How can I customize my WinXP right click menus?

  • Thread starter Thread starter aychamo
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on customizing right-click context menus in Windows XP Professional. Users can modify these menus by accessing the Windows Registry through the 'regedit' tool. Specifically, navigating to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and expanding the 'shell' or 'shellex' keys allows for the deletion of unwanted options. Additionally, to remove Windows Media Player entries, the command 'regsvr32 /u wmpshell.dll' can be executed via the Run dialog.

PREREQUISITES
  • Familiarity with Windows XP operating system
  • Basic understanding of Windows Registry structure
  • Knowledge of using the Run dialog in Windows
  • Experience with command line operations in Windows
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Windows Registry editing best practices
  • Learn about context menu customization tools for Windows XP
  • Explore the implications of modifying shell extensions
  • Investigate alternative methods for managing Windows Media Player integration
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for Windows XP users, system administrators, and anyone looking to streamline their right-click context menus for improved efficiency.

aychamo
Messages
375
Reaction score
0
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?
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
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.