Add to Explorer's "all files" context menu

[Shrum]

? regarding the HKCR registry tree:

I'm trying to create an entry into the Windows Explorer contect menu so when *any* file is right-clicked on, my menu item appears.

Under HKCR, there is a key for "folders" and one for "drives" but what is the key for addding context menus for all files? There is no "files" key and "*" doesn't have the "Shell" subkey.

What key do I need to write to to achieve this?

TIA

=============================
Sean Shrum
Shrum Consulting
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[bcastner]

Not all is in the registry:

The items on a context menu come from one of two places: shell commands stored within the system Registry, or context menu handlers. The type of technology used to add the command is generally transparent to the end user, butdoes make a difference. Windows Explorer lets you add or remove Registry-based shell commands, but provides no control at all over context menu handlers. ContextEdit lets you control both types of context menu items and adds other features as well.

Utility, ContextEdit, freeware:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,61299,00.asp

Additional details and Utilities:

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/slowrightclick.htm

 

[Shrum]

I was aware of such apps (thanx) but these do not address my need.

I need to code this into an app I'm writing so I can't use a third party tool.

=============================
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[bcastner]

Context Handlers:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/e...hell_int/shell_int_programming/std_ifaces.asp

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/e...de/shell_adv/namespaceextension/namespace.asp

File Association Verbs and other Shell Extensions:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...ell_basics/shell_basics_extending/context.asp

Desk Bands:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/shellcc/platform/shell/programmersguide/shell_adv/bands.asp

 

[Shrum]

Eeek...

Those links refer to using the built-in functions of the OS to create to entries.

I'm scripting (and later compiling) my tool with a open-source scripting language called AutoITScript (I love this program). I haven't programmed in anything else in over 3 years (I can do everything with this w/o having to fork out $,$$$ for MS dev kits).

I was kinda hoping that there was a simple key that I could edit (still hoping for). I got the context menus working for data-type:drives and data-type:folders, just not for data-type:all files (if it even exists). I figure I can edit the keys of all the file assoiciations that I want to support but I'd rather just do all of them in one shot.

I'll parouse the MS docs a bit but so far, their a bit on the technical side and I haven't found the mystical key name I'm looking for yet.

=============================
Sean Shrum - Shrum Consulting
Blog:

http://blog.shrum.net

Code:

http://code.shrum.net

Consulting:

http://consulting.shrum.net

Updates:

http://updates.shrum.net

 

[bcastner]

There is not an All Files association.

 

[Shrum]

For now, I've registered under individual file types and that works.

I'll research the handlers some more, there has to be a way to address this (WinZip and other apps do it so I know there is a way).

Thanks for the info and links.

=============================
Sean Shrum - Shrum Consulting
Blog:

http://blog.shrum.net

Code:

http://code.shrum.net

Consulting:

http://consulting.shrum.net

Updates:

http://updates.shrum.net

 

[bcastner]

Winzip and others add Context handlers. This is as close to an "All Files" as you get.

See, for an Add example of Notepad:

http://personal-computer-tutor.com/abc2/v11/vic11.htm