NOTE: This tutorial has been featured by Microsoft. AskVG was the first website posting this trick.
UPDATE: Windows 7 users visit this tutorial.
Here is a tutorial to add any desired program shortcut in Desktop context menu of Windows Vista and Windows 7 as shown in following screenshot:
1. Type regedit in RUN or Start Menu search box and press Enter. Now go to:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell
Under this key, create another key with any name and in right-side pane set its value to the label, which you want to show in desktop context menu, like Media Player, Winamp, Firefox, anything else.
2. Now create another key under this newly created key with name command and in right-side pane set its value to the exact path of application, like:
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe
C:\Program Files\Winamp\winamp.exe
etc...
3. That's it. Now you can check your favorite application shortcut in desktop context menu.
4. You can create as many shortcut as you want. Simply create a separate key for all the applications.
5. Following is a ready-made code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\WMP]
@="Windows Media Player"[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\WMP\command]
@="C:\\Program Files\\Windows Media Player\\wmplayer.exe"
Just change the label and path to your desired application and save with the name "vishal.reg" (including the quotes) and run it.
You can also set the application shortcut to show only when you press <SHIFT> key by adding "Extended" String value in right-side pane of the newly created key:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\WMP]
@="Windows Media Player"
"Extended"=""[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\WMP\command]
@="C:\\Program Files\\Windows Media Player\\wmplayer.exe"
Now that's another benefit to use Windows Vista or Windows 7. We have checked this method in Windows XP and it doesn't work there.
PS: Windows XP users can visit following tutorial:
Add Your Favorite Program Shortcut in Desktop Context Menu in Windows XP
This article was posted by VG in following section: Windows 7, Windows Vista.
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M4573R
By both Windows says: Acces Denied. I've tried it in ms-dos, but the same error.
You know what to do?
M4573R
Yeah! It works perfect! Thank you very much man!
AmonRa
Hi VG,
what if I would like to add another program under "New" in the desktop context menu? Is there a way of doing that?
Thanks!
VG
Hi AmonRa
Nope. There is no way to add program shortcut under New menu. You can only add the shortcut above New menu. ;)
AmonRa
Good to know - I was struggling :)
Thanks!
antonio21
ok how can ı show desktop icon for unattanded seup vista (my computer,nework iexplorer,user folder) have reg file
VG
^^ Can you please be more specific about your query?
kane
ok i added media player in the context menu, but i cant figure out how to make it actually play whats inside the folder.
i.e - it just opens media player, does not automatically play whats inside the folder.
any help would be apreciated.
keep up the good work!
VG
^^ Yep. It'll open only the application. Nothing can be done.
Andy
Hey, thanks that was exactly what i was looking for.
One question though. Is it possible to get the programs icon to show up on the contextmenu?