Windows 8.1 "Help" Stickies * the Start Button

[Smitty]

If you've upgraded to Windows 8.1 you've no doubt noticed these really $*&^%@#! irritating stickies that show up if you inadvertently hit a corner with the mouse and they won't go away. Naturally, in Microsoft's infinite wisdom (same as with the whole Windows 8 BS), there's no native option to turn them off, so here's a Registry edit that will do it:

Disable Windows 8.1 Help Sticker Notifications

And as you've probably noticed, the "new" Start Button is next to useless, but here's some freeware that will create an actual working Start Button:

Classic Shell - Start menu and other Windows enhancements

 

[Norie]

I use Windows 8.1 and I've never seen these Help 'stickies'.

I also find the start button quite useful, the only gripe is having to right click to access it.

 

[Smitty]

If you go up to the upper/lower left-hand corners you should see them. If not, then you're lucky, because they're freaking irritating!

As for the Start Button, all I saw was that it immediately took me back to Metro, so I didn't bother with it. Especially since I was already using Classic Shell with Windows 8.

 

[Norie]

Smitty

Reckon I might be lucky or I've mucked up the upgrade.

If you right click the start button you'll get a pop-up which lets you access various things, eg Task Manager, Shut Down, Network Connections, File Explorer...

 

[Smitty]

Oh yeah, I saw that part.

Still useless IMHO.