Add “Windows Apps” Cascading Menu in Windows 7 and Later Desktop Context Menu

This article will help you in adding a new “Windows Apps” cascading menu to Desktop context menu (or right-click menu).

Recently we posted a tutorial for adding your favorite programs shortcuts under cascading menus in Windows 7 Desktop context menu:

Add Cascading Menus for Your Favorite Programs in Windows 7 Desktop Context Menu

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It might become very useful if you want to add your frequently used programs or system tools under separate groups.

Today in this article, we are providing a ready-made registry script which can add a new cascading menu “Windows Apps” in Windows 7 Desktop context menu which contains following useful shortcuts under it:

  • Calculator
  • Character Map
  • Command Prompt
  • Disk Defragmenter
  • Internet Explorer
  • Notepad
  • Paint
  • Problem Steps Recorder
  • Snipping Tool
  • Sound Recorder
  • System Restore
  • Task Scheduler
  • Windows Media Player
  • Wordpad

Windows_7_Windows_Apps_Menu.png

By default, it adds the cascading menu in the middle of context menu. But if you want, you can add it at top or bottom of context menu as shown in following images:

Windows_Apps_at_Bottom.png Windows_Apps_at_Top.png

There are 3 different scripts included in the ZIP file, simply run the desired REG file to add the cascading menu.

There is also an uninstallation script available in the ZIP file so that you can remove the cascading menu.

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PS: If the cascading menu doesn’t work for you, first take ownership of following key in Registry Editor:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CommandStore\Shell

Then run the registry script again.

Also Check:

Published in: Windows 7

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. @VG
    Hello, how can I add “untouched original Windows 7 Snipping Tool & Sticky Notes” to my Windows 7 Starter Edition, thanks!

  2. ^^ I have not tested but you can try to copy their exe files from ultimate, premium edition to Starter edition.

  3. Thanks for this, it was what I needed. How would you add a stand alone exe to the cascade menu? The intended use is to integrate portable apps on a flash drive.
    EG 7zip, if not installed on the host computer, a context entry that points to the flash drive where 7zip portable is saved to.
    Thanks!

  4. thanks for this script, i have a question. what should i write to add regedit to your add/uninstall script ?

  5. ^^ Add following to the script:

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CommandStore\shell\regedit]
    @=”Registry Editor”
    “icon”=”regedit.exe”

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CommandStore\shell\regedit\command]
    @=”regedit.exe”

    And don’t forget to add regedit into value of “SubCommands” under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsApps key.

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