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.

This article was posted in Windows 7, Windows Vista.

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39 Comments

Scott

Thank you Vishal,
always enjoy your site and information............
rajesh kumar

please be patient. It'll appear as soon as rajesh kumar we approve.
Johne

how to add an icon next to the item in the context menu?
VG

^^ Not possible.
Nitin

thanks vishal..nice tutorial, it is of great help for me....now i just right click and get the list of programs i need mostly
saif ali

u can add more items in the new menu using tuneup system control. i'm using 2009 version (8.0.3100)
Karrypto

Is it possible to close an application using the desktop context menu?
VG

^^ No.
Main Ki Karaan

Great Post! Proved very useful to me!