How to Clean the Windows Context Menu via Registry

This updated guide examines How to Clean the Windows Context Menu via Registry and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Part 1of 4:

Opening the Windows Registry

1. Open 'Run.' In Windows, the Run command is used to directly open an application without the need to navigate through your Start menu or your program files. It is accessible through the Start menu.
   • A shorter way to call it is by pressing the Windows key + R on your keyboard.
2. Run Regedit. In the Run box, type 'regedit' (without the quotation marks) to call the Registry Editor.
   • Take extra precaution when opening and modifying contents in the registry as it can damage your computer's system. If you're unfamiliar with it, don't proceed and seek proper expertise for guidance.

Part 2of 4:

Backing Up the Windows Registry

1. Select 'Computer.' At the very top of the registry entries is 'Computer.' Click on it to select it.
2. Export registry. From the header menu, choose 'File' then 'Export.' The whole registry will be exported into a text file. Navigate to the folder where you want to save your backup then type in the name of your registry file. When you're done, click on the 'Save' button.
   • Your registry will be backed up in that file with a.reg extension. If anything goes wrong with your modifications, you can always revert to this stable version.
3. Note the registry file. Take note where you keep the registry file you've just exported in case you want to undo your changes later.
   • It is always advisable to backup your registry before doing anything to it.

Part 3of 4:

Managing 'Shell' Items

1. Navigate to the keys. Click through the registry until you find the following entries:
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT*shell
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTDirectoryshell
2. Identify menu items. For each of the entries above, review the menu items under them. Be careful on which entry you identify.
3. Disable a menu item. If you'd like to disable a particular menu item, click on it from the left panel then right-click on the right panel. Create this new string value: 'LegacyDisable'.
   • You can also opt to just delete the menu item from the registry, but leave this as the last option.
4. Continue through the rest of the menu items. Repeat navigating to the other keys, identifying the menu items, and disabling the menu items as needed for all the menu items you'd like to remove from the context menu.

Part 4of 4:

Managing 'Shellex' Items

1. Navigate to the keys. Click through the registry until you find the following entries:
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT*shellexContextMenuHandlers
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAllFileSystemObjectsShellEx
   • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTDirectoryshellexContextMenuHandlers
2. Identify menu items. For each of the entries above, review the menu items under them. Be careful on which entry you identify.
3. Disable menu item. If you'd like to disable a particular menu item, click on it from the left panel, and then modify the (Default) value on the right panel by putting a few dashes.
   • Double-click the (Default) entry to bring out the actual contents.
   • Add a few dashes in front of the Value Data and click 'OK.' This essentially disables the item without the need to delete it. This is useful in case you want to bring it back later.
4. Continue through the rest of the menu items. Repeat navigating to the other keys, identifying the menu items, and disabling the menu items for all the menu items you'd like to remove from the context menu.