comes up.

    -Noel

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-03-14T06:27:48+00:00

    I actually have a similar problem, i would like to enable it. Its set to default for me that it gives me a description in a box not a preview.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-01-22T05:49:17+00:00

    Having the same issue with windows xp pro. I don't know how I loaded the aero/thumbnail thing, but it's redundant (the taskbar buttons are already labelled, I'd don't need a preview also. I don't need "visual aids"!)

    I've tried the above suggestions also. I never had this issue before I had to reload the operating system.

    Is there a simple folder to delete or uninstall?

    Help, and thanks!

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-12-19T11:20:53+00:00

    This is the frustrations we always experience with MS. This is the typical arrogance MS always has. They just impose whatever features (or annoyances) to the public, and want you to feel great about it, because they feel great about it, and you should, too!

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