Adding to the Context Menu using ShellEx

[fenterbug]

I quote Heliophobe:
"Also, we have some other applications, like winzip, which add themselves to the root class, but do it with shellex. "

Does anyone know how I can use shellex to add commands? Why would I use shellex instead of shell; what's the difference / advantage / disadvantage?

[reghakr]

If you look under the shellex key, you'll notice a unique GUID number which is contained inside the DLL, for example:

C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZSHLEXT.DLL
C:\Program Files\Ontrack\PowerDesk\PDSHEXT.DLL
C:\Program Files\TextPad 4\System\shellext.dll
C:\Program Files\Common Files\SYSTEM\contmenu.dll

So, you'll need to write your own shell extension or context menu extension DLL.

What benefit? It adds commands to the right-click of almost any file and/or folder - directory

When you use the shell key with shell>open>command, you point it to an EXE (you only get 1 command)

Disadvantages of shellex is sometimes you can't modify them. Take Quick View Plus, for example, you have no options to change it.

Does that answer you question?

reghakr

[fenterbug]

Yeah, it tells me I can't add stuff real easy. :(