Basic idea
Right-clicking on the "My Computer" icon displays a context menu with more or less meaningful entries. The basic idea was to add your own extensions to this context menu by modifying the entries. You can also take the opportunity to manually clean out this menu, as this key is often misused by providers to establish themselves in the system.
During my research on the Internet, I came across several articles on the subject whose procedures and results did not satisfy me. The paths were too branched, were deleted or otherwise overwritten by RegCleaners or simply did not work. In search of a solution in an exposed and comprehensible position, this path was created.
Diese Vorgehensweise und ihre Ergebnisse wurden auf Windows XP (Home & Pro; mit & ohne SP’s) und VISTA (stellvertretend Ultimate) getestet.
Note: The following applies to all work in the registration area: First secure the bowl that you want to modify or even remove!
Preparation
Beforehand, we think about what entries we want to include in the context menu. For example, paths to frequently used folders or programs, to the root paths of hard disks or to folders with collections (MP3 or movies etc.) make sense. We now copy these paths directly from the Explorer into a text file (here "Paths.txt" as an example). This saves the time-consuming search on the computer when the registry is open: everything in one place.
If programs are to be opened, you should consider whether they are provided with parameters or use parameters. These parameters would then have to be noted at the same time. We can then practically run such calls completely with one click.
Procedure
The tools
For my work in the registry, I use the registry editor from TuneUp Utilities 200(x). This has the advantage that bookmarks can be created for the edited keys. A very practical feature for frequent changes. However, everyone can choose which tool they want to use. The basic principle remains the same.
Most people will probably use the RegEditor from XP. This can be used by [Win]+[R] –> regedit –> ENTER can be called up conveniently.
To have an example, I created a test folder in C:TestfolderData to which I will refer in the following.
The right key
After opening the registration, we look for the key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
(picture 1)
In its original state, this contains the subfolders DefaultIcon, InProcServer32, shell and ShellFolder (Figure 1).
We now right-click on this key and select Export. This gives us the option to return to the original state if something goes wrong.
We are concerned with the folder shellwhich contains the entries find (Entry Search... in the context menu) and Manage (Entry Manage) contains.
Each subfolder that is set up here appears immediately under its assigned name in the context menu of Workplace.
In order to bring some order to the keys, I recommend starting them with a specific letter or special character that is always the same. I have chosen an @. This means that the keys you define yourself always remain at the top of the folder.
In the right window of the shell subfolder I have a key of type Character string with name Comment and content "All keys with the @ character are self-defined. [Date] AranankA". Comments of this type can be created at will and without any effect on the system. They make the contents traceable later.
We now right-click on the shell folder icon and select the entry Neu –> Schlüssel einen leeren Schlüssel an. Diesen nennen wir „@ Mein Testordner“ (Bild 2).
Setting up the first additional key
Even now, right-clicking on the workstation icon produces a result (Fig. 2a), which at most produces a system warning when clicked (Fig. 2b).
(picture 2) 
(Image 2a)
(Fig. 2b)
Next, we set up a key in the "@ My test folder" folder we just created with the name command (Figure 3). This name is not freely selectable!
(picture 3)
Wenn wir nun diesen Schlüssel anklicken und einen Blick auf die rechte Seite des Editors werfen, finden wir dort einen Eintrag: Einen Schlüssel vom Typ Zeichenkette (REG_SZ) mit dem Namen „(Standardwert)“ und dem Eintrag „(Wert nicht gesetzt)“. Wenn wir versuchen diesen zu löschen, wird diese Vorgehensweise verweigert.
In this right-hand window, we now create a new value again by right-clicking: Type REG_EXPAND_SZ (extended character string) with name (default value). We leave the Data area empty (Fig. 4).
(picture 4)
Note: Unter dem Standardeditor in XP heißt der zu erstellende Wert „Wert der erweiterbaren Zeichenfolge“ Es ist wichtig, das der Typ auf jeden Fall REG_EXPAND_SZ is!
Diesen neu angelegten Schlüssel „@ Mein Testordner“ exportieren wir nun um ihn zu bearbeiten: Rechtsklick auf den Schlüssel –> Exportieren als „Testschlüssel.reg“. Diese Datei öffnen wir mit Notepad. Wir sehen nun folgendes:
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}shell@Mein Testordner]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}shell@Mein Testordnercommand]
„(Standardwert)“=hex(2):00
The entry „(Standardwert)“=hex(2):00 we now replace with @=hex(2):00, save the file under its old name and close it.
(Die fertige Datei „Testschlüssel.reg“ kann here can be downloaded).
Completion and success
Wieder im Registrierungseditor: Wir löschen den Schlüssel „@ Mein Testordner“. Jetzt doppelklicken wir auf die Datei „Testschlüssel.reg“ und bestätigen die Systemrückfage.
A look at the registry editor after pressing [F5] to update:
(Image 5)
The simple character string has disappeared. What remains is the extended string without data (Fig. 5). We now open this by double-clicking and obtain (Fig. 6):
(picture 6)
We now enter the path to the desired file in the lower field (Fig. 7). As this should open in expanded form in Explorer in this case, the entry should be structured as follows:
%SystemRoot%Explorer.exe /e,C:TestFolderData
Note: With this type of Explorer call, you must pay attention to the spaces and the trailing comma!
(picture 7)
To do this, we use the paths created in advance in the "Paths.txt" file.
That's actually it! We are finished.
Testen wir nun: Rechtsklick auf Arbeitsplatz –> „@ Mein Testordner“ und schon öffnet sich der Windows Explorer genau im Ordner C:TestfolderData
Concluding remarks
The procedure is now always the same. Regardless of whether it is a folder call or a program call. The only difference is that in the case of programs, the program is called directly rather than taking a detour via the Explorer. If required, with the necessary or desired parameters.
Den Schlüssel „@ Mein Testordner“ sollten wir per [F2] umbenennen. Die Datei „Testschlüssel.reg“ können wir dadurch immer wieder verwenden, wenn ein neuer Eintrag benötigt wird. Doppelklick reicht und der beliebig modifizierbare Schlüssel „@ Mein Testordner“ erscheint in der Registrierung.
Und dann macht auch ein Lesezeichen zum Schlüssel Sinn…
by AranankA (18/3/2008)
