How to clear the context menu in windows 10. How to change the right-click menu. Clearing the Windows Context Menu

For those who have been using the Windows operating system for a short time, the idea of removing items from the Explorer context menu is unlikely to be particularly interesting. But if you have been working with Windows for quite a long time without reinstalling and install various programs on your computer from time to time, then it is likely that your context menu has grown to serious sizes and looks something like this:

To make the context menu more convenient, you can clear it of unnecessary and unused items. There are special programs for editing the context menu, such as FileMenu Tools or ShellExView. However, in this article we will learn how to remove items from the context menu using standard Windows OS tools.

Removing items from the context menu

The easiest way to remove items from the context menu is to look in the program settings and uncheck the corresponding items.

However, this is not always possible, since some programs do not provide a function for disabling items in the Explorer context menu. In this case, you can use the registry editor and remove items from the context menu, so to speak, manually.

I would like to warn you that before carrying out any manipulations with the Windows system registry, it is very advisable to first save a backup copy of the registry in a safe place. This is quite easy to do. In the registry window you need to open the menu File and select item Export.

To restore the registry using a backup copy, you only need to double-click on the previously saved file and agree to add information to the registry.

So, we launch the System Registry Editor using the command regedit in the window Execute(Win+R). Then you need to go to the registry branch: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers. Here you will see most of the context menu items.

To remove an unnecessary element from the context menu, right-click on it and select Delete.

If any context menu element could not be found in the above registry section, then it is located here - HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\Shellex\ContextMenuHandlers.

In order to remove items from the context menu that appear when you right-click on a folder, go to the section HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Shellex\ContextMenuHandlers, as well as in the section HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers.

If you need to remove any item from the context menu To open with, then you need to look here: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\OoenWithList.

By the way, if, when you try to make changes to the system registry, the message “Editing the registry is prohibited by the system administrator” appears, advice from . It describes in detail how to remove the ban on access to registry editing tools.

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In this informational article you will learn about how to call the context menu for any file, folder, shortcut, etc. using several different methods.

The context menu is a list of available commands that depend on the currently selected object. Folders, files, desktop or various programs that each user works with every day, almost all of them have a context menu that differs in the number of items, and therefore capabilities.

How to call the context menu?

To do this, you just need to right-click on the selected object, but in the keyboard shortcut Shift+F10 the menu of the currently active window is called up or we simply press the key to call up the context menu (you can read about this key and other useful keyboard shortcuts in this article).

If you click on the desktop in an empty space RMB(right mouse button), then a menu will appear with the sections available in it, and if you click on the file, then other sections will appear, and the shortcut will also have personal differences in the items, etc.

This is actually what contextuality is all about, that is, the composition of sections varies depending on the specific type of object.

Advanced context menu

To call it, hold down the key Shift and right-click on the selected object, which will cause the list to increase by several points, unlike the usual call.

In the example given, these differences can be observed.

On the left screenshot there is a standard right-click call on an object, and on the right screenshot there is an extended call, where a command line call tab has been added ( cmd.exe).

When a key combination Shift+click RMB the menu will always expand from one to several new items, which can be very useful in some cases.
I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that some tabs have a small arrow on the right side; if you hover your cursor over it, an additional submenu will pop up with a list of additional tabs.

To expand the functions of the desktop context menu, there are special third-party utilities that can add new items, for example, you can add some programs and launch them from there in order not to clutter the desktop with shortcuts, personally, I think this is not really necessary.

There are also utilities, on the contrary, for removing unnecessary items from the menu that may remain from some past long-deleted program; such a utility can be useful.

All these utilities, if you suddenly need them, can be easily found on the Internet.

Of course, all deleting or adding actions can be performed through the computer registry, but this method is not at all for a beginner.
And finally, watch a short video tutorial on this topic, I’ll say goodbye to you with this.

Valery Semenov, moikomputer.ru

Context menu(English)

Context menu

contextmenu, pop-upmenu) is a hidden menu that appears when you right-click. This menu is a list of commands and functions for the selected object or element (folder, file, selected text, etc.).

Pop-up menu, as it is often called, has different content depending on the type of element and program selected. For example, if you select a folder and right-click on it, then in the context menu that opens you will see commands that can be executed for this folder (open, copy, rename, etc.).

Below is an example of a pop-up menu for selected text in Microsoft Word.

The context menu can be opened not only for selected objects, but also in empty space (for example, the desktop, inside a folder, taskbar).

How to open the context menu?

There are several ways to open the context menu on Windows operating systems.

In OS X, a pop-up menu can be opened by holding down the Control key and left-clicking on the desired object.

Context menu in Windows

The menu is the most important element of the graphical user interface, with which you can select the desired program option.

Types of menus on a computer:

by execution – text and graphic
by function - main application menu, pop-up, context and system menu

What is a context menu and how to call it

A context menu is a separate type of menu on a computer; a list of available commands for working with this file.

Where is the context menu?

Its storage location is the Windows registry, which consists of two sections. One part of the programs is stored in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell section, the other in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers section.

How does the context menu open?

There are different ways to bring up the context menu

There is a special button at the bottom of the keyboard, between the ALT key and the CTRL key. It shows additional functions and actions available for a given file. It usually has a sign and a mouse pointer on it. This button brings up the context menu.

It is used if you need to highlight shortcuts to necessary files, as well as inside already running programs. When you click this button, the context menu is called up according to the current situation.

Right mouse button on keyboard can also be successfully replaced with this button.

This method is for those who prefer to use the keyboard, while you can open the context menu using the mouse.

Move the mouse over the desired file and select it by left-clicking. Right-clicking the highlighted area will open a context menu. When you select multiple items, the context menu will display the actions available for the selected group of files.

How to open the context menu when working on a laptop or netbook? On these devices, the mouse function is transferred to the built-in touchpad. The context menu is called up by right-clicking on the highlighted area.

How to customize the right-click context menu

For the right mouse button, a simple program called Context Menu Tuner will help you configure the context menu. She will tell you how to configure the Windows 7 context menu.

Let's look at how to configure the right mouse button.

Download and run the program

The program interface consists of two different panels: the left one contains a list of commands supported by the program, the right one includes the OS explorer areas.
How to change the right click menu. Clearing the Windows Context Menu

Set the Russian language in the settings

Add a command. To do this, select it on the left side and “connect” it with the preferred element on the right. Click “Add”.

Other commands are added in the same way.

To delete a command, select it and click “Delete”

The right-click context menu is now configured.

Published: March 10, 2014, 12:06

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How to add or remove items from the context menu?

A pointing device, the mouse, is often used to select menu items and commands on the toolbar. When using a mouse, pressing the left button usually selects and specifies a point on the screen; Right-clicking brings up a context menu. The form and content of the menu depend on the position of the mouse pointer and the state of the task: for example, it provides quick access to options needed for the current command.

Right-clicking in the drawing area brings up one of six context menus:

standard - contains a set of standard functions designed, in particular, for working with the clipboard, zooming, and panning. To bring up this menu, you must deselect objects, end the currently active command, and right-click;
editing - combines functions designed for editing objects. The set of functions may vary depending on the type of selected object. To bring up the menu, you must select one or more objects, end the currently active command, and right-click;
command - contains a set of functions that make it easier to execute commands using the mouse. This also includes the options for the current command that appear on the command line. To call this menu, you need to right-click when executing a command;
object snapping - allows you to select or configure object snapping modes and enable a coordinate filter. To call the menu, right-click while holding down the -Shift key;
pens - contains functions that allow you to edit using pens. To call the menu, select the handles on the object and right-click;
OLE - combines functions that allow you to edit OLE objects. To call the menu, you need to right-click on the OLE object inserted into the picture.

Object Snaps, Handles, and OLE context menus are always enabled so you can call them at any time. Context menus are standard, editing and command can be disabled.

In this case, right-clicking the mouse will correspond to pressing the Enter key. By default, these three context menus are enabled.

For other elements of the AutoCAD window, except for the drawing area, you can call the following context menus:

toolbar. To enable/disable any panel or to configure panels, you must right-click on any of them. To display a list of panel groups, right-click on the free area to the right of the standard toolbar;
command line. To select one of the six most recently executed commands, or to access some of the command line functions, you must right-click the command line or command window;
dialog box (this menu is not available for all dialog boxes). Typically, context menus are associated with either drop-down lists or value entry fields and allow you to delete, rename individual list items, or work with the clipboard. Context menus can be associated with some other window elements. To call the menu, right-click on an element in the dialog box;
status bar. To switch the drawing mode or change settings, you must right-click on the area of the line where the current coordinates are displayed, or on any button for switching the drawing mode or changing settings;
Model/Layout tabs. To open print windows and configure page settings, as well as manage sheets, right-click on the Model tab or one of the Layout tabs.

The Explorer context menu is the menu that appears when you right-click (Right Mouse Button) on some object (file or folder) or simply on an empty space in a folder or Desktop. If your system is new, then the context menu will be relatively empty. Is it just something added from the video card drivers, for example like this:

but if the system has been installed for a long time, then there will be more such points. For example like this:

As you can see, over time, in addition to the standard menu items, more installed programs were added. On the one hand it is convenient. After all, you don’t need to launch a shortcut or search for a program, but you can directly perform actions right from the context menu. But on the other hand, over time there are a lot of such items and sometimes you even have to scroll up or down the context menu in search of the necessary items.
Therefore, sometimes you want to remove these items so as not to get in the way. After all, you don’t use all the points often.

So how remove item from context menu.

In order to remove a program item from the context menu (CM for short), you can use both standard methods of the Operating System itself, and using the programs themselves or specially designed ones.

The easiest way to remove it is to look in the settings of the program (which you want to remove) for the desired item. Usually it is located somewhere in Integrations or Loading/adding. For example, in order to remove the famous WinRAR item from KM, you need to uncheck the Shell integrations:

Other programs may also have similar settings.

It’s another matter when you haven’t found the necessary settings to delete or they don’t exist at all (this happens too). Then you can use the standard method of the systems itself, namely editing.
I warn you right away that before starting work it would be better to play it safe and make a backup copy of the registry.
So, let's launch the registry and go to the branch
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/*/shellexe/ContextMenuHandlers

and we see here these same items from the context menu.
Now right-click on the desired item (the item from the KM that you want to delete) and select Delete:

We agree with the following warning:

reboot and check. The item should disappear.

If you haven't missed it, check out the thread.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFileSystemObjects\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers
and do the same.

On a note:
If you want to delete an item specifically from KM -> Create

then you need to know the type of file () that is being created. For example, for Microsoft Office Access the file extension is .accdb, which means you need to look for it in the registry branch HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, and then delete the ShellNew subkey there

If you want to remove from KM those items that appear when you RMB on folders, then you need to look at the branches:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

For the item "Open with..." the thread answers
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\OpenWithList

For KM Logical drives branches:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

You can also delete items using special programs. For example using ShellExView

Its principle is simple: select the desired item and click on the red circle at the top of the program. The main thing here is that Type was Context menu

Now a little about how create your own item in the context menu.
The fact is that adding such an item for folders or specific files, as well as in an “empty” space using the registry will not work. You can only assign it to when it opens with RMB on the Desktop. Therefore, I recommend reading the article and taking advantage of what is described there.

Well, or use another utility - Ultimate Windows Context Menu Customizer() which has a bunch of features, but in English. And there we only need to select the item and delete it:

If anyone is interested in more details and can’t figure it out, write in the comments and I’ll help. There, in the left column you need to select an item (computer, folder, files, etc.) where the context menu is called up, and to the right, select what to delete and click the Remove Item button at the bottom. If you are fluent in English, you will understand.

You can guess how to add your program to KM -> Create if you read the entire article carefully, namely about deleting one of this items. You just need to create a subsection on the contrary and write for the desired extension.

In general, the article turned out to be a little chaotic and more about removing it from the context menu, because... I think this is more relevant, and there is an article about adding. Therefore, if anything is not clear, write in the comments. Let's figure it out.

You will need a small utility called Right Click Enhancer. It offers an impressive list of commands that can be added to the context menu of any version of Windows, starting with Vista.

After launching Right Click Enhancer (if you are confused by the English interface, click Language → Russian to switch to Russian) you will see a set of tools, each of which makes its own changes to the context menu. Let's look at the most interesting of them.

Right Click Tweaker

Using the Right Click Tweaker tool, you can add almost two dozen useful commands to the context menu. Here are a few of the most notable ones.

"Copy to" opens a window for selecting a folder into which you can copy the current object.
"Move to" acts like the previous command, only it does not copy, but moves the object.
"Copy to Path" saves the path to the current object to the clipboard. This option can save time if you need, for example, to upload an image to a website or graphic editor. You simply paste the path to the file instead of entering it manually.
"New folder" creates a folder immediately from the context menu, while the standard Windows method requires you to first go to the “Create” submenu and then select “Folder”.
"Control Panel" opens the corresponding section with system settings.

To add a command to the context menu, just mark it with a checkmark.

Unfortunately, some Right Click Tweaker options do not yet work correctly with Cyrillic characters. Therefore, commands like “Copy Contents,” which saves the contents of text files to a buffer, are best used only with English-language texts.

New Menu Editor

There is a “Create” item in the context menu. By default, it can be used to quickly create objects of several types: text document, folder, shortcut and others.

You can significantly expand this list with objects of other formats thanks to the New Menu Editor. Just run this tool and check the required file types. To exclude objects from the list that you do not plan to create, mark them with a cross - they will disappear from the “Create” submenu.

Send To Manager

If you right-click on a folder or file, the “Send” item will appear in the context menu. It contains a small list of folders and programs into which you can export the selected object for storage or playback.

The Send To Manager tool will allow you to grow this list. To add a new directory to the context menu to which you will send objects, launch Send To Manager and click “Add Folder”. If you want to add a program, click “Add File” and select its icon.

All folders and programs added in this way will appear in the “Send” submenu.

Right Click Enhancer Professional

This tool is only available in the paid version of the program. By paying $10, you can add shortcuts to the context menu for quick access to programs, files and folders, as well as create and customize submenus. All other features listed in the article are available for free.