As you all know about my “Add View menu in Desktop context menu in Windows XP” tutorial which tells you how to add View option in Windows XP Desktop context menu just like Windows Vista:
How to enable “VIEW” Menu on Desktop in Windows XP
Many ppl have asked me how did I add my name on top in Desktop context menu? I receive lots of mails containing this request regularly. So today I decided to write a small tutorial about it.
So here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to add any desired string in Desktop context menu:
1. Open “%windir%\System32\Shell32.dll” file in resource hacker and goto:
Menu -> 215 -> 1033
2. Now add following line:
MENUITEM xyz, 33333, MFT_STRING, MFS_GRAYED | MFS_DEFAULT
Just after the:
215 MENUEX
LANGUAGE LANG_ENGLISH, SUBLANG_ENGLISH_US
{
POPUP “”, 0, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED, 0
{
3. Replace xyz with any string which you want to add but with quotes. e.g.
MENUITEM “!*~.VISHAL.~*!”, 33333, MFT_STRING, MFS_GRAYED | MFS_DEFAULT
4. Click on “Compile Script” button.
5. Save the file and restart your Windows to see the affects.
BONUS TIP: You can remove “MFS_GRAYED” or “MFS_DEFAULT” or both to have some different look. “MFS_GRAYED” is used to disable the text, if you’ll remove it, your name will look like an enabled item. “MFS_DEFAULT” is used to show the text in Bold, if you’ll remove it, your name will be shown as normal text instead of Bold.
NOTE: To know more about Resource Hacker, read following tutorial:
All About Resource Hacker in a brief Tutorial
And if you face problems while saving the file, make sure you have patched your system with WFP Patcher which can be found in “Downloads” section.
If you liked this article, you can share it with others using the following link:
You can also subscribe to our RSS feed to get regular updates:
Subscribe to RSS Feed
Or you can subscribe to our daily newsletter. Do not worry, You will receive only one e-mail per day and you can unsubscribe any time using the "Unsubscribe" link given in the mail:
Subscribe to Newsletter
shekh said:
how to open or edit shell.dll file .
Sul said:
you need to download resource hacker
whitedevil said:
hey VG,
this is not working for me. i changed the shell32.dll file as u said , then compiled it and saved. when i open the shell32.dll again, the line i added is no there
however i was able to change some other things like avi, bitmaps, and dialogs in the shell32.dll file and it works. pls help me
sulasno said:
And if you face problems while saving the file, make sure you have patched your system with WFP Patcher which can be found in “Downloads” section.
Zygo said:
“Menu -> 215 -> 1033″ there is no menu on the left hand side bar?????????
wtf help please
VG said:
^^ If you are using some other language version of Windows, then “1033″ will be different. You have to just goto “Menu -> 215 -> xxx” and paste the mentioned line in right-side pane.
Zygo said:
“Menu” is not showing up! all of them say 1033
darkstate said:
Hi VISHAL,i’m having a tiny problem with my code,when i right click my context folder my nick only shows up @ the top the view folder and not the main folder as yours does,is there a reason for this?maybe to many letters !*~.DARKSTATE.~*!.
if you want a pic email me back and i’ll send so you can see.
kind regards
darkstate said:
ITs ok i solved it,i did it like this to get my nick at the top of the context of the main menu and view menu
215 MENUEX
LANGUAGE LANG_ENGLISH, SUBLANG_ENGLISH_US
{
POPUP “”, 0, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED, 0
{
MENUITEM “!*~.DARKSTATE.~*!”, 33333, MFT_STRING, MFS_GRAYED | MFS_DEFAULT
MENUITEM “”, 65535, MFT_SEPARATOR, MFS_ENABLED
POPUP “&View”, 28674, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED, 0
{
MENUITEM “!*~.DARKSTATE.~*!”, 33333, MFT_STRING, MFS_GRAYED | MFS_DEFAULT
MENUITEM “Filmstri&p”, 28719, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
etc
etc
etc
VG said:
^^ Yep. You have to add the line before View menu.
darkstate said:
Easy when you know how,thanks for your guidance,you have some very good ideas on here,i’ve been playing with Dialog folder with the Resource hacker for shell32.dll,fine bit of kit,hopefully i wont kill my p.c,but hey..you live and learn, i’ll be a regular round these parts for more fun from you :-).
Keep up the good work
VG said:
^^ Thanks.
Zygo said:
DUDE! THERE IS NO “MENU” part in there! im running vista basness
VG said:
^^ This trick is for Windows XP.
dracayr said:
hi,
I can’t save the file, even though I have patched my System with the WFPPatcher
I used the replacer, but saving is much more easier
Do you know why I can’t save? I’m using a german Windows XP Professional SP2
VG said:
If you are not logged in as Administrator, then you’ll have to login as Administrator to directly save the file.
dracayr said:
hi,
I am administrator
VG said:
^^ Strange. Try to delete “%windir%\System32\sfc.exe” file in Safe Mode.
Krish said:
have already downloaded WFP and applied it..
VG said:
There will be a file “shell32_original.dll” in “System32″ folder. Delete it and you’ll be able to save the file again.
nitin said:
how to uninstall the windows media player from system
VG said:
^^ If you have upgraded your WMP, then you can uninstall it from Add/Remove Programs applet in Control Panel.
TheCoolPrince said:
HI Vishal! You have a great site here. Congrats! I wanted to ask that these steps u have given in this article will not work if my appearance is Classic, right? Is there any way that I can bring my name in the context menu with Classic appearance on? Thanx!
VG said:
^^ It’ll work in Classic Theme too.
TheCoolPrince said:
I’ll surely try again!