Fix missing Tooltips in Windows 10

[martin]

Maximized Windows in Windows 10 usually (for me) don't show tooltips or hints.  For a short time following a WIndows update this was fixed on my laptop but after another day, and maybe another update, the problem returned, so I don't understand what the conditions are.

The script below checks for maximized windows and sets their size to a few pixels less than the screen size and this brings back tooltips.

I have found another way to fix the problem which might help some people. There are several programs I use regularly and the tooltips are important. On the programs I compile the tooltips help my users if they are not familiar with using the programs. If I set the maximum window size to be greater than the screen size ( @DesktopHeight/@Desktopwidth) then when maximized it still fits the screen ok but the tooltips still work. This can be done in AUtoIt with

GUIRegisterMsg($WM_GETMINMAXINFO, "MY_WM_GETMINMAXINFO")---- (search for examples)

In Delphi it can be done with Form.Constraints. I don't know about other languages.

For apps where the maximum size  can't be controlled the script below could help someone; it helps me at least.

Const $SPI_SETWORKAREA = 47, $SPI_GETWORKAREA = 48,  $SPIF_SENDCHANGE = 11


$StartRect = DllStructCreate("int[4]")
$PStartRect = DllStructGetPtr($StartRect)

$res = DllCall("user32.dll", "int", "SystemParametersInfo", "int", $SPI_GETWORKAREA, "int", 0, "ptr", $PStartRect, "int", 0)

$maxwid = DllStructGetData($StartRect, 1, 3) - DllStructGetData($StartRect, 1, 1)
$maxht = DllStructGetData($StartRect, 1, 4) - DllStructGetData($StartRect, 1, 2)

While 1
    $aList = WinList()

    $res = DllCall("user32.dll", "int", "SystemParametersInfo", "int", $SPI_GETWORKAREA, "int", 0, "ptr", $PStartRect, "int", 0)

    $maxwid = DllStructGetData($StartRect, 1, 3) - DllStructGetData($StartRect, 1, 1)
    $maxht = DllStructGetData($StartRect, 1, 4) - DllStructGetData($StartRect, 1, 2)

    For $i = 1 To $aList[0][0]
        If $aList[$i][0] <> 'Program Manager' Then
            $ws = WinGetPos($aList[$i][1])

         if isarray($ws) then;for some reason it isn't always
            If $aList[$i][0] <> "" And $ws[2] > $maxwid And $ws[3] > $maxht Then
                WinSetState($aList[$i][1], '', @SW_RESTORE);because changing the size leaves it as maximised as far as Windows is concerned!
                WinMove($aList[$i][1], '', $ws[0],$ws[1], $maxwid, $maxht)

             Endif
           EndIf
        EndIf
    Next
    Sleep(5000)
WEnd

 

25th January 2016. WIndows 10 had a major update overnight on my PC.  Now the problem with missing tooltips has gone. I din't know Microsoft studied these forums so carefully. So this means this script is no longer needed by me or anyone else.

24 Jan 2016 Edit again after Argumentum pointed out more than one monitor not allowed for. Not certain this is still correct but will test it with another monitor during next few days.

24th Jan 2016 Improved to use working area of desktop because the Taskbar  and other apps can use up some of the desktop, so a maximised window is not necessarily to desktop size. (I tried testing for @Maximized but it failed, and I didn't spend any time worying about why though it would be better.)

 

 

Edited January 30, 2016 by martin
To correct tags

[argumentum]

I tried the code but "WinMove($aList[$i][1], '', 0, 0, $maxwid, $maxht)" moves everything from my 2nd monitor to 0,0
"WinMove($aList[$i][1], '', $ws[0], $ws[1], $ws[2], $ws[3])" works fine.
But I tried on Win7. 
Thanks for sharing 

[martin]

Thanks argumentum, I hadn't thought of that even though I sometimes use 2 monitors myself. I've changed the code but it might not survive long.

[martin]

Tooltips can be made to work in W10 when an app is maximized if the maximum window size is set to be larger than the screen size.

I added this information to post 1.