context menu default action position

[Freddy the Cat]

Hi,
I'm looking for a way to use the registry to change
the position of the default action in the context menu. Normally, when you
right-click and recieve a context menu, the first item listed is the default
action (it opens the program always associated with a file), whether it's
open, explore search, whatever. What I want is to place that position
lower, so that the bold default item is not the first on the list. Is there
a way I can position it lower?
TIA
Freddy

 

[Kelly]

Am wondering why?

Start here: Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

 

[Freddy the Cat]

Hi Kelly,
Why? Because I normally double-click to open a file. The only time I right
click to open a file is when I want to open the file with a different
program than the default. So, at those times (when I want to open with a
program not default), it is redundant to see the default choice as the first
on the list in the context menu.

It makes sense to have the default as the first on the context menu for
someone who always right-clicks to open a program. But in my case, it's
like having two drawers with the socks in the front and underwear in the
back. Why not just put them in different drawers?

I've already poked around the registry for days. Seems I'm not going to
find the method on my own. Do you know of a specific tweak?
Freddy

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

Hi Freddy,

While you can change the order of the context-menus through the registry, I don't think it's possible to move the Default item downwards. Kelly or David Candy might have some idea.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

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Hi Kelly,
Why? Because I normally double-click to open a file. The only time I right
click to open a file is when I want to open the file with a different
program than the default. So, at those times (when I want to open with a
program not default), it is redundant to see the default choice as the first
on the list in the context menu.

It makes sense to have the default as the first on the context menu for
someone who always right-clicks to open a program. But in my case, it's
like having two drawers with the socks in the front and underwear in the
back. Why not just put them in different drawers?

I've already poked around the registry for days. Seems I'm not going to
find the method on my own. Do you know of a specific tweak?
Freddy

 

[Kelly]

Hi Freddy,

Seems you are speaking more of "Open with" than the bold Open, Merge,
Explore, Edit context menu.

In that case, you will need to remove the recommended choice via the
extension in question. Select the extension you want to modify, choose
"OpenWithList" and delete the value you want removed from the list of
programs.

Example: Start/Run/Regedit - HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.bmp
Subkeys: OpenWithList (MSPaint.exe) and OpenWithProgids (Paint.Picture)

To remove a specific application from being listed totally:
Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications
Select the associated sub-key, if 'NoOpenWith' isn't listed, create it.

More info:

Clear Dynamic "Open With" Lists
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/OpenWithClear.zip

Retrieve the Class Name for a File Extension (Line 146)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

 

[Freddy the Cat]

Hi Kelly,
Thanks for the info, but... I'm speaking about the default, bold, first item
in the context menu. I want to find a way to move that lower on the list,
so that the top item is not the default and bold. This would mean that when
you click on the first item in the context menu, it doesn't open the default
program for that extension. Is there a way to do this?
Thanks, Freddy

 

[Kelly]

Freddy,

Send me a screen shot via email.



Registry Edits, Tips and Tricks for XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm