Accessories - Cascading Desktop Context Menu

How to Add a "Accessories" Cascading Desktop Context Menu in Windows 7​

   Information

This will show you how to add or remove a cascading (expandable) Accessories menu to the desktop context menu for all users in Windows 7.

This is the same folder and items as in the Start Menu - All Programs - Accessories folder.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.

   Note

By default, the Windows Mobility Center context menu item below will only run on laptops, notebooks, and tablet PCs.

However, if you would like to enable the Windows Mobility Center to be able to run on a desktop computer, then see:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/6552-windows-mobility-center-enable-desktop-computer.html

EXAMPLE: Accessories Cascading Context Menu
NOTE: The far left screenshot is for the Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic editions. The middle screenshot is for the Windows 7 Home Premium editions. The far right screenshot is for the Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions.







Here's How: 1. Add "Accessories" Cascading Desktop Context Menu
NOTE: Use this download if you have Windows 7 Starter or Home Basic edition installed. A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below. 1-Add_Accessories_to_Desktop_Context_Menu.reg

Download


B) Go to step 5.
2. Add "Accessories" Cascading Desktop Context Menu
NOTE: Use this download if you have Windows 7 Home Premium edition installed. A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below. 2-Add_Accessories_to_Desktop_Context_Menu.reg

Download


B) Go to step 5.
3. Add "Accessories" Cascading Desktop Context Menu
NOTE: Use this download if you have Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, or Enterprise edition installed. A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below. 3-Add_Accessories_to_Desktop_Context_Menu.reg

Download


B) Go to step 5.
4. Remove "Accessories" Cascading Desktop Context Menu
NOTE: This is the default setting, and is for all editions of Windows 7. A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Remove_Accessories_from_Desktop_Context_Menu.reg

Download


5. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

6. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

7. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

8. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Add a "Administrative Tools" Cascading Desktop Context Menu in Windows 7
• How to Add a "System Tools" Cascading Desktop Context Menu in Windows 7

 

[Brink]

I'm afraid that I have no idea with XP.

You might post this in the Chillout Room since it's not WIndows 7 related to see if someone may know of a way for XP.

 

[7user78]

Thank you

Mr. Brink, this is AWESOME!
thank you for sharing with us ! Best regards,

LE: Is there any possibility to modify the cmd.exe command data value in regedit in order to start in default mode as Administrator ? As far as I saw ,merging this .reg file will start the cmd in normal mode (not Admin mode)
thanks

 

[DanSitar]

Command Prompt "here" as Admin in color.

@7user78, Here is more than you were looking for. This will add the Command Prompt as Admin in the context menu only if you right-click on a folder, not a file. The beauty is that it opens to the directory you've clicked on.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/47415-open-command-window-here-administrator.html

More, the DOS window is not in the boring black & white, but in COLOR!!! You have 16 colors to play with. Just type at the prompt: COLOR /?. Here I gave you the Cyan on a Blue-gray background, e.g., /T:3B, Just change the ‘3B’ for your own colors.

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\runas]
"@"=" Command Prompt (Admin)"
"HasLUAShield"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\runas\command]
"@"=Cmd.exe /T:3B /s /k pushd "%V"
 
Same for these 3 other keys:
 
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\runas]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\shell\runas]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Drive\shell\runas]

Note: A secure icon will show up on the menu showing that it is as Admin. Beside the “/T:3B” in the command line, you can also change the text " Command Prompt (Admin)" for whatever you want to see on the menu. I always add a space in front of the first letter in order to separate the text nicely from the icon.

The ‘antidote’ (as non admin):

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\cmd]
"@"[email protected],-8506
"Extended"=""
"NoWorkingDirectory"=""
 
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\cmd\command]
"@"=cmd.exe /s /k pushd "%V"
 
Same for these 3 other keys:
 
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\cmd\command]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\shell\cmd\command]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Drive\shell\cmd\command]

Have fun!!

 

[7user78]

wow , this is awesome
Thank you for your great reply ,
Best wishes !

 

[DanSitar]

You're welcome 7user78.

@Brink. You have replied in the post #12 that

17 is the limit that can be on a cascading menu.

Do you mean 17 keys under [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CommandStore\shell] without counting the Windows.* ones?

BTW, I have a Tutorial to post. Is there a special procedure for that or I just post it? My title will be:
How to create a Desktop Cascade Context Menu of multiple layers, four in my example.

BTW, in which forum shall I ask why the “Pictures & Albums” feature does not show up in my “User Control Panel”?

Thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello Dan,

It's 17 for the total limit in the context menu. There's no limit for how many keys that can be created in the registry.

I suppose post the tutorial in the Chillout Room for now, and let me know when it's posted. This way we can get it all polished up before moving into Tutorials. For something that complicated, it will need to be very detailed so that even noobs could follow.

The “Pictures & Albums” doesn't show up in your User CP yet because you are still a "new" member. Once you are no longer classified as new, it will be there.

 

[DanSitar]

Thanks Brink for your quick response.

1. I am stuck at 15 elements in my context menu. As soon as I add another one, the last one doesn't show up.

2. My tutorial is very comprehensible for newbies. Understandable simple steps with explanations, tips and many photos. I am pretty sure it is at the level of the high standards of your forums. The maximum size of the photos in our posts is 620×280 px. Can they be bigger for tutorials?

3. Concerning the “Pictures & Albums”, I suggest that your explanation be part of the FAQ because I spent quite some time trying to figure out why, including the options of my IE7 and Windows XP that I am using for now (connection problem on my LP win7).

See you soon in the “Chillout Room.”

 

[Brink]

1) Yep, it includes all item in the expanding context menu from the first item to the expanding items.

2) Sounds good. As long as the image doesn't go over the upload limit, whatever size it is will be fine.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

 

[Hardwaredevil]

hi great man its works thanks next

 

[DanSitar]

Greetings forums' readers & helpers,　٩̢ ̗(Ӧ̮Ӧ)ֹ̢ ̗۶

I forgot to mention here that I posted my tutorial on 27 Jan 2013, thanks to Brink for the final touch. He also approved the editing in the registry.

How to Create a Desktop Cascading Context Menu of Multiple Layers in Windows (7 & 8)​

I literally coach you to build your own menu.

Have creative fun ‼

 

[midhunprp]

good tutorial