SpiritPyre's Shell Extensions!!

03/06/2008 - New mirror
I threw the installers up on my school's server for now along with some ad-hoc documentation that I might use if I ever get my own site.

anyway, here are the direct links:
BrowserBack_3.0_Setup.exe
CmdPromptHere_3.0_Setup.exe
FileExtToggle_3.0_Setup.exe
HiddenFilesToggle_3.0_Setup.exe
NewWindowFavorites_3.0_Setup.exe
SelectAll_3.0_Setup.exe
SubMenuPack_1.0.11.0_Setup.exe
UpOneLevel_3.0_Setup.exe

and i threw the binaries into a 7-zip file if you want to go the manual setup route:
ShExtBinaries_3.0.7z

if anybody wants to offer suggestions for making the pages better, you can check them out here:
shell extension pages

05/13/2007 - ! New Updates !*

I've updated most of the extension's installers as well as the extensions themselves. They now support Unicode and the installers have alot more options. The only exception is SubMenu Pack. I'm planning on making a new version of it with all the updates and new features rather than just a few small changes and an updated installer.

Big thanks to Zxian for generously hosting the files!!

- All extension installers (with the exception of SubMenu Pack) have been updated to allow more commandline options such as path, caption, and silent install. Additionally, the extensions now have support for Unicode characters in their captions.

- File Ext Toggle & Hidden File Toggle both use checkmarks now.

- CmdPromptHere installer will now let you add CmdPromptHere to folder & drive context menus in addition to the regular folder background menu.


- All extensions have been updated to support installation on non-admin user accounts by writing custom registration routines. In addition, the installers have been updated to allow this; however, some accounts may need to change to default installation path to allow this. (NOTE: there are still problems with this using the SubMenuPack installer.)

- In addition, now ALL of the extensions support custom captions instead of just certain ones. Note that the registry keys and install paths have changed slightly from previous versions.
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Browser Back 3.0 or 7-zip file updated May 13, 2007 readme

- Shell extension that makes Explorer go back to the last folder. Works just like the toolbar button except it's accessed through the context menu in a folder background.

Cmd Prompt Here 3.0 or 7-zip file updated May 13, 2007 readme

- Shell extension that launches the command prompt set to the folder it was accessed from.

- Installer now allows installation to the folder & drive menus as well as the folder background menu.


File Extension Toggle 3.0 or 7-zip file updated May 13, 2007 readme

- Shell extension that toggles between displaying and hiding file extensions.*. Same thing as if you went to Windows Explorer's Tools Menu and choose Folder Options->{View Tab}.
But mine's quicker & easier.

- Now with checkmark support.



Hidden Files Toggle 3.0 or 7-zip file updated May 13, 2007 readme

- Shell extension that toggles between displaying and hiding hidden files. Same thing as if you went to Windows Explorer's Tools Menu and choose Folder Options->{View Tab}.
But mine's quicker & easier.

- Now with checkmark support.



New Windows Favorites 3.0 or 7-zip file updated May 13, 2007 readme

- This extension was designed with Internet Explorer 6 in mind. It adds the ability to open internet links in IE in a new window. Firefox users can ignore this - it's built in. But if you occasionally or more than occasionally use IE and its Favorites links, you can now open your link in a new window so you don't have to loose what you currently looking at. Just right-click the link and the rest should be obvious.

Select All 3.0 or 7-zip file updated May 13, 2007 readme

- Shell extension that selects all items in the current folder. Open a folder and press Ctrl+A. Now you can do that in TWO mouse clicks too. yea!

Up One Level 3.0 or 7-zip file updated May 13, 2007 readme

- Shell extension that makes Explorer go up one level to parent
of the current folder. Works just like the toolbar button except
it's accessed through the context menu in a folder background.

Shell Extension Binaries (DLLs) 3.0 updated May 13, 2007

- Simple Packaging of all of the .DLL files that the various extensions use. Comes with sample installation and registry scripts that may be modified. Ideal for silent installs, I left this option for the hardcore modding enthusiasts.

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SubMenuPack Extension 1.0.11.0 or zip first release 01/18/2007

Note: This installer also includes stand-alone versions of the other shell extensions as an added bonus. If you just want to use the stand-alone versions, for example with Drop Bar (+) so you could have them as Toolbar buttons, they're available here. Alternatively, if you don't want them or just don't want to use the installer, there's also a 1.0.11.0 binaries zip that contains just the SubMenu DLL & the Config Utility.


Update 1-18-2007:
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- Config utility should now work without needing "MFC42D.DLL". Consequently, the file is a bit larger. On the other hand, if you already can run it without problems, then I made SubMenuPack Extension 1.0.11.0-b or zip-b - it's the same as the one above but you need MFC42D.DLL for this to work and the filesize is alot smaller. (or there's the 1.0.11.0-b binaries zip if you don't like the installer)

-fixed a bug where things would freeze up if you tried to escape environment variables.

Screenshots:
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DESCRIPTION:
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This extension creates a sub-menu in the Windows Folder Background context (right-click) menu that you can fill with custom entries. Each entry, or item, is stored in the registry under its own subkey with its own values for its displayed name ("Caption"), its file or command path, brief description ("help text"), and any parmaters that are to be passed to it when its called.


The extension stores several of its own values in the registry as well that control its behavior and these are detailed below. All values and subkeys may be either edited directly via the Windows registry editor ("Regedit"), through a registry script (.REG file), or through the included Config Utility ("SM Configumilator"). I recommend the config utility personally, but you don't have to use it. I'll even admit that all the time I've spent working on it might have made me biased ;~D.

It comes with a config utility, SMConfigumilator, for setting up and editing subkeys as well as standalone versions of most of the above extensions that can be invoked from the sub-menu. The installer can add entries for these in the submenu to start with (default) or you can choose to decline any or all of them (the config utility will still be accessible from the start menu in this scenario, but the other standalone exes will not be installed).

Hope you like it, enjoy! (and Happy Holidays everybody!)
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I've been working on these on and off for a while now whenever I've had a little extra time. There are still a few things I wouldn't mind adding, but I haven't had any luck finding way to do or as much time.

Anyway these are just some shell extensions I wrote for practice. They add entries to the right-click (aka "context") menu you get in the background of a folder or the Desktop. I'm releasing them in hopes that others might find them useful and because I've noticed some requests for them in earlier threads. The other reason I thought I'd throw them all together, is to see if we could start a list of everybody's favorite shell extensions and what they do. I made these on my own, using code and examples I found floating around on the net and some work of my own. But if you know a shell extension somebody else made, post a link & maybe some info...AS LONG AS ITS FREE (NO " FREE TRIALS"!)


A few things to note about my extensions (as of 8/04/05):
- They were developed/made for XP
- Of the four, "Select All" is THE ONLY ONE that seems to work under Windows 98.
- have only been tested by me, on my machines (Xp home sp1 & sp2) and on pc I'm doing work on (98SE), so they might not work on other systems. will update info on that if I get feedback.
- I used NSIS to package them, which can be silently installed with the '/S' switch
- The install basically just copies a DLL file and registers it.
- install files are zipped, because eazyshare won't take exe's.
- on the "toggle" extensions, the refresh doesn't work as good as when you use the "Folder Options" dialog. (i.e.: dialog refreshes ALL explorer windows, mine refreshes only current explorer window...at least for now)
- <edit> One more thing I forgot to mention: Due to the nature of how the code is added, the item will also appear on the "File" menu. As far as I know, this is an unavoidable side-effect; but if anyone knows how to fix it or I find more info on the subject I will try to compensate for this.

I might release more here if I decide to make more/can find time. Please feel free to post comments/suggestions/ideas/more shell extensions/ etc.

- spiritpyre

<edit> I only work on these when I have a bit of extra time, so it might take me a little longer but... I plan on first trying to see if I can get it to refresh more than just the current window. After that I'm gonna look into Toolbar Extensions. And if I remember I might recode the toggle extensions as .exe's so that they could be called by something like Drop Bar (see next post) until I get the toolbar buttons working.

This post has been edited by spiritpyre: Mar 8 2008, 06:20 PM

Wow ... exactly what I was looking for some time ago. I haven't read anything about it yet though (I am going to bed soon) but a nice place for some shorcuts is the context menu of the task bar ... such as Regedit and all the various system tools would be nice right there. Will look into the posted stuff tommorow.

@ evilvoice & matthewk

had a couple of hours today so I repackaged the dlls and wrote a sample cmd that registers them (...in case anybody was interested ) (see my first post )

i have a bit of work to do this weekend so i doubt i'll get time for any programming but i'm hoping i'll have some time thursday.

This post has been edited by spiritpyre: Sep 9 2005, 05:38 PM

thank you...nothing against your installers or anything, just like all stuff like that to be in one install package.

Finally figured out a one of my major set-backs. It seems that even after installing the most up-to-date Platform SDK's, you must manually tell VC++ 6 to use them (and set it's "include" folder first in the list above any other "include" folders VC++ uses) ...or at least that's what I had to do. I was getting compiling errors (undecl. id's) on MIIM_STRING [for my SubMenu] project and also on something else related to my "alternative refresh". (And no I don't like web-installs...on psdk's or anything. lol)

[In English]: Busy with classes, but hopefully I've have something to release in around a week.

Anyway here's a Preview:
Currently I store the settings in [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\My Shell Extensions] with a SubKey for each item that will appear in the menu. I'm also considering setting some kind of ceiling on how many items can appear in the menu (to help cut down the lag) in the version that I release.

One cool feature is that you can use environment variables in the paths, but you have to double-up on the percent signs so the extension can escape them (ie. "%windir%" would be entered as "%%windir%%") and it *should* work on any environment variable defined on the system. <Edit> eliminated need for escaping the '%'s; they can now be entered like you normally would.

[i]<edit 10/13/05> fixed some bugs and got rid of some of the lag but I still have a few things to do. Here's what I'm hoping to get in before I release:
1) a way to specify parameters/arguments (currently anything called with arguments can't be launched)
2) would like to restructure things so that the value used for the caption is more like that used for adding file/folder verbs strictly via the registry.
3) opting for fully configurable settings that allow you to use either the registry or a settings file. spent the last week cleaning up my registry functions, now I just need to code file op's (should be pretty easy)
4) would like to possibly do some error proofing by having certain string-particulars taken care of by the program rather than the user
5) make a config utility for easy item entry, and changing settings
6) improve the parsing routine, so that the extension can be more flexible
7) recode Select All, Browser Back, File Extension Toggle, and Hidden File Toggle as standalone, *windowless* execuables so that they can be called from a directory background.

[Quick Update]: Finished the registry part currently working on ini support (so far main problems are 1)generating a default file if one isn't found and 2) i'm getting a high number of compiler warnings when my current ini-class is included). Finished re-designing the config utility, just need to finish off some code in some parts -- as it is now the config utility has around 3/4 of its coding left but it should be much much easier to code than the extension itself....partly because i can reuse code.


[After This Project]
1) attempt something i found that might "refresh" better
2) [IF I CAN] create a Toolbar extension
3) attempt to add bitmaps to previous extensions (either a checkmark, X, or +/- ) ... probably a checkmark or else it would be configurable

This post has been edited by spiritpyre: May 19 2007, 12:22 PM

Hi again, with simply merging this registry file you can register and unregister dlls with the context menu instead of using the run box or a batch file. Multiple files can be selected.


It works on 9x. Dunno on NT+ because of privileges but otherwise I think the syntax is the same.

I also use that with ocx files and ax files (DirectShow Filters).

or if you're *REALLY* lazy you can use a shell extension...lol.

DLL Registration / Unregistration using a Shell Extension (By Sardaukar)

This post has been edited by spiritpyre: Sep 21 2005, 10:07 PM

Nice s*** guys I like the added functionality to windows.

Too bad that image previewer "instant thumbview" isn't freeware though I kinda like the looks of it.

This post has been edited by kelsenellenelvian: Sep 21 2005, 10:28 PM

After some testing I really like the context thumbview but I would not pay for it.

PikyBasket 2
Download

Very useful for multiple folder/file changes (i.e. Multiboot distro's).

Also, the menu can easily be redone through a resource editor. (I posted a example long ago with pics do a search and PM me if you want a copy of my version.)

Includes :
-Send file/folder to cmd prompt
-Copy Paths to Clipboard w/ a UNC format option.
- The Basket - "you can reduce repetitive tasks when copying/moving files and folders in Windows. Piky Basket allows you to select files/folders in to a "basket" from different locations. Once you are done selecting, you can paste them all at once to the target folders. It also allows you to selectively paste the files to the target folder."

http://www.firmtools.com/products/shellextension/

Hey spiritpyre.

The handy dll @ the bottom of this page http://www.cognitive-software.com/shlext.php places a tick beside enabled attributes in the context menu. Would it B possible 2 incoporate these ticks with the "hidden files" & "extension" context menu items?

Thanx again.

WOW Thats even better thanks!!!

I'll try to look into it when I get a chance. right now school's been picking up and when I get time I've been trying to improve/finish/add to the SubMenu Pack extension.
I've been going over its string parsing routine trying to make it more flexible, I'm working on a separate app that you can use to import the commands & (optionally parameters) without having to deal with the registry/settings file, and then i need to recode my previous extensions as windowless .exe's... ...the main reason for all of this being to extend windows without cluttering up my menu lol

btw would you be able to post a (cropped) screenshot of the menu? I'm not really sure what you mean by tick and the link didn't show any screens... I'm assuming its a bitmap/icon or something like that, right? (if so I think it should be do-able, but I just want to make sure) thanks.

This post has been edited by spiritpyre: Sep 27 2005, 09:27 PM

Thanx SpiritPyre.

I'd always assumed the tick was an ASCII character but now that U mention it I think U R right. It is probably an icon.

I just realized Windows has ticks built into it's submenus.

eg Arrange Icons by > Auto Arrange etc

OK... sites that don't let you download without signing up already suck huge ones, but the signup form doesn't even work.

@ skywalka: thanks for the screen. right now i'm still putting all my programming time into the SubMenu extension, so don't expect anything rigth away... but I'll see if i can't add that when i get time.


@ HyperHacker: yeah, I didn't like that either when i first found them, but i never had any problem signing up. sorry its not working, did you try sending them an email about it? codeprojects has a lot of cool stuff -- even if you're not interested in their coding articles, there are lots of FREE tools and demos.


anyways, quite a few of their articles have come in very handy for helping figure out how to accomplish some bast***ly programming trick or another.

This post has been edited by spiritpyre: Oct 2 2005, 01:29 AM

http://www.mlin.net/misc.shtml

StartupSelector

StartupSelector will save or load the Windows configuration data that causes programs to run at system startup. This allows you to easily switch between multiple startup configurations, for a myriad of potential purposes.

PathCopyEx

A very simple shell extension that copies the text path of any file/folder in Explorer to the clipboard. Saves a bit of time on all those annoying Browse for Folder windows!

RegSvrEx

A shell extension that provides convenient and quick registration for ActiveX DLLs and OCXs. A great tool for ActiveX developers - much more convenient than regsvr32!

RdocEx

A nifty shell add-on that adds the programs you run as well as the documents you open to your Recent Documents menu.

StartXplorer

Mirrors a directory with shortcuts. Allows you to create a kind of Explorer in your Start Menu. This is neat for building a shortcut mirror of your MP3 subdirectory in the Start Menu - you can play MP3s just as if you were starting a program.

Taskbar Commander

Only for the most eccentric of Windows users - lets you control the order that buttons appear on your taskbar. Alphabetize them, etc. Requires IE4+ with shell integration.

Insert ToggleKey

Ever accidentally turn on overtype, and as a result typed over half a sentence? ITK sounds a tone whenever you press Insert.

MLHotKey

Assign an activation hotkey to any top-level window - press the hotkey, and that window is instantly activated.

WindowSizer

Sets a given window to an exact size in pixels. Useful for web developers who want to see what their site will look like at various resolutions.

OK guys I really need a .dll extensions thats is for opening a command prompt here. NOT the ms one that .dll isnt even the actual shell extension the **** thing uses regentries. I need just a .dll extension.

That's so cool , thanks a lot spiritpyre


but how can i rename the menu in context
eg. i want to see "Hide/ Show Hidden Files" instead of "Hidden Files Toggle"

also do you know how to rename "Send to" in context (as well)

thanks so much ^_^