Get Windows 7 Desktop Context Menu in Vista, Add “Screen Resolution” and “Gadgets” Options

Windows 7 shows 2 extra options in Desktop context menu ( i.e. when you right-click on Desktop). The 2 extra options are:

  • Screen resolution
  • Gadgets

“Screen resolution” shows the graphics card settings page where you can change the monitor and resolution settings.

“Gadgets” opens the Add gadgets window so that you can add new gadgets to your sidebar.

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Both options are quite useful and if you want to add them in Windows Vista, then you can follow this simple and easy tutorial.

After following this tutorial, you’ll get following desktop context menu in Vista:

Win_Vista_Desk_Context_Menu.png

So here are the steps:

To Add “Screen Resolution” Option:

1. Type regedit in RUN or Start Menu Search box and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to following key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell

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3. Now we’ll need to create a new key under “Shell” key. Right-click on “Shell” key and select “New -> Key“. Give the new key name of “Screen resolution” (without quotes).

4. Now we’ll need to create another new key. Right-click on the new key which we created in the last step e.g. Screen resolution and select “New -> Key“. Give the new key name of command.

5. Now select “command” key and in right-side pane, you’ll see “Default” String value. Double-click on it and set its value to as following:

control desk.cpl,,@display

6. That’s it.

To Add “Gadgets” Option:

1. Type regedit in RUN or Start Menu Search box and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to following key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell

3. Now we’ll need to create a new key under “Shell” key. Right-click on “Shell” key and select “New -> Key“. Give the new key name of “Gadgets” (without quotes).

4. Now we’ll need to create another new key. Right-click on the new key which we created in the last step e.g. Gadgets and select “New -> Key“. Give the new key name of command.

5. Now select “command” key and in right-side pane, you’ll see “Default” String value. Double-click on it and set its value to as following:

C:\program files\windows sidebar\sidebar.exe /showgadgets

NOTE: If your Windows is installed in any other drive, then change C: to that drive letter.

6. That’s it.

PS: If you want a ready-made script to do the task automatically, then download following ZIP file, extract it and then run the extracted REG file. It’ll ask for confirmation, accept it:

Download Registry Script

Published in: Windows Vista

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.

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