Why is Windows XP filled with so many annoying features?

In what might be the most annoying software innovation ever, Microsoft has riddled Windows XP with balloon popups. “Take a tour of Windows XP!” “A wireless network is available!” “A new program has been installed!”

No matter how you slice ‘em, popups are annoying. I guess Microsoft didn’t get that memo. (The sender must have used Exchange.) (bah-dum-dum!)

The most useless of these popups has to be “A new program has been installed.” Every time I see that I think “Well no kidding. I installed it.” As if the big blue installer screen and EULA box didn’t tip me off. And why won’t the balloon go away until I go in to the Start menu and click on the new program? Does XP think that I didn’t notice the balloon the last 500 times it popped up?

OK, enough complaining. Here’s how you get rid of that “new programs installed” balloon:

  • Right click on START button and select “Properties.”
  • Click on “Customize”
  • Choose the “Advanced tab”
  • De-select the checkbox labeled “Highlight newly installed programs”.

Bada-boom, bada bing, the “New Programs Installed” balloon now sleeps with the fishes.