[PinguJohn]

I have a number of applications that have added items to the context menu when I right-click on a file or folder in Windows Explorer.

I have checked each of the applications options to see if they let me remove the menu item, but they don't.

Is there a way I can get rid of the context menu items I don't want?

 

[nickster_uk]

Yes but you will need to edit the registry to do it. Editing the registry can cause serious problem to your system if done incorrectly so it's important to backup any keys which you edit or the entire registry if possible.

Let me know if you want detailed instructions on what to do and i'll get started for you

 

[PinguJohn]

Hi nickster, thanks for your reply.

Yes I would be very grateful if you could give me detailed instructions on what to do in order to get rid of the context menu items I don't want?

I have edited the registry before and so realise the implications in doing so.

 

[nickster_uk]

Ok, here's what you need to do:

- Click Start -> Run -> type:
regedit
- Click OK
- Expand the following key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell
- This key may have subkeys which relate to context menu items which affect all files. For example, I have two subkeys here:
Rename with NameWiz
&
Scan with Pest Patrol
- If I delete those entries, the corresponding Context Menu entry is removed
- There are quite a few more registry keys which control Context Menu items, so all you need to do is follow the above instructions on the following keys:
All files:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

Directories:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers


Drives:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers

Audio files:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\Directory.Audio\shell\
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\Directory.Audio\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

Video files:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\Directory.Video\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\Directory.Video\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

Image files:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\image\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\image\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers

There are quite a few others that relate to individual file types but that should be enough to do what you need to but if you have any problems, please let me know.

As always with registry editing...either backup the entire registry before you start or back up the individual keys before editing/deleting them.

Hope that helps

 

[PinguJohn]

Thanks nickster

Followed your detailed instructions and managed to delete the items in the context menu that I did not want.

 

[nickster_uk]

You're welcome.

Come back anytime you need any more help

 

[75samsonite]

This video explains it pretty thoroughly.

http://www.howvids.com/Computer/adding.ad2