Any Windows user in everyday work constantly turns to the use of special menus called through RMB. Indeed, in some situations, many actions to open files, call some functions of the system or programs are greatly simplified. However, most of the operations presented there, if it is only about the Windows settings, and not about the installed applications, the user simply does not need. In addition, in the PCM menu, often some items that are essential for everyday tasks may not be available. Below we consider some of the simplest ways to customize the menu of Windows-systems, giving preference to the lists presented in the "Explorer". But it’s worth mentioning right away that it is better not to touch the system items that Windows itself creates, and not the applications during the installation process.
Simplest way to add open file menu items
One of the most commonly used operations is opening files of a certain type (format) using some kind of application. If an association for a format is specified, it will be automatically opened in the program associated with it. But sometimes it is necessary to edit the same type of files in different applications, if, for example, the standard Windows applet does not suit you for some reason.
Everyone knows that for this, in the PCM menu, the item "Open with ..." is used. But the desired program among the available may not be displayed! In this case, you must use the choice of another application, scroll down to the very bottom, and then use the “Other applications” item, on which there is an arrow pointing down.
If the desired program was not in the list, click on the application search item on this computer and specify the location of the program executable on the hard disk, in a virtual partition or on removable media. After that, even if you do not install the use of the selected program to open all files of this type, the application will automatically appear in the RMB menu.
Configuring the Explorer context menu: basic registry actions
All this is good, but you can’t get rid of unnecessary operations by the above method. In order to customize the menu, you will have to slightly modify the registry entries located in the HKCR section. They are sections of the same name called ContextMenuHandlers, which are nested in ShellEx or shellex directories in four directories:
- AllFileSystemObjects;
- Directory
- Folder
- Drive
You just need to remove unnecessary subkeys from the destination folders with the names of the programs or actions to be performed, and then reboot the system.
If you need to configure the file open menu using a manually selected application, you must find the OpenWithList subkey in the same registry branch.
Note: in order to avoid damage to the registry due to incorrect actions, it is highly recommended that you first make a backup copy of it using the export function in the file menu.
Setting menu items in installed programs
Sometimes for programs that integrate their own operations into the PCM system menus, it is not necessary to use registry editing at all. This can be explained by the example of archiver applications. Many probably noticed that after their installation in the PCM menu there are too many unnecessary items corresponding to the quick call of operations with archive data. To set your own options, for example, in the WinRAR program, go to the settings via the options menu on the main panel, go to the integration tab and simply disable the embedding of program commands in the OS shell.
If you need to perform additional (advanced) actions, click the button of the context menu items, and then select the setting (activation) item of a command from the menu for use in Explorer, then save the changes.
Using the CCleaner Optimizer
A popular optimizer program called CCleaner also looks good. It has a special section of the service in which you need to go to the startup section and navigate to the settings tab of the context menu. Here the field of activity is wider.
You can not only disable commands for some commonly used applications, but also remove some system operations or even get rid of commands built into antivirus programs. Just highlight an unnecessary item or several, and then press the power button located to the right.
Changing Menu Options in ShellExView Utility
Another utility that allows you to easily and easily configure the menu and the "Explorer", and system commands, called ShellExView and is the most common portable application. The program interface, however, is English-speaking, but it will not be difficult to deal with it.
Sort all the presented commands by type (Type), and then you can proceed to edit the items for which the Context menu is indicated in the type field.
To deactivate a component, you just need to click the button with the red circle on the panel above. The disadvantage of the program is that adding your own items will be quite problematic (if not to say that it is impossible at all).
UWCMC app
But in this application, you can add the desired operation without problems. To do this, in the running program, you can either drag the desired command from the right block and place it in the desired system menu or use the manual addition of items.
To do this, in the Add / Edit Item block, enter an arbitrary command name, after which you will need to open the command settings menu to add the corresponding file (optionally executable). Through the browse button, find the desired object, and then select the icon for it or set the desired position (top, middle, bottom). The item will be added to the group marked in the list of sections in the upper left.
Brief Summary
Finally, it remains to draw a line and see which of the presented solutions looks the most relevant. By and large, without the necessary knowledge to make changes to the registry is not worth it (it is fraught with irreversible consequences if you do not make a backup in advance). But the easiest way is to use the programs presented above. It seems that CCleaner will be the best option, since this application is completely Russified and looks simpler when compared with two other utilities. But these programs are portable and do not need to be installed on the hard drive.
If you need to quickly edit the Start menu, the easiest way is to use the free Win + X Menu Editor application. Any user will understand it even without a detailed description.