Add Your Favorite Application Shortcut in Desktop Context Menu in Windows Vista and 7

Here is a tutorial to add any application shortcut in desktop context menu of Windows Vista and 7:

1. Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell

now 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. Thats 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 ur desired application and save with the name "vishal.reg" (including the quotes) and run it.

U can also set the application shortcut to show only when u 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 thats another benefit to use Vista and 7. I have checked this in XP but it was not working.

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This article was posted in Windows 7, Windows Vista.

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42 Comments

VG

^^ Nope.
Jim

This is great as well has very handy. How can I set it up (Vista32-SP1) so that added shortcuts come out in a pull-down menu like it does when 'New' is clicked?
Thanks for a great site!
--Jim
VG

^^ Sorry but its not possible.
Daniel Anderson

Great Tutorial VG, I just tested on my Windows 2008 Server that I use as a desktop client !!! Works a treat.

Cheers
Zippy

Hi Vishal, I just found your site by accident. I was searching for info on the Vista sidebar. I have tons of apps installed and I use most of them fairly regularly. I created a custom toolbar that holds all of my app shortcuts. I would love to be able to unclutter my taskbar and desktop and just use context menus. My questions are:

1) Is there any way to add nested subfolders via the 'display properties' menu? Like, Audio apps (which would include a few apps), Video apps (a few apps), etc?

2) Is there a way to create other context menus and add them to my desktop? I know there are theme and skinning programs that do this, but, I would rather not install any of those.

Thanks for such a fantastically helpful site. I have some reading to do
VG

^^ As far as I know its not possible without using 3rd party apps.
George

is it possible to make this work for windows xp pro
by simply replacing dll's, or is there any other way
VG

^^ You can add one program shortcut in XP:

http://www.askvg.com/add-your-favorite-program-shortcut-in-desktop-context-menu-in-windows-xp/
Scott

Great tutorial! I've learned a lot from your site. I've been trying to use your tutorial to get services to work but can't figure it out. Will services work?
Thanks,
Scott
VG

^^ Try following command:

%windir%\system32\mmc.exe /s %windir%\system32\services.msc