Add an Image in Desktop/Explorer Context Menu in Windows XP

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NOTE: If you are facing problems while saving a file after editing in resource hacker, then make sure you have disabled WFP (Windows File Protection) service using WFP Patcher, it can be found in our “Download” section.

Also if you are getting error “Can’t create file…“, that means you have edited and saved the same file in past and there is a backup file which need to be deleted before saving this file again. Go to the folder containing this file and you’ll see a similar file having “_original” in its name. Delete it and try to save the file in resource hacker.

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This tutorial will help you to add any image in Desktop and Explorer context menu:

So lets begin the tutorial:

1. First download following ZIP file and extract the DLL file from it:

context_menu_image.zip

2. Now register the DLL file by giving following command:

regsvr32 < DLL_File_Location >

i.e., if you saved the DLL file in D:\Image.dll, then give following command:

regsvr32 d:\Image.dll

3. That's it. You'll get the image in context menu.

4. To remove the image simply un-register the DLL file by giving following command:

regsvr32 < DLL_File_Location > /u

NOTE: If you want to change the image, edit the file using Resource Hacker and change the image in the file. You can add any BMP file (max size 96x96).

PS: I got this DLL file in some magazine CD, if anyone knows the person behind this DLL file, please let me know and I'll provide proper credits to him.

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This article was posted in Resource Hacker, Windows XP.

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99 Comments

Riza

Hello, VG, I like your tutorials.
Can you tell me how to change Explorer's context menu color?
Riza

Also when I change picture and I add my own picture when I apply registry alwayes is old image (Genuine Windows). I did all what you said. What I'm missing?
VG

^^ First un-register the DLL file using the command mentioned in Step4, log off and then edit the file with your own bitmap and again register the DLL file.

Reg. to changing background of context menu, its decided by the current Windows theme.
Riza

Thanks, I did'nt logged off. That's reason wahy did'nt worked.
Thanks, VG.
Riza

And what about contxt menu color?
MOHSIN

HI VG,
when i adding
MENUITEM “!*~.VISHAL.~*!”, 33333, MFT_STRING, MFS_GRAYED | MFS_DEFAULT
Just after the:

215 MENUEX
LANGUAGE LANG_ENGLISH, SUBLANG_ENGLISH_US
{
POPUP “”, 0, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED, 0
{

and Before

POPUP "&View", 28674, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED, 0
{

and then i compile, they show compiler error in line, Invalid statement
plz can u claer me where i put that line exactly?
Thanks.
VG

^^ Delete the double quotes "" in the newly added line and re-type them using your keyboard.
MOHSIN

Thanks for ur VG, but still facing problem in Compiling
now iam using my keyboard widout double quotes, see like that:

215 MENUEX
LANGUAGE LANG_ENGLISH, SUBLANG_ENGLISH_US
{
POPUP "", 0, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED, 0
{
MENUITEM !*~.MOHSIN.~*!,33333, MFT_STRING, MFS_GRAYED | MFS_DEFAULT
POPUP "&View", 28674, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED, 0
{

Plz correct me where i do mistake
Thanks.
VG

^^ No no. Double quotes are necessary. I asked you manually type those quotes instead of copying and pasting them.
MOHSIN

Vishal
I already type manually this line but still facing error
okay let me try again, then i'll tell u
thanks.