Windows 7 - Right Click Context Menu

Ok, I've got 2 machines both with Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit on them. One machine fresh out the box today. The other a few months, anyway. On both of them I install programs that I know add additional menus to to the right click context menu. Example WinRar would be one program, 7zip another, VLC, a File Shredder Program and a few others. This is the first time I've come across this issue (between both machines), and I gotta say its annoying as hell, on my laptop it was one thing I made by, but my central system, the desktop I am currently installing everything on new to replace my old desktop is a different story. I rely heavy on those menus and not having them well its bothersome. So I am wondering if there is some special setting somewhere on Home Premium alone that I don't know about, that I can't seem to find information on this anywhere else. Or did for some reason Microsoft in all it's finest of Glory just Omit that option from the OS entirely just in Home Premium.. I have 7 Pro on another machine and this problem doesn't exist there.

So all in all losing my mind want to know one way or another. And need an answer. So if anyone knows how to resolve this that would be cool. Thanks

I think you will find that it is the programs - 7-zip. winrar, etc which will give you the option of adding context menu items.

Not the operating system.

I have to say, odd that it didn't automatically add context menus. All my programs add them.

To fix, for example, WinRAR, see attached screenshot.

Not sure otherwise. We'll get you an answer, though, I hope.

You should be able to add them from the program itself e.g. 7-zip click Tools>Options

I know they offer the options and I check them.. and recheck them.. and nothing.. (also I hit apply, ok, close...) If it we're that simple in my case, I'd of never came here in the first place. I have a program Windows 7 Manager (YamiSoft) as well, it shows me things in the context menu's the entries are there but marked as "invalid" for what reason they are invalid I havent the slightest clue.

All right, let's see. Are you installing the programs using an administrator account? Something isn't right.

You should get all your context menus. Here's an example of mine (attached). Microsoft didn't get rid of them, thankfully.

Try nir's little app - shell menu view get the right bit version - it's only tiny and doesn't need installing.

ShellMenuView - Disable/enable context menu items of Explorer

Some programs may not be as compatible as they claim
OR
Windows blocks some programs from adding context menu entries.

In Windows 7, most of my programs can add entries but some won't.
They all can in XP and you can easily make your own.
Why did MS remove that feature?

For example, Glary Utilities entries don't appear in my context menu.
Whereas AVG, ASC4, IZArc, Notepad++ and Winamp all successfully add entries.

Here's some help that may solve your problem:

Customize the Right Click Menu in Windows 7 - Make Tech Easier
Edit Context Menu Items In Windows 7 & Vista
FileMenu Tools

Also, here's another approach. You might have better control of your Context Menu if you first take ownership of it. Take a look at these tutorials:

Take Ownership of file
How to Allow or Prevent Users and Groups to Take Ownership

And you could even add a Take Ownership shortcut to your Context Menu and use it on the Context Menu itself to take ownership and add/delete items to your Context Menu:

Take Ownership Shortcut
Add ‘Take ownership’ Option to Context Menu