How can I customize my WinXP right click menus?

  • Thread starter Thread starter aychamo
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around customizing the right-click context menus in Windows XP, specifically for file types like .mp3. Participants explore methods to remove unwanted options from these menus, sharing registry editing techniques and solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about how to remove excessive options from the right-click menu for .mp3 files in Windows XP.
  • Another participant suggests using the registry editor (regedit) to navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and delete specific keys under shell or shellex to remove unwanted options.
  • A participant confirms that the registry editing advice helped them remove most unwanted options but still struggles with Media Player entries.
  • A later reply shares a method to remove Media Player shell integration by using the command "regsvr32 /u wmpshell.dll," referencing an external source for further assistance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the effectiveness of registry editing for customizing right-click menus, but there is no consensus on the complete removal of Media Player options, as some still encounter difficulties.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential risks associated with editing the registry, as well as the possibility that some entries may not be removable through the discussed methods.

aychamo
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Hey there

When I am in my WinXP Pro, and I right click on a file, say a .mp3 file, I get a TON of options of stuff to do with the .mp3 file. For example:

Edit with Dreamweaver
Add to WinAmps Bookmark List
Open
Play
Copy to Cd or Device
Qeue it U
Add to Playlist
Play with Media Player
MP3/Tag Studio
WinZip

I'd really like to remove most of these from the right click menus. Does anyone know how to do this?
 
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Goto start, choose run and then type regedit. Select HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and then goto directory, and under directory u will find keys named shell (or) shellex. Expand these keys to find out which of the right click options they represent. Delete the ones that u do not want.
 
Hey! That helped get most of them, the rest I just searched in the registry. Thank you!
 
Hmm. Well, I've managed to get rid of all the programs that shouldn't even be looking at it (Dreamweaver, etc.) I still can't get the Media Player stuff out of it. Oh well though, it is still an improvement.
 
aychamo said:
Hmm. Well, I've managed to get rid of all the programs that shouldn't even be looking at it (Dreamweaver, etc.) I still can't get the Media Player stuff out of it. Oh well though, it is still an improvement.
I know this thread is over a year old... but i was just searching the net (which brought me here) for the same info and came across this. The below quote worked for me.
traxx said:
To remove the shell integration (play with media player stuff in right click menu):

Start -> Run -> regsvr32 /u wmpshell.dll
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=244247&st=0&p=584924619&#entry584924619

Thouhgt it might help someone out in the furture.