How can I customize the icon for an Windows Exploer Context Menu item?


  1. Posts : 53
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    How can I customize the icon for an Windows Exploer Context Menu item?


    Hi,

    My question does not pertain to a custom context menu item; I already know how to customize the icons for those.

    Rather, my question is concerning apps that I install which automatically set themselves up in the Windows Explorer context menu via, for example, HKCR\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers.

    Today I installed EmEditor and now there is a Windows Context Menu item for it but it doesn't have an icon like the WinZip item, for example.

    Where can I go to edit/customize the icon for EmEditor or even WinZip and similar applications, if I want to change the icon?

    Please let me know if you have any ideas.

    Thanks!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 17,322
    Win 10 Pro x64
       #2

    Are you looking for something like this?

    Context Menu - Add Shortcuts with Icons
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2,009
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
       #3

    I don't have either program but with all programs that show those icons here (7zip, Winrar, Avast etc) the icon is compiled into the EXE.
    How can I customize the icon for an Windows Exploer Context Menu item?-capture.jpg
    The used format is 16x16 with 16 colors.

    If my theory is correct and those programs miss said icon format for whatever reason, you could try the following:

    Get a hold of the icon in question, GetIcoFX IcoFX - The Free Icon Editor
    make sure you add the missing format and save the new multi format-icon
    Now open the exe in Reshacker and replace the appropriate Icon Group..save, reload and see if it worked

    -DG

    I assume Derekimo's version would be the way to go
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 53
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    derekimo said:
    Are you looking for something like this?

    Context Menu - Add Shortcuts with Icons
    No, I'm not. That pertains to a custom menu item, which I already know how to do.

    The issue is with an installed application, such as WinZip, which automatically adds itself to the context menu. WinZip nicely adds its icon to the menu item whereas for EmEditor, they didn't put one.

    In either case, whether the application included its icon or whether it did not, I want to be able to change/specify my own icon for the menu item, just like I can do for my own custom menu items.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 53
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    SledgeDG said:
    I don't have either program but with all programs that show those icons here (7zip, Winrar, Avast etc) the icon is compiled into the EXE.
    EmEditor has its icon inside its .exe and the icon shows up on the desktop and start menus fine.

    See my reply above...the specific challenge is about specifiying/customizing the icon for menu items which where added automatically by installed applications. Specifying the icon for manual/custom menu items is a breeze, but it's how to do it for the ones created by installed applications that's proving to be a challenge.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2,009
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
       #6

    Clearly if it's not the icon inside the EXE ther's got to be some entry in the registry similar to derekimo's suggestion. (which are injected during installation with some scripting)
    There are not many more choices, ya know
    And since I don't own either program I can't help you here, sorry
    But at least you know where to look

    -DG
      My Computer


 

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