More and more, the computer has become an essential tool for working, which is why we usually use it for a large number of daily tasks. That is why the more facilities we have at the time of its use, the more comfortable our work will be and the greater our productivity on a day-to-day basis. One of the Windows tools that we use the most is the contextual menu through which we can perform different functions related to a file, program or folder and that we do not always have everything ordered that we should.
The Windows context menu is that panel that we access when we right-click on a specific Windows element. In it some applications are installed through tickets so that we can have faster access. It is likely that over time our context menu will have a large number of entries that are out of order, causing our system to become impractical to use.
This is something that we must take care of since this panel can serve us, well used, as a shortcut to locate and execute different functions that make it up. Therefore, if we are able to adapt it and have it configured to our needs, we may be able to save a great deal of time.
In order to organize the contextual menu, Windows offers us the possibility of doing it from its own registry editor. In the same way, we can choose some third-party applications that can help us with this work. That is why today we are going to check how we can add or remove items from the Windows context menu.
Delete items from Registry Editor
The Registry Editor is a software that is included by default and that allows us to view and modify the database where all the Windows 10 settings are stored, as well as the installed applications and the computer user accounts.
To be able to edit elements of the contextual menu through it we must access using the key combination “Windows + R” to launch the command “Execute” where we will write “regedit”. In the Registry Editor window that will appear, we must establish the following path: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT / / shellex / ContextMenuHandlers
Once located in the established route, we can display the available list where we can find the entries that we want to delete. By right-clicking on each one we must select the “Delete” option. In this way we can delete those entries in the context menu that we consider are unnecessary for our use. Of course, it is important to be careful, since if we delete a registry incorrectly it can negatively affect the stability of the operating system.
ShellNewHandler
To organize the content of the contextual menu we can use a tool called ShellNewHandler. It is completely free and we can download it from this link . It is not necessary to install it, as it is a portable version, so it will be enough to unzip it and run it to start using it.
Once we execute it, a menu appears where all the applications found in the context menu are found. If we want to deactivate it, it will only be necessary to uncheck its corresponding box and click on the “Apply” button. After a few seconds the changes will be applied to the system resulting in the disappearance of the contextual menu of these entries. With this we will get everything more organized. In addition, we avoid loading entries that we are not going to use.
Easy Context Menu
This application allows us to perform different actions with which to organize our contextual menu in Windows. We can add and remove content so that we can access the most used components quickly and easily. It is a free and portable tool that we can download from its website .
Once downloaded, we must unzip the ZIP file and run the executable file. We will have an option for 32-bit systems and another for 64-bit systems. Its main menu will appear with six categories: “Contextual Desktop Menu”, “Contextual Menu for Equipment”, “Contextual Menu for Disks”, “Contextual Menu for Folders”, “Contextual Menu for Files” and “Contextual Menu for Executables” . We can fold or unfold each menu to have a better organized view.
The application itself incorporates several designed items that we can incorporate into our menus simply by selecting them. We can also eliminate them by unchecking their corresponding box.
If we want to add any program to the list we can do it with the “List Editor”, represented by an icon in the shape of a mouse with a gear. When opening the editor we must drag and drop the executable file of the application that we want to insert and finally click on “Save changes”.
ShellMenuNew
This application is characterized by lightweight and portable software that is in charge of displaying a list with the available elements in our contextual menu and gives us the possibility of disabling all those that we do not use. This program does not include complicated options so it is accessible for all types of users. To start we must download it for free from this link.
As it is a portable application, it does not need installation, it is only necessary to unzip the ZIP file and run the executable file. Its main menu will appear where we can see all the elements that make up our contextual menu. The information displayed includes the menu extension, text and type, status (enabled / disabled), new file details, along with the registry key for each item.
Next, we will only have to place ourselves on top of the item we want to delete and click on the right button to select the option “Disable Selected Menu Items” (or press F7). Once this is done, we will see how the menu appears deactivated.
At any time we can re-enable the application , by right-clicking on it and within the options that appear we select “Enable Selected Menu Items” (or press F8). Once done, we will see in the menu how it will appear available again.
MainMaid
This free tool will allow us to manage the entries in the context menu for both Windows and Internet Explorer. We will only have to download it from here and install it on our computer. Once executed, its main menu will appear.
At the top of the menu we find the “Internet Explorer” and “Windows Explorer” tabs. We select the desired one and all the elements that compose it will appear. The Windows Explorer entries are grouped into different categories so that we can find the desired item more easily (menu items, directories, drives and folders). To be able to eliminate them, simply uncheck the desired option . In case we want to add it again, it will be as easy as re-marking it.
