Cannot launch programs from right-click popup menu

[jsampson45]

I recently had some kind of corruption so that I had to restore an image backup using Macrium Reflect. This has been mostly successful but when I right-click on a text file in Windows Explorer and then select a program from the popup menu to edit it nothing happens. I reinstalled the editor I was using but this did not help. I do not have hours to spend on this - should I try an alternative explorer or is there any possibility of a quick fix?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
Which programs/ editors have you installed ?
Possibly post a screen shot of the open with context list
As far as I know this is the default

 

[jsampson45]

Thank you - I do not know how to get a screen shot without the popup menu popping down. There is nothing unusual to see so I don't think it would help. The program I was trying to run was gvim 7.4, to edit a text file. "Edit with Vim" is one of the options in the popup menu but clicking on this does nothing.
I was wondering if there was an obscure Windows setting I do not know about that had been switched off and could be switched on again. I do not have time to launch an investigation - I would rather put up with the problem.

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi:

Context menu entries are controlled by the Windows OS.
If, as you mentioned, you recently experienced OS corruption necessitating restoration of a system image, that may underlie your issue - perhaps some of that corruption may have carried over.

I am unfamiliar with gvim 7.4. but a couple of ideas/suggestions come to mind:

• Is there a setting/option in gvim to create a context menu entry? If so, perhaps that was somehow disabled inadvertently and needs to be re-enabled?
• Have you tried uninstalling gvim, rebooting the computer, manually removing its program data and program files folders (if necessary) and then cleanly reinstalling it and rebooting the computer again?

Just a thought,
MM

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Not sure about controlled by windows
A Open with entry only points to the programs .exe file it lists or you manually search for by using Choose default program.

I simply use the PrtScrn key while the context menu is open
Then open Paint and use Paste.

 

[Callender]

• Is there a setting/option in gvim to create a context menu entry? If so, perhaps that was somehow disabled inadvertently and needs to be re-enabled?
• Have you tried uninstalling gvim, rebooting the computer, manually removing its program data and program files folders (if necessary) and then cleanly reinstalling it and rebooting the computer again?

MM

OP states that the program has been removed and reinstalled.

I tried the portable version of gvim and there's no option in the GUI to create a context menu entry. Context menu entries needed to be created manually.



@ jsampson45

Which context menu entries to you need (Edit with or Open with) and what do you actually see?



Also state if you used the installed version or the portable version.

If you use the installed version I'd suggest that if you uninstalled it via Control Panel > Add remove programs there's a good chance that your context menu entry is an old leftover from the original install.

Try uninstalling using GeekUninstaller. Then reboot and reinstall gvim.

 

[MoxieMomma]

Thanks for the additional suggestions @Callender.
For the record, I did understand that the OP had attempted to uninstall the program.
That's why I specifically mentioned manually removing the Program Data and Program Files folders as an added step.
But a 3rd-party uninstaller tool would likely accomplish the same tasks.
(And I likewise specifically stated that I did not use the program in question, as I do not have a test box or a VM in which to try it. So, I offered the best suggestion I could about looking for a possible context menu entry in the GUI. Thank you for clarifying that.)

I shall bow out and defer to the others for additional assistance.

Cheers,
MM

 

[Callender]

For the record, I did understand that the OP had attempted to uninstall the program.
That's why I specifically mentioned manually removing the Program Data and Program Files folders as an added step.
But a 3rd-party uninstaller tool would likely accomplish the same tasks.
(And I likewise specifically stated that I did not use the program in question, as I do not have a test box or a VM in which to try it. So, I offered the best suggestion I could about looking for a possible context menu entry in the GUI.

I should learn to read a little more carefully.

@ jsampson45:

Grab a copy of Default Programs Editor

It's portable so runs without install.

Follow these steps:

​

​

​

​

Type a descrition and also Replace the command shown with the full path to the executable (depends on which version is installed) and add a space then "%1" at the end of the command line.

​

​

 

[Callender]

File safety check for Default Programs Editor:

​

 

[jsampson45]

I have tried the procedure with Default Programs Editor. Although I saved the context menu it made no difference. The new option in the context menu that I had specified did not appear. I should make it clear that all the options in the menu are affected, not just "Edit with Vim". This suggests that the context menu no longer functions, although it pops up on right-clicking a file shown in Windows Explorer. Many thanks, anyway.

 

[Callender]

I have tried the procedure with Default Programs Editor. Although I saved the context menu it made no difference. The new option in the context menu that I had specified did not appear.

Are you sure you typed the correct path to the executable? It might be different on your machine.

I should make it clear that all the options in the menu are affected, not just "Edit with Vim". This suggests that the context menu no longer functions, although it pops up on right-clicking a file shown in Windows Explorer. Many thanks, anyway.

Well originally you just sais text files were affected. If all context m enu items are affected then it points to:

A buggy shell extension that was installed by other software.
A program updated and it contained a buggy shell extension.
A program needs updating.

Anyway you say you don't want to spend time on this so I won't go into a lenghty step by step answer.

In brief:

Find all shell extensions and find which programs installed them. Check for any updates for those programs.

Also try disabling shell extensions (needs a reboot each time)

List all installed programs and sort by installed on date.

If you know when the problem started think about any software changes on that day or the day before.

A workaround if you don't want to fix it might be to use Explorer++ to navigate to files then check right click context menu (using Explorer++) to see if it works. It's not 100% guaranteed to work. You need to right click Explorer++ executable and run as administrator or use command line to run as administrator.

RUNAS "Full Path To\explorer++_1.3.4_x64\Explorer++.exe"

Replace "Full Path To" with the actual path.

Current list of problem software causing right click issues that I personally know of:

Spybot Search & Destroy
MyWinLocker
Old versions of Google Drive
Some zip (archive) software

There's various softwares that you would need to install to list/ disable context menu entries.

 

[jsampson45]

Many thanks. Not having the context menu facility is not a showstopper so I will do without it. Regards John Sampson