19

Similar to the way Notepad++ adds "Edit with Notepad++" to the context menu of all files, or how most Antivirus products will add a global "Scan this file" option, I would like to add a particular program to the context menu for all file types.

Thanks to DOSBox, I'm a little familiar with manually creating file associations and creating context menu options for specific file types.

http://www.dosbox.com/wiki/Associating_the_Configuration_File_in_Windows

However, I've got one program I'd like to add as a context menu globally because it can be used with files that have almost any extension. What registry keys do I need to modify for this, and what common pitfalls should I avoid in order to not break things here?

I'd rather do this manually, so that I'm intimately familiar with what changes I'm making to the system, rather than use a third-party tool. The OS I'm doing this on is Windows 7 x64, but it would be great if the same method could be used all the way back to XP. I can probably figure out the necessary command syntax myself - I just need to know which keys to go after and how to format the commands and labels to be properly recognized in those keys.

e.c
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Iszi
  • 14,163

5 Answers5

22

Here is how you do it with an executable, I would assume it could be done with any program.

Open regedit.exe through the start menu search or run box, and then browse down to the following key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ *\shell

Right-click on “shell” and choose to create a new key, calling it “Open with (your program name)”. Create a new key below that one called “command”. Double-click on the (Default) value in the right-hand pane and enter in the following:

"C:\Folder path where the program resides\Program.exe" "%1"

The change should take effect immediately… just right-click on any file and you’ll see the next menu entry.

.
Screenshots:

. Registry Editor: Creating a key

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Registry Editor: Finished file-command

Source of Information (sort of)

. [Note: Article-comments report author's method works for Vista; and also XP. - Ed.]

e.c
  • 27
Moab
  • 58,769
3

You can also try with this little freeware program:

http://defaultprogramseditor.com/

It just sorted out all the mess for me with .js files. Before that I tried several different ways of adding default handler programs. Highly recommended.

Note that I've got nothing with the developer/publisher of the software. Just a happy new user.

Edit: Oh, just found it's been recommended already: Why can't change the default program to open an extension in Windows 7?

Community
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Alen Siljak
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1

There are lots of freeware to do it. My favorite is ContextEdit (freeware, no ads). Other programs can be found at: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/remove-click-context-menu-items-editors

Dio Phung
  • 879
0

You can also do it with this little freeware program:

 Easy Context Menu
 https://www.sordum.org/7615/easy-context-menu-v1-6/

For example, to add the option to right-click a file in Windows Explorer and edit it using the EditPlus editor, follow the instructions to "Add any program to your context menu" (in the category "File Context Menu"), and add a parameter like the following:

%ProgramFiles%\EditPlus\editplus.exe %1
Scott Slocum
  • 1
-1

Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

Go to: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT*\shell

Right-click shell → New → Key → name it whatever you want (e.g., Open with MyApp).

Inside that key, create another key named command.

Double-click the (Default) value in command, and set it to the full path of your program followed by %1. Example: "C:\Path\To\MyApp.exe" "%1"

Done. The program will now appear when you right-click any file.

Ameer Hamza
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