How to change the context menu of my computer. Detailed analysis of Windows context menu options

Every Windows user knows that regardless of the program right click mouse, you can call up an additional, so-called context menu, which contains a set of special commands and links. Let's try to figure out what it is for and how to work with it correctly.

What is the Windows context menu

Speaking of the context menu of "OSes" Windows families, I immediately want to note the fact that it is not some kind of exclusive development of Microsoft Corporation. Mac OS X or Linux also has this element.

In general, if you understand what is context menu, it can be described as an additional set of commands for quick access to some functions, say, without calling a specific application or control.

So, for example, everyone knows that the context menu always contains the "Open with ..." command, after which a list of the most suitable applications for working with the file is displayed. You yourself understand how much more convenient it is to open a file here than to call the program, and then go to the "File" menu and use the "Open" line or the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + O.

In addition, in addition to commands, there is also a set of special tools with which you can learn many things. But more on that later.

View and organization of the context menu

Let us now consider how the contextual windows menu 7. Probably, everyone paid attention that in the menu itself there are special separators in the form of thin horizontal lines. The meaning of their use is to distinguish between actions of the same type or commands belonging to one program.

Here it is worth paying attention to the fact that the context menu in a “clean” system, so to speak, immediately after installation, can be very different from what the user sees after installation. additional programs and utilities. This is due to the fact that many installation packages commands for quick access to some of its main functions are already integrated directly into this menu during the installation process.

Most of all, this applies to anti-virus software, media players, programs for working with disk images, archivers, etc. In principle, the user can add his own items to ensure the convenience of work.

Additional menu on the desktop and in program windows

Surely, every user paid attention that the context menu in different programs or on the same desktop differs in the list of items and commands. It `s naturally. For example, if you call up the menu on the desktop, it becomes clear that the “Open” line used for folders and files is not needed there. Another thing is when the mouse button is clicked on a shortcut or a saved file located on the desktop.

As it is already clear, in different programs the context menu can also contain dissimilar items. In this case, it all depends on the specifics of the application. Compare at least the usual Explorer and text word editor. But for now, we will focus on the "native" commands of the Windows OS.

Basic context menu items

Dropdown menus are present almost everywhere, even in the main Start menu. In any of them you can see some items marked with arrows. This is done to show that the clause itself contains additional subclauses.

As usual, for files and folders at the very top, there is always an “Open” command in bold. When you click on this line in relation to files, they will be opened in any program. You need to know that selection occurs only if the application itself sets the association of the file with this particular program. Otherwise, using this command will only result in the system prompting you to browse and select the most appropriate application. If several programs are associated with the file, you can use the "Open with ..." line, which will contain a list of programs that work with the extension of the file you are looking for.

It goes without saying that in the context menu of the same Explorer there are commands like "Copy", "Delete", "Cut", "Paste", "Send", "Rename", "Create Shortcut", etc. Even a child knows this. On the other hand, there is also a "Properties" line, the use of which provides the user with full information about the object being used.

So, for example, when calling such a command, when clicking on the computer icon on the desktop, you can get general information about the main parameters computer system and installed operating system. For the desktop, the context menu provides basically only the use of settings and options for synchronizing folders with sharing attributes.

Some menus also provide administration or inspection tools for selected items.

Using Additional Context Menu Commands

Now let's talk about some additional commands. If you give an example installed antivirus, you will notice that the context menu will always contain lines like "Scan" or "Check with ...". Agree, very convenient.

The same applies to archivers, because you can add a file (folder) to an archive or extract it from there with one click.

Many media players behave in a similar way, integrating their own commands into the system's context menu. Most often, for multimedia files, the items for adding to a playlist or playing (video and audio) appear here, and for graphics, this is a view command. In general, it all depends on which program integrates its own menus into the menu. command lines, and what objects are associated with it.

Adding and removing commands in the system registry

So we got to solving the problem - how to add your own items to the context menu. This can be done in several ways. In this case, at least three options can be proposed. Two of them concern editing the system registry, and one concerns the use of specialized utilities.

In the system registry, you can use the addition of keys, but if you don’t know which keys and their values ​​​​are responsible for a particular process, you can spend a lot of time, achieve nothing in the end, and bring the system to a state of complete inoperability.

Therefore, consider the simplest way to work with the registry. First, the command to access the regedit editor is used in the Run menu. Here you need to go to the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT section, find AllFilesystemObjects, then shellex and finally ContextMenuHandlers.

The last section selects extra menu by clicking the right mouse button and the command to create a new object and the key "New" and "Key", respectively, is executed. Now you need to enter a name for the newly created key, which will be displayed in the context menu, after which we select the "Change" command and in the overview indicate the location of the program or application that will be responsible for the new action. Confirm the selection and reboot the system.

Deleting the keys in this section will cause the corresponding command from the menu to disappear. But if you do not know which key is responsible for what, it is better not to change the standard configuration.

Using the Context Menu Tuner

However, as practice shows, no one really wants to rummage through the registry (you never know what can happen). Therefore, we can advise special utilities to add and remove items to the OS context menu.

One of the simplest, but very functional, is a utility called Context Menu Tuner. It will help you quickly change the menu beyond recognition. Everything is simple here. The main window includes two panels. Commands are located on the left, folders and main parameters are on the right. As it is already clear, there is nothing easier than choosing the desired command and using the button to add it, say, to the desktop menu. Removal is done in reverse.

It is worth mentioning some additional options. First, you can select some file extension, and only then associate the appropriate command and program with it.

Changing the context menu access button

By default, the context menu button is the right mouse button. It is very easy to swap buttons and call the context menu with a left click. To do this, you need to go to the mouse settings in the Control Panel and perform the necessary manipulations. Only and everything.

Add an item to the context menu of windows 10 explorer for convenient and quick launch of programs we use frequently. Quick launch desired applications without labels. Let's look at 2 options: context menu, create cascade popup.

Incorrect operation of the registry will lead to a system crash. You do all actions at your own peril and risk. You can use the video instruction by clicking .

Let's add items to the context menu of Windows 10 Explorer.

Let's start the registry editor. Press "start", the line "search", enter.

We launched the editor, now we follow the path:

Now we create a name to reflect in our menu. In my situation, the Smite toy:

• We press "RMB" - the right mouse button on the line shell.
• Create.
• Chapter.

I made the name of the toy "smite".

We make a command to launch the toy:

• We press RMB on the section made, in the presented case, "wash away".
• Create.
• Chapter.

We set the command to the created key. Create a section, write a name " command".

Now copy the path of the toy. In my case "E:\smite\smite.exe".

• We chose the executable (.exe) file of the game, program.
• Press Shift + Right click on smite.exe, " copy as path". Only when you press a combination of buttons will this line appear.

Set the copied path to the registry. Select our team from the left" command" with a mouse click. From the right in the field, click quickly 2 times to open the window:

• 1. Select a section
• 2. Open the "options" window
• 3. Put the mouse slider in the value line
• 4. Press "RMB" paste

It should turn out something like this. The "value" column should contain the executable path to the program.

• 1. Select the created section from the left in the column.
• 2. Click on the empty field to the right Create.
• 3.String parameter.
• 4. Set a name icon, designate the path to the location of the toy.

It should work. Icon, title.

Creating a cascading menu with items.

I really like this method. You can easily sort everything beneficial for using at the computer. Create sections "game", "programs", "graphics", place 3-9 applications each. Having dealt with a simple method, how to add an item to the context menu, It will be easier for you to understand the essence of the pop-up cascade. A complex procedure that requires attention. We will work with two registry keys.

Create a cascading menu. We go into the registry: "start", drive in the word "regedit" in the "search". I'm on my way:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell

• Click "RMB" on the folder shell.
• Create section.
• Come up with a name. I wrote menu 101.

We make in "menu 101" string parameters with the names of the names of the four keys:

• MUIVerb(name to reflect).
• SubCommands(reflection of names).
• icon(reflection of the picture).
• position(position: above, below).

I want to clarify what is in the key SubCommands you need to separate the toys " ; " (smite; Tomb Raider).

A visual representation of the set values:

1. Asked icon. (assigned the path to one of the games, exe file, automatically sets the icon).
2. position in the contextual scoreboard, did not exhibit, you can write " Top"-above, " bottom"-bottom.
3. SubCommands name names that we wrote with ";" (smite;Tomb Raider). The picture shows the icons in front of the name of the toys. We will ask them further. You should get it like here, only without the icons of the games.
4. The display name that was written in the value MUIVerb.

In the picture you will not have half. Just an explanatory example of which option will be displayed. There are a few more steps to be taken.

Created four files. Now we register the label functionality. Until then, only Game with picture. For reflection, as shown in point three (picture above). Let's go to the following registry key along the path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CommandStore\Shell

• Right-click on the shell folder, create the partitions that were set in SubCommands(smite;Tomb Raider). It should turn out from the left in the column there are two folders with names.

Created two of our folders. After these two partitions are created, the windows will cascade, but will not function.

We set the default value with the names of the games to display in the pop-up window:

• 1. Select the section with the toy from the left.
• 2. Click twice on the line.
• 3. In the window that opens, write the name of the game that belongs to the folder on the left. (In the smite folder, the value is smite. Tomb Raider, the value is Tomb Raider).

We create icons opposite the game names. Create in smite, Tomb Raider String parameters With name icon, specified by the path to the exe file. Let me remind you to copy the path. Press Shift + right click on smite.exe, " copy as path". . Create a string parameter, specify the path to the game. Do not forget to write the name icon.

Now we set the launch of the command so that they function, run. Create a section in each folder (smite, Tomb Raider) named command.

1. We allocate command.
2. We press 2 times.
3. We indicate the path of our toy.

.

Good day... In today's article, we'll talk about how to clear the context menu of the Explorer program in Windows 7.General context menu Windows Explorer- a handy tool. But quickly overgrown with extra points.

Almost every second program considers it its duty to stuff their commands or sub-items into them. Of course, for some types of software this is relevant and in demand by users.As an example, a clause added by a majority antivirus programs- "Check for viruses" (the exact name of different manufacturers is, of course, different).

Why is a clogged context menu bad?

There are difficulties in usability. Simply put, it is more difficult to find the desired item or command in the menu with your eyes, if there are several dozen sub-items, than when there are half a dozen of them. In addition, pop-up submenu blocks are confusing even experienced users, albeit for seconds. And there is nothing to say about newcomers.

Because of the menus clogged with unnecessary rubbish, the system itself begins to slow down, or rather, the explorer (Explorer.exe). Such "brakes" are noticeable even on the newest and most powerful configurations, not to mention the "budget" and "office" options.

It would seem - to uninstall unnecessary program and its associated commands will also be removed. But what if the program is needed, but its items in the context menu are not? In addition, not all programs “clean up after themselves” when uninstalled, i.e. menu items may remain when the program associated with them is no longer in the system.

There are two ways to solve

1. With help system tools(registry editor)
2. Using third party utilities

Note

• You can just press the combination Win + R and type "regedit" (without quotes)
• On Win 7 and 8 Regedit.exe is better to run immediately as administrator

Important! Before further steps, you need to export the editable subsection !

Make it simple. Right click on the name of the subsection - "Export" ...

In the window that opens, the system will “ask” what to export (a separate branch or the entire registry), in which folder to save the copy and under what name. In the future, if necessary, you can return everything “to the way it was” with a simple double click on this copy file (import back) and restart the computer to be sure.

So. You need to find and open a branch:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlersand delete unnecessary context menu items (same as in screenshot 1, just select the "Delete" command).In addition, you should immediately look atHKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\OpenWithList

Here are the entries of programs from the sub-item of the context menu "Open with". Cleaning it, as a rule, gives a very noticeable increase in the speed of the conductor. In the same way, you can clear the context menu for folders in branches from unnecessary:

• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell
• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shellex\ContextMenu Handlers
• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellHKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

And for certain types of files in entries like "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.<расширение файла>". For example - "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.avi".

The advantages of this method

• Does not require installation extra programs
• All changes are reversible

Cons of this method

• Rather time-consuming process (manually edit a lot of parameters).
• Difficult for novice users.
• Some programs are listed in the above sections not by their own name, but by a “human-intelligible” identifier (this can be seen in screenshot 3). As a result, they must first be "identified".
• There is a risk of “hooking” the commands and points of the system itself (once again, emphasis on the importance of pre-exporting backups!).

Installing a specialized utility

There are quite a few programs of this type. Good feedback is about the program ContextEdit. But she's paid. There are also free CCleaner (we read how to use the program). And the program Context Menu Tuner.But they "see" by no means all the items of the context menu. And they have problems with "rollback" of actions in case of errors. Autoruns from Win Sysinternals requires professional knowledge. This is clearly not a level for beginners.

Against their background, a fairly reliable and simple program ShellExView by Nirsoft. You can download it from this link. Install the program, copy the crack ShExView_lng.ini to root folder programs and run.The program is easy to bring to a form understandable even for beginners.

"Settings" "Filtering by Extension Type" "Explorer Menu".

And it's easy to edit - there is a "Deactivate" command, i.e., an unnecessary item can simply be disabled without deleting it. In case of an error, it can be turned back on in two mouse clicks (the “Activate” command).

pros

• There is an archived version (does not require installation)
• Doesn't install its own toolbars in browsers, doesn't crawl into startup and the Internet on its own, doesn't offer any advertising nonsense in its interface

Minuses

• Russifier ShExView_lng.ini must be copied separately to the program folder
• The availability of new versions must be checked on your own. official website

Conclusion

However, these two aspects can be attributed to the minuses very conditionally. That's basically all I wanted to say about this. I think this article will be helpful...

Explorer's context menu is the menu that appears when you click RMB (Right Mouse Button) on some object (file or folder) or simply on empty place in a folder or desktop. If your system is new, then the context menu will be relatively empty. Is that just added from the drivers for the video card, for example like this:

but if the system has been installed for a long time, then there will be more such points. For example like this:

As you can see, over time, in addition to the standard menu items, more were added from installed programs. On the one hand, it's convenient. After all, you do not need to launch a shortcut or search for a program, but you can directly perform actions immediately from the context menu. But on the other hand, over time, there are a lot of such items, and sometimes the context menu even has to be scrolled up or down in search of the necessary items.
Therefore, sometimes you want to remove these items so as not to interfere. After all, you do not use all the points often.

So how remove item from context menu.

In order to remove a program item from the context menu (KM for short), you can use both the standard methods of the Operating System itself, and using the programs themselves or specially designed ones.

The easiest thing to remove is to look in the settings of the program (which you want to remove) for the desired item. It is usually located somewhere in Integrations or Upload/Add. For example, in order to remove the item of the famous WinRAR from KM, you need to uncheck Shell integrations:

Other programs may also have similar settings.

Another thing is when you did not find the necessary settings for deletion or they do not exist at all (it happens sometimes). Then you can use in a standard way the systems itself, namely editing .
I immediately warn you that before starting work it would be better to play it safe and do backup register.
So, we launch the registry and go to the branch
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/*/shellexe/ContextMenuHandlers

and see here these same items from the context menu.
Now we right-click on the desired item (the item from the CM that you want to delete) and select Delete:

We agree with the following warning:

reboot and check. The point should be gone.

If not gone, then look at the branch
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFileSystemObjects\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers
and do the same.

On a note:
If you want to delete an item specifically from CM -> Create

then you need to know the type of file () that is being created. For example for Microsoft Office Access file extension .accdb , which means you need to look for it in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT registry branch, and delete the ShellNew subsection there

If you want to remove from the KM those items that appear when you RMB on folders, then you need to look at the branches:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

For the "Open with ..." item, the branch answers
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\OpenWithList

For KM Logical drives branches:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

You can also delete items using special programs. For example using ShellExView

Its principle is simple: select the desired item and click on the red circle at the top of the program. The main thing here is to Type was Context menu

Now a little about how create your own item in the context menu.
The fact is that to add such an item for folders or certain files, as well as on an "empty" place using the registry will not work. You can only assign it to when it opens with RMB on the Desktop. Therefore, I recommend reading the article and using what is described there.

Well, or use another utility - Ultimate Windows Context Menu Customizer() which has a bunch of features, but in English. And there we only need to select the item and delete it:

If you are interested in more details and do not understand, then write in the comments and I will help. There, in the left column, you need to select the item (computer, folder, files, etc.) where the context menu is called, and to the right, select what to delete and click the Remove Item button at the bottom. If you are friends with English, then you will understand.

You can guess how to add your program to KM -> Create if you carefully read the entire article, namely about deleting one of this item. You just need to create a subsection on the contrary and write for the desired extension.

In general, the article turned out to be a little chaotic and more about removing from the context menu, because. I think that this is more relevant, and there is an article about adding. Therefore, if something is not clear - write in the comments. Let's figure it out.

In this article, we will talk about the explorer context menu. And to be more precise, about how to add or remove various items and links in it. This menu appears every time we right-click on any element on the desktop, in windows, and even on empty space. On the newly installed operating system it will be relatively empty. In addition to video card drivers and standard sections, you will not see anything there.

Over time, various programs and applications will fill this menu, and it may already look something like this:

Often in other applications, everything looks about the same.

But if no settings were found, then there are a few more steps to take. Indeed, in this case, it is necessary to correct the registry using the registry editor. Therefore, just in case, we make a backup copy of the registry. After that, we launch the registry editor and go to this path: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/*/shellexe/ContextMenuHandlers

Adding items to the context menu using the utility

Here, adding a new item by simply editing the registry will not work. Therefore, we will use special program Ultimate Windows Context Menu Customizer. Which allows you to flexibly customize the context menu. For example, we can select unnecessary sections in the menu and delete them.

If anyone has any difficulties, write in the comments to the article and I will be happy to help you.