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I think it was Abraxas who suggested the use of ShellExView for the purpose of editing context (right click) menus. http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html
Unfortunately, the instructions are not too helpful--to me at least.
I think I understand that a program can be deleted from all the context menus in which it appears by disabling it from the list in ShellExView.
But there are some very useful context menu options that are not in the list, so I do not see how to use ShellExView to add them to or delete them from context menus. For example "Open in New Window". Or "Copy Shortcut". Windows does not offer these commands in the right click menu for Favorites, though I think both would be very useful.
Can anyone explain how to add commands using ShellExView? Or is that just not part of its capability?
In general, has anyone created a list of the places in the Registry where the various Context Menus are kept? (They are different, depending on what you right click on.) And a list of how to add commands such as mentioned?
I know that the Favorites' Context menu requires changes to HK_CLASSES_ROOT\Internet Shortcut\shell\
and in
HK_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft|Internet Explorer\Main
(and I know the command change to create the "Open in New Window" option) , but that is about the extent of my knowledge.
Thanks.
Last edited by Welshjim; 6th January 2005 at 00:29.
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There are a few others, and some instructions on the net for adding them manually, but this is the best I've found so far.
CE is not the easiest thing to use until you get more familiar with it. Some context entries are not editable with it. But if you look at some of the editable entries that you already have in your menus and see how they are put together, this reverse-engineering approach will get you to the point of creating your own.
CMenuExtender is another that might be worth looking at.
I also tried the ContextMenu ControlFreak, but it quit working for some reason and now I can't even find a new download of it. I wouldn't recommend it, anyway, if you happen to come across it. It is unstable and runs as a service---something you hardly need for just a context menu.
The context menu entries are stored in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT under ech file-type. They can be edited from there, but be sure to back things up. I once got to a point where everything in the menu opened a command window.
These entries are stored under the Master File Types. So, to see the entries that are for an avi file, for example, you don't look under .avi, but further down under:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers.
Last edited by Abraxas; 6th January 2005 at 01:09.
Abraxas--Maybe I was not clear. I think I understand how to use ShellExView to edit context menus, when the issue concerns adding/deleting a program, such as .txt, .exe, etc. But what I am after is to be able to ADD things like "Copy Shortcut", or "Open in New Window" which are not programs but rather commands.
Also concerning ftp://ftp.sac.sk/pub/sac/utilfile/cnxtedit.zip
1) This seems not to be for use on WinXP, and it seems to be used for removing items from the context menu, not adding them.
2) If it does work for WinXP, is there a page that will offer some explanation what this app does? The URL you provided is only for the download. (I am familiar with the old PCMag app of this name.)
Quote:
But if you look at some of the editable entries that you already have in your menus and see how they are put together, this reverse-engineering approach will get you to the point of creating your own.
Yes, I agree, that is what I was hoping someone with exeperience might share.
Last edited by Welshjim; 7th January 2005 at 02:40.
This is the PCMag app., the one and only that I know of.
I add context entries using it, but I am not aware of any directions or web pages that give any detailed instructions on its use.
For an example, scroll down to .txt in the file-types list in the left column. Highlight it and then click the "Master File Type" button. For me, nad this may differ due to many changes I have made to file associations, it goes to "log file". In the upper window are "Edit" buttons that show you how the context entries are made, and a "New" button for making your own.
It is here that I added "Command here" and "Command in containing folder" to the context of all my files and folders (not under .txt, but under "All Files").
Abraxas, thanks back to you for the editing and upload. I'll print that out and put it with the book I got for Christmas, "The 50 Greatest Mysteries." In my case, 50 doesn't scratch the surface.
Ok, so I am thick. TonyT--Thanks for the lead, but I can see nothing to do with Context Menu items in WebAccessories. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...ess/ie5wa.mspx
Or is there a new set of WebAccessories? Abraxas and surferdude2--Are you able to add "Copy Shortcut" to the rightclick menu for a Favorite using ContextEdit? (No fair looking at my first post, where I start you down the road to adding "Open in New Window" to a Favorite. )
If that is in the PCMag article, please direct me to the paragraph.
Abraxas--Much thanks, but let's close this thread. I was aware of CopyURL. But copy to Clipboard and then Copy/ Paste is not what I was after.
I can right click on the Favorite|Properties|Control+C. Was hoping to do that in one step. It is not clear to me why MS did not add Copy Shortcut and Open New Window to individual Favorites. They did it for History. (In History, Copy Shortcut is called "Copy".
If you are interested, I can tell you how to add "Open in New Window" to Favorites.
The problem is knowing where to find each of these Registry Keys and then knowing what the command is. I know where the key is for Favorites, but have no clue what the command for Copy Shortcut is.
And I already have "Open In New Window" in the context menu for each favorite
I did not (neither in Win98 nor WinXP Home with IE6) when I used the Favorites list in the left panel (by clicking on Favorites on the Toolbar) until I put it there by modifying the registry.
But I now see that I have Create Shortcut and New Window (note, not Open in New Window) in the context menu if I use the Favorites list by clicking on Favorites from the Menu bar (just below the Title bar). I do not know if "New Window" came from my Registry tweak or always was there. I certainly did not put the Create Shortcut there.
So I guess I raised an issue that MS had already taken care of in part, anyway.
Thanks to all for the helpful comments.
Last edited by Welshjim; 9th January 2005 at 18:00.
We're probably dealing with a difference between Pro and Home here. I don't have either of those functions available on my XP Home system. I'm as up to date as today on MS hotfixes, etc.
Neither Favorites menu offers either of those options. I even tried untagging the "Reuse Windows for launching shortcuts," then closing the browser, reopening, still no dice.
edit: Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180 (IE 6.0 SP2)
Last edited by surferdude2; 9th January 2005 at 18:26.
