Summary

This article explains how to disable Notification Area balloon tips in Windows Vista.

Disabling the Notification area Balloon tips

Note: If you want to automate the steps below, download the REG file(s) available at the bottom of this page.

Method 1

  • Click Start, Run and type Regedit.exe
  • Navigate to the following subkey:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Advanced

  • Create a new REG_DWORD (32 bit) value named EnableBalloonTips
  • Double-click EnableBalloonTips, and then assign a value data of 0
  • Exit the Registry Editor
  • Log off Windows, and then log back on.

The above method applies to Windows XP as well.

Method 2

  • Click Start and type GPEDIT.MSC
  • Accept the User Account Control prompt
  • Navigate to the following branch:

User Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Start Menu and Taskbar

  • Double-click Turn off all balloon notifications and set it to Enabled
  • Close Group Policy Editor
  • Log off Windows, and then log back on.

Here is the corresponding registry value for the above setting:


HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer
"TaskbarNoNotification"=dword:00000001


Sample Notification area balloon tip