Right click context menu command

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To add a custom command to the right-click context menu (also known as the context menu or the context menu of the Windows Explorer) in Windows, you need to modify the Windows Registry. Here are the general steps:

Please note: Modifying the Windows Registry can be risky. Ensure you have a backup of your Registry and proceed with caution.

  1. Create a Registry Entry:

    Open the Registry Editor by pressing Win + R, typing regedit, and pressing Enter.

  2. Navigate to the Right Key:

    Navigate to the following Registry key:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell

    This key is for adding a context menu entry for all file types.

  3. Create a New Key:

    Right-click on the shell key, choose "New" > "Key," and give it a name. This name will be displayed in the context menu.

  4. Create a Command:

    Inside the new key, create another key named command. This key will hold the command to be executed when the context menu item is clicked.

  5. Set the Command's Default Value:

    Double-click the (Default) value in the command key, and set it to the full path of the executable you want to run. You can use %1 as a placeholder for the selected file.

  6. Add an Icon (Optional):

    You can add an icon to the context menu item by creating a new string value named Icon in the same command key and setting its value to the path of the icon file.

  7. Close the Registry Editor:

    Close the Registry Editor after making the necessary changes.

  8. Test the Context Menu:

    Right-click on a file in Windows Explorer, and you should see your custom context menu entry. When you click it, the specified command will be executed.

Example:

For example, if you want to create a context menu item that opens the selected file with Notepad:

  1. Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell.
  2. Create a new key named Open with Notepad.
  3. Inside the new key, create a subkey named command.
  4. Set the (Default) value of the command key to "notepad.exe" "%1".
  5. Optionally, you can create a string value named Icon with the value set to the path of the Notepad icon.

Again, please exercise caution when editing the Windows Registry, as incorrect changes can have unintended consequences on your system. Always back up your data and Registry before making changes.