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:
============
- 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:
==========
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.

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note to any mods that may happen by -

I posted here as I thought the topic of shell extensions would fit more with customizing windows than with software, but if you think I should post this in the "Software Hangout" then I'd be happy to move it. please let me know either way, thanks


If you're new to the forum or just haven't seen these before, you may be asking yourself:


Generally speaking, you might say that it's a "program"* that adds new features or functionality to an operating system's shell. Most shell extensions in Windows will add an option/feature to either a context menu or a property page, but there plenty of other things that can be extended (such as the toolbar, pop-up info, drag-and-drop, column handlers, etc). In this case, I'm trying to use it to refer to any sort of "Lifehack for Windows Explorer"; something that is added to Explorer that does something for you to make life simpler. I'm also trying to focus on extensions that are independent of software packages.

Don't get me wrong. Lots of great programs like 7-Zip, dbPowerAmp, WinZip, etc. add a context-menu entries (read "shell extensions") for easy-access. These programs already get alot of publicity and attention from lots of download/review sites and even forums like msfn.

At the same time, some utilities that would work great with context-menu entries (such as Ant Renamer and Irfanview) don't actually provide them. Until someone else makes one. Other times, it's just easier to have a quick and dirty way of doing something (ex. toggling file ext's on/off, creating a file listing of a directory, etc) without having to open a program and go through all the menus/commands necessary to get the job done. These are the kind of shell extensions that don't get as much attention and are what I'm looking at here. And occasionally a program here and there for working with shell extensions.

*Usually it's not an actual executable (.exe) program but rather some type of script, module (such as a .dll file), or a even just registry entry. However, in some cases it is actually an executable program.

==========================

Here's a few links to some shell extensions (many of which offer full source).
If the link takes you to a programming site but you're not interested in programming, then look for a download link (usually near the top at codeprojects & near the bottom at codeguru...btw you may need to register @ codeprojects to download [it's free]).

If you are interested in writing your own extensions, I recommend starting out with The Complete Idi ot's Guide to Writing Shell Extensions by Michael Dunn. The author does a great job of explaining what's going on and providing code (note it assumes some programming knowledge). You might also do well to read up on the registry, the msdn/Windows API functions, and shell scripting. You'll also find that many extensions can be implemented with a simple registry edit that either issues a shell command or calls a script.

I should probably also mention that I haven't tested all of it...or even close. I tried to get the links directly to the developer's homepage if possible so that updated versions of their extensions are easier to find, but if any of the links don't work/change or the license changes (no longer free) or something else that needs correction please let me know. Thnaks.

Anyway, here is "The List":
By the way, I only include FREEWARE. No trials. No Shareware. No bull****.
===========================================

The Mighty List of Shell Extensions for Windows

ANNOTSX - Annotator Shell Extension (by Johannes Plachy IT Solutions) here
- "Save annotations to your files, especially usefull for Folders containing tons of files,

each with a cryptic non intuitive filename."

Attribute Changer (by Romain Petges) here
- adds itself to "to the context menus for drives, folders and files"
- "Changing attributes and date/time stamps on file and folders in Windows is somewhat troublesome - Attribute Changer will helpfully assist you in this task."

AttrMenu (by MainSoft) here
- Allows "direct access to a file's attributes. Much easier than using the Properties dialog box"

AudioShell (by Softpointer Inc.) here
- "allows you to view and edit music file tags directly in Windows Explorer"

BmpCtxMenuExt (no installer) (by Michael Dunn)
here (demo project link@top)
- This extension creates a thumbnail for BMP files
- The .dll file is included in the project with the source but no installer is included.

Browser Back 3.0 (by SpiritPyre [me]) here
- Makes Explorer go back to the last folder (just like the toolbar button).
- This extension supports using a custom caption/title/name (with Unicode support).
- The installer supports multiple options including path, caption, and silent install.

bxNewFolder (by BAxBEx Software) here
- "free for use at home"
- "adds a "New Folder" button to the toolbar of Windows Explorer. It also provides a hotkey (F12) to create a new folder within the Explorer quickly. "
- <edit> I wish this one was opensource: then I'd be able to make extensions for toolbar buttons too. if only they'd gimme a peek lol.

CMenu v1.7 (by MHz / Michael Heath) here @ MSFN !
- "CMenu is a handy, context menu extension. Adds a branch to your context menu called More Options." (follow link for full description)

ClipName (by MainSoft) here
- Copies "the full pathname of the right-clicked file to the clipboard".
- "Supports copy of multiple filenames either as a space separated list or as a CRLF separated list. DOS filenames (8.3) can now also be copied as well as the URL encoded name and the UNC name for remote files."

Command Line Parameters (by Nick Carruthers)
- NOTE: SOURCE ONLY: NO INSTALLER; MUST BE COMPILED
- "By simply selecting "Run with Parameters" from the context menu, you are presented with a snappy dialog that allows you to specify the command-line parameters. The extension features auto-completion (a la Netscape and MSIE), a drop-down history list, and just for nostalgia's sake, a blinking DOS prompt."

Command Prompt Here 3.0 (by SpiritPyre [me]) here
- Calls the command prompt and sets it to the current directory
- Note that occasionally it has problems with networked paths
- This extension supports using a custom caption/title/name (with Unicode support).
- The installer supports multiple options including path, caption, and silent install.

Context Edit (by Gregory A. Wolking?) description & here (1.1)
- "ContextEdit lets you control which items appear on your context menu"
- or look for here

Context Magic (Free Edition) (by ContextMagic.com) here
- Adds its own submenu with lots of commands (see link for full description)

Context Viewer (by Schezo??)
here or here
- Lets you preview various files in the context menu (doesn't support .gif without a plugin).
- User can define which files are to been seen in the context menu.

Copy Location Shell Extension (by Itay Szekely) here
- "Adds the ability to copy file and folder names from the Windows Explorer window to the clipboard"

'Copy To' & 'Move To' in Shell Context Menu (by Mumtaz Zaheer) here
- Adds "copy to" & "move to" to the (files & folders) context menus

CopyURL (by Moon Software/Ahto Tanner) here
- "Helps you to copy different information from your Internet Shortcut files (entries in the Favorites folder or *.url files) to the clipboard."
- Adds commands Copy URL, Copy Link and Copy Name to the context menu.

Create .bak (by Serenity_) here
- "This makes a copy of the selected file and gives it an additional .bak extension".

Create Directory Listing (by Serenity_) here
- "This creates a text file listing the contents of the directory you are in, in the directory you are in. Once the file is created it is opened. The filename also includes the datestamp at file creation in yyMMdd format and the path of the directory listing is written as the first line in the file."

Create Playlist (by Serenity_) here
- "This extension creates an .m3u playlist file of all the mp3s in the current directory".

Create Shortcut (by Serenity_) here
- "For those who wish to delete the Create Shortcut entry from shell32.dll menu resources, but still wish to be able to create shortcuts via the shell menu."

DLL Registration / Unregistration Extension (by Sardaukar) here (demo project)
- Gives options to register and unregister a .dll file via the context menu.

Drop Bar - An IE & Windows Explorer Toolbar (by Christian Oetterli ) here
- Adds a toolbar to IE/Windows Explorer that lets you add your own CUSTOM items to it (i.e. you could fill it with shortcuts to your favorite apps, etc.)
*NOTE: Does not work on Windows ME (thanks to eidenk for pointing this out).

Empty Folder (by Serenity_) here
- "If launched from clicking on a file, this will delete *everything* in the folder in which the file resides to the recycle bin. If launched from clicking on a folder, this will delete everything inside that folder to the recycle bin."

Encrypt Shell (by Tony Reinli) here
- Adds on option to the context menu for textfiles to Encrypt/Decrypt

ExecParm (by MainSoft) here
- "Allows you to run a program with parameters on the command line."

Fast Explorer 2006 (by Alex Yakovlev?) here
- Create new menu items, submenus (cascaded menus), dividers, specify menu bitmaps and hint text, and manage existing context menu items added by other programs.

File Ext Toggle 3.0 (by SpiritPyre [me]) here
- Toggles between displaying and hiding file extensions (ie: "file.txt" or "file").
- This extension supports using a custom caption/title/name (with Unicode support).
- The installer supports multiple options including path, caption, and silent install.

FileNote (by Moon Software/Ahto Tanner) here
- "Allows you to add textual descriptions to your files".
- "Lets you easily edit or create a text file that has the same name as the initial file, but with the extension TXT"

FileTargets (by Moon Software/Ahto Tanner) here
- adds a sub-menu containing your favorite folders to the all-files & folders context-menus.
- Allows you to copy/move selected files to pre-defined folders, create subgroups, automatically add new folders, copy file path names and much more.

FirmTools ShellExtension (by firmtools.com) here
- Adds three commands to the image context menu: convert, print, and thumbnail preview.

FolderBox (by BAxBEx Software) here
- "Free for use at home"
- "FolderBox displays additional folders in the lower part of Explorer, which enables your to display the contents of two folders at once."

Folder Size Explorer Extension (by Brian Oraas?) here
(thanks to Zxian for letting me in on this one! )
- Adds "Folder Size" to the details view of explorer (which ALSO displays the size of files)

FontLoader (by Moon Software/Ahto Tanner) here
- Allows users to load/unload/install and uninstall fonts via context menu or system tray.

GMail Drive shell extension (by Bjarke Viksoe) here
- "A Shell Namespace Extension that creates a virtual filesystem around your Google Gmail account, allowing you to use Gmail as a storage medium"

HardLinkShlExt (no installer) (by Michael Dunn)
here (demo project link@top)
- This extension adds an option to the the drag-and-drop menu to make hard links to files on NTFS volumes.
- The .dll file is included in the project with the source but no installer is included.

Hidden Files Toggle 3.0 (by SpiritPyre [me]) here
- Toggles between displaying and hiding hidden files.
- This extension supports using a custom caption/title/name (with Unicode support).
- The installer supports multiple options including path, caption, and silent install.

IconX (by Johannes Plachy IT Solutions) here
- "Allows You to assign individual icons for all Applications, Documents Folders and Drives!"

InfoTag Magic (Free Edition) (by ContextMagic.com) here
- Displays extra data stored in the tag fields of MP3, WMA, APE and Ogg Vorbis files in a tooltip when mouse pointer is hovered over a file.
- Also provides quick previews for text files, shortcut properties, and version info of executables.

IrfanView ShellExtension (by BAxBEx Software) here
- "Adds the ability to call some IrfanView functions from within the Windows Explorer"

Mmm (by Hace) here
- Lets you modify almost all explorer context-menus.
- You can remove context-menu items you never use or move them into a submenu.

MoreActions Context Menu Extension (by Kewei?) here
- Lets you "extend your file object context menu easily".

Mp3ext (prev. MP3-Info Extension) (by Michael Mutschler?) here or snapfiles
- Adds tag reference / edit function to Explorer.

MP3-Info Extension (see mp3ext)

New Window Favorites 3.0 (by SpiritPyre [me]) here
- Adds the ability to open a weblink (URL) in a new window of the web-browser.
- Designed for use with IE6, as it's Favorites list simply populates a list of files.
- This extension supports using a custom caption/title/name (with Unicode support).
- The installer supports multiple options including path, caption, and silent install.

NirExt (also by NirSoft) here
- "Add 3 useful context menu extensions" ... "
- "Advanced Run:" (on .EXE context menu) "allows you to instantly run an application with command-line and some other options"
- "Create Shortcut+:" ( on all file context menu) "allows you to instantly create a shortcut and drop it into one of the following folders: Desktop, Start Menu, Programs folder under Start Menu, Common Desktop (for all users), Common Start Menu (for all users), and Common Programs folder (for all users) under Start Menu."
- "Folder Properties:" ( on folder context menu) "allows you change the icon of any folder you want, and change the text that appears when the mouse cursor moves over the folder. "

OpenExpert (by BAxBEx Software) here
- "Free for use at home"
- "You will be able to configure every single existing filetype with its own "open with..." submenu extension. Now you can quickly and simply choose which application you want to open that particular file."

QuickMenu (by Darksky Software??) here
- "QuickMenu": pop-up application "displayed when you right click on the desktop. It is a launcher for displaying folders/files that you set up.
- "QuickMenu Plus": add-on for "QuickMenu" so that it can be displayed with a shortcut key.
- "QuickMenu Bar" is Shell Externtion Toolbar for Explorer and Internet Explorer.
- <note>: not sure if this is implemented as a shell extension or an app that loads (but I think its an app...), but I thought that it fits well with most of the stuff in here.

Remove on Reboot Shell Extension (by BJB, Inc.) here
- "Just right click the file you want deleted and it will be removed the next time you reboot."
- Also see its sister software "Copy Path to Clipboard Shell Extension" for another path to clipboard extension

Parameteriser (by Krapplets.cream.org??) here
- "Add command-line paramters to any program in Explorer.
It associates itself with the following program extensions, .exe, .com, .bat.
To use, simply right-click any program in Explorer."

Path to Clipboard (by Serenity_) here
- "Copies the full path of the file/folder you clicked, to the clipboard."

PathCopyEx (by Mike Lin) here
- "Copies the text path to the clipboard." via a context menu entry

PESX (by Johannes Plachy IT Solutions) here
- "Lets you analyze your Applications and DLLs dependencies".

Piky Basket (by conceptworld.com) here
- "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 [or] selectively paste the files to the target folder."
- Additional features allow you to copy paths to the Clipboard or launch the command prompt from the selected folder.

ReadOnly (by Serenity_) here
- This will "remove the read-only attribute from all files/subfolders within a folder".

ReCase (by BlueFive Software) here
- "Allows you to equalize your filenaming and bring order in your directories! Right-click a file (or select a bunch), and then select one of the Recase options."

RegSvrEx (by Mike Lin) here
- "Adds items to the shell context menu of DLLs and COXs that provides registration and unregistration - like running regsvr32, but much more convenient."

rjhExtensions (byRjH Software) here
- Adds "a number of useful functions to the context menu of Windows Explorer. The utility consists of the extensions and an organizer that allows you to control the placement of the extensions"
- Includes: "Path to clipboard", "DOS Prompt", "Shred File(s)", "Rename Files", "Encrypt File", "Duplicate File(s)", "Copy directory list to file", & "Print directory list" and an organizer

Select All 3.0 (by SpiritPyre [me]) here
- Selects all the files in the directory
- This is different from the one below in that it does not add an "Invert Selection" option (it's the same as Ctrl+A)
- This extension supports using a custom caption/title/name (with Unicode support).
- The installer supports multiple options including path, caption, and silent install.

Select All (by CrashCourse Software) here
- To be fair and show I'm not a poor sport, here's one that you can use if you don't like my own "Select All" Extension [above]
- The main difference from mine is that this one also "adds an Invert Selection option"

SendToAny (by OptionalReaction??) here
- "SendToAny extends the Windows Explorer 'Send To' context menu with all known links. This is accomplished by synchronizing the Send To Menu with the Start Menu, Desktop and Quick Launch Menu. "
- "SendToAny allows any file to be sent to any application, regardless of file-type association, or an applications' registration status. "

SendToToys (by Gabriele Ponti) here
- " Send To Toys is an enhancement of the Send To system menu."

ShellExView (by NirSoft) here
- Not really a shell extension, but since it lets you manage shell extensions, I felt that it was definately related.
- "The ShellExView utility displays the details of shell extensions installed on your computer, and allows you to easily disable and enable each shell extension. "

Shell Renamer (by Todd Jeffreys) here
- Adds "RegExp rename" & "Swap Filenames" to the (file) context menu
- Lets you use regular expressions to rename files (see description)

SubMenu Pack 1.0.11.0 (by SpiritPyre [me]) here
- Creates a sub-menu that you can fill with custom entries.
- Each entry/item can have its own caption, command path, help-text, and parameters.
- It includes a config utility for setting up and editing subkeys.
- Also includes standalone versions other extensions by the author.

Tail to Clipboard (by Serenity_) here
- "This is useful if you work with log files alot, and need to copy the last line of a file elsewhere."

ThumbView (by John-Philip Johansson) here
- "ThumbView enables thumbnails and tool tips in MS-Windows XP Explorer for file types that are not natively supported. It started with PCX, TGA, and DDS, but now ThumbView supports an amazing 19 image types, directly in Explorer! "

TxtIconShlExt (no installer) (by Michael Dunn)
here (demo project link@top)
- This extension shows one of 4 different icons for text files, based on the size of the file.
- The .dll file is included in the project with the source but no installer is included.

Unlocker (by Cedrick Collomb) here
- Free locked or in-use files so that you can move/update/delete them.

Up One Level 3.0 (by SpiritPyre [me]) here
- Makes Explorer go up one level to parent of the current folder (just like the toolbar button).
- This extension supports using a custom caption/title/name (with Unicode support).
- The installer supports multiple options including path, caption, and silent install.

WAssociate (not a shell extension) (by wstudios?) here
- manages the associations between file name extensions and file types stored in the Windows registry.
- Link includes a page with info on how Window's shell handles file name extensions.

Wildcard selection shell extension (by Matthijs Hollemans) here
- adds "Select..." to all context menu which will bring up a dialog box where you can you dos-like wildcards in your search criteria (i.e. "h*.gif" or "*.g*" etc) and it will select the results

WinKey (by Copernic)
- "This shell extension allows you to define keyboard shortcuts with the Windows key. You can use almost any key combination and create shortcuts to system folders such as My Computer, Network Neighborhood, Dial-Up Networking, Control Panel, and Recycle Bin."
- from developer's site: "As of July 14, 2005, Copernic will discontinue the distribution of WinKey." however both download links here were working as of 8/05/2005

Xentient Thumbnails (by xentient.com) here
- replaces the generic icons of image files with thumbnail icons of the actual image.

zenFolders (by sqba/oneFingerZen inc.) here
- This is "a namespace extension for Google Desktop Search. It presents results from GDS as files inside of what appears to be regular folders. It is very similar to OSX's "Smart Folders" or Vista's "Saved Searches"."
- "zenFolders are virtual folders that do all of your searching and organizing for you. Utilizing Google Desktop Search, zenFolders dynamically generate content from your search results, collecting all of the relevant files into one convenient place."

Honorable Mentions

The following FREE softwares, in addition to being top-notch utilities in their own respect, provide excellent shell extension support as well.

7-Zip (by 7-Zip Software ) here

dBpoweramp Music Converter (by Spoon?) here

Eraser (by Heidi Computers) here

File Shredder (by fileshredder.org) here

dBpoweramp Music Converter (by Spoon?) here

TreeSize Free (by JAM Software) here

Great stuff!

I'm just curious - where did you learn to write your shell extensions?

Also, have you looked into adding toolbar items? I'd love to have a Hide/Show Hidden items button on my toolbar, since I like to keep my right-click menu nice and clean.

Thanks!

thanks I learned most of it from The Complete Idi ot's Guide to Writing Shell Extensions by Michael Dunn. I used mostly "Part 7" (2nd half) as my starting point, adding my own code from things I looked up on msdn (such as sending keystrokes & reading/writing the registry)



I'm still working on that on the side, its just that very few people seem to know how to do it/are willing to help and I've been putting more work into the functionality side of things for now.

really interesting, i'll give it a deeper look!

Really good shell exts, spiritpyre.

Thanks.

thanks

Does not work on Win ME.


I am using that one since a long time now. It works seamlessly with Windows ME. You can use it as an additional Explorer and/or IE toolbar and/or Shell extension. There is a dll for each plus a menu items/options editor. I am just using it as a toolbar.

You'll have a far superior tool by getting WAssociate and putting it in the send to menu or in the context menu for all files.


Unfortunately this does not work in 9x systems but mp3infp does. It adds a tag editor property sheet extension for m3u, mp3, wav, avi, asf, wma, wmv, ogg, ape and vqf.

As we are in the audio stuff, there is of course the superb dbPowerAmp to right click convert between many file formats (almost all with the plugins)

I'll be trying if it works on 9x. I use a similar tool that I have translated from japanese. See this thread : http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=49385

In the same vein there is Context View to display preview of images in the right click-menu. Recognized filetypes can be extended to almost any filetypes by the use of Susie input plugins.

There is also Vueicons and Xentient Thumbnails to display icons of image filetypes as previews of themselves in Explorer.

I am using both. Vueicons because it is faster and Xentient for png as Vueicons does not support this format.


Best of the Best that is.

But if you haven't got enough whith it, have a go with Fast Explorer or More Actions.

A couple of others I am using permanently :

Copy Url. It allows to copy an url adress to the clipboard through the right click.

Link Open allows to open the container folder and preselect the target of any shortcut. I use it to replace the old MS power Toy "Open Target Folder" which is more functional but buggy (crashes the explorer if using it on an unresolved shortcut on the desktop) and never got fixed.

Enough for today

Thank you, Very intretsing

Hello.

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post this to current conversation, but I've
discovered some traffic peak in my logs, so I guess you're interested
in useful shell extensions.

Here is a couple didn't mentioned before.

Infotag Magic
Windows shell extension that displays extra data stored in the tag fields of
MP3, WMA and Ogg Vorbis files in a tooltip window next to the mouse pointer.
Also it provides a quick preview for plain text files, shortcuts properties and
version information of executable files.

Instant ThumbView
A tiny image viewer shell extension that displays image thumbnails in a tooltip
window, when mouse pointer is hovered over an image file in Windows Explorer.
Here is a screenshot:


Context ThumbView
A small picture viewer that provides image files preview directly in the right-click
menu.
Note. This one is similar to PicaView, but has less functions and is much more lighter.
Here is a screenshot:


Hope they will be of help to you.

Have a nice day,
Leonid

Wow, thats a nice big list. Can't wait to try some of them out. Thanks heaps

One app I find is almost indispensable is Mmm by Hace. It lets you move and hide right click menu items, and organise them into trees. Very handy if you like all these shell extensions but don't need them to be in your face all the time
http://www.hace.us-inc.com/mmm.shtml
They have a plus version too, but I just run with the free version, have been for a few months now.

@ eidenk, TiredLion, & FnaD
thanks for all the great additions & info



Mmm be very useful for me as I've been having a hard time adding support for submenus (keep getting stupid compiler errors that shouldn't be there -- if you know what you're doing & wanna help please pm me lol ) and I gonna be pressed for time for awhile what with starting back up at college with a full courseload & working on several pcs on the side -- But I'm still hoping I'll find some more time soon cause I still want to add a few things like:

- A more professional Refresh method
- Toolbar button variations
- .exe variations
- A submenu package that would have all of them and be customizable
- replacement extensions for some WMP10 stuff
- couple of other ideas that I'm still toying with

I've been wishing 4 this functionality 4 years spiritpyre. I would prefer buttons also but U take what U can get. Thanx.

This link may B of interest 2 some:
http://www.codeguru.com/Cpp/COM-Tech/shell...icle.php/c4505/

Excellent list of extensions! spiritpyre, I'm impressed with your study of extensions and the experience you seemed to have gained. Keep up the great work!

I was wondering where the dll of BrowserBack 1.0 Setup.exe is placed, so I may install via regsvr32 rather than running exe? Thanks

Here is some of my favorite programs

Folder Pilot (by BAxBEx Software) here
- replaces the Address bar in Windows Explorer and enhances its
functionality

XFilesDialog (by XDesk Software) here
- automatically resize the standard file dialogs (Open / Load / Save),
and many other new features

Folder Creator (by Tony Reinli) here
- allows you to create large numbers of folders

other program is in the list bxNewFolder

Hi spiritpyre,

I have read your doc and I'd be interested to know if you could easily compile a standalone and silent .exe version of your "refresh filename" programing trick. I toggle myself Show/Hide file extensions with a batch file I have written and that I launch from QuickMenuBar but I am unable to find an app, a batch command or a simple API I could compile into an app to refresh the filenames. So despite toggling with the batch file I still must right-click on the folder background and choose refresh.

sorry for the late reply don't get on as much anymore

@skywalka
thanks. that looks like it might be useful. I'll have to try it out though. the last method I tried (from M. Dunn) didn't work because for some reason Visual C++ 6 didn't like something in his code... and after triple checking my #includes & declaration, I realized that it was something with the compiler not the code (i think). Still haven't figured out what it is, but if this works I won't have to.

@matthewk
I put all of the dlls in "%windir%\system32\ShellExt\" folder so that they're out of the way, but not just some extra "junk" thrown in the system32 folder. Don't know what you're looking to do but if you were looking to use regsvr32 to automate, you can also just run the .exe with the /S switch to silently install it.

@Vladotto
thanks for the new additions. also the reason I didn't list folder pilot is that its not freeware (only 30-trial) -- its licensing isn't very clear from the products page but it says if you check out Babex's downloads page; XFilesDialog look like a demo too but I'm not sure. [I just like free stuff better ]

@eidenk
My little trick isn't as cool as I wanted it to be. (My refresh works by calling the right-click menu [Shift+F10] and pressing "e" to choose 'R&efresh' -- it just does it really quick so its kinda hard to see). I still want to find another method for refreshing because mine only works on the current window.

Anyway if you have AutoIt v3 you can probably recreate the same thing with this code via a script, and then just just Aut2Exe to compile it:

but because of the way the context menus are called, it would only work if called from the background menu (because "R&efresh" doesn't appear on file or folder menus) otherwise if you tried calling it when you right-clcik a file for example, the selection of the file (to be able to right-clcik it) would throw everything off. [and then we have another reason why I'd like to "Refresh" a different way ]

spiritpyre...just a question, but is there a possibility that I can get some of these without the installer (your extensions, I mean)...the only reason I ask is because I have a package that installs all my shell extensions and orphan items, I would just like to keep them in the same package (plus itll reduce numerous runonceex entries)...the ones I am talking about are fileext and selectall...if not its cool, just wondering.

Well I use the retail version of this one...so can't say how the freeware build is...but might be of some interest to a few here.

[Free Launch Bar]

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.

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

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)

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.

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.

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.

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 ^_^

You would have to reshack the dll's

oh well , thanks anyway ^_^

just another qucik question , if I do reshack them can I rename those to non-English laguage ??

thanks a lot ....

No clue...

I reshack stuff from japanese to english so it should work the other way round as well.

thank you you all. i'll try it out sometimes

thanks again ^_^

P E S X - Portable Executable Shell Extension
Author's Website
Download PESX

-Finds file dependencies and list paths to dll used by the exe in question.
--allows to copy information to clipboard
--allows to copy dependent files to one directory
(This is one of the easiest ways to migrate dependencies when authoring Windows PE /Bart PE plug ins.)

-System resources use is extremely low and is only in use when accessing 'Properties' of a exe.

Tip!!!
-PESX.dll is very easy to customize for those who are familiar with resource editing.
-Works in windows PE / Bart PE
-This program is free!!!. Just email the author and ask for a key! Return reply was very quick.

To get to the goodies of this extension....
1. R. Click on a exe and select properties. A new tab will be shown called 'dependencies'.
2. R. Click on any item in dependencies and you will see the standard R. click menu allowing you to do any normal operation on any file in the list plus, a new menu called PESX. Psx's features can now be accessed

wow those extensions you made are really great! part of my regular windows setup now rekon

thanks again

Heheh, I had to make an account here just to post this reply...

There were a couple Mp3 shell extensions mentioned (well AudioShell adds other formats) but no one mentioned the best one!!!

MP3ext! It has a brilliant tag editor available through the properties menu and you can choose themes to show different icons for various bitrates thus instantly showing the quality of the file.

You can download my theme here: Nighted's MacStyle theme

Here's a screenshot:



BTW, thanks for the awesome shell extensions! I found some stuff I really needed and your hide extensions and show hidden files are great. What a find! Hope you find MP3ext and use my icons.

Oh, look for JAM Software and look at these free apps. They have two really useful apps that you can call from your context menu, one is TreeSize that allows you to compare sizes of directories and the other is NTFSRatio that lets you compress/decompress files.

haven't been on much due to a busy school schedule, and a lot going on but i finally have some news about where I'm at and some other stuff I'm gonna try (and the level of difficulty i expect from each):

SubMenuPack - this is the one that I've been hitting major delays with. I never really realized how much work programmers need to go through to work with files in a win32 environ. (i.e. file i/o api's, path validation, multi-byte & unicode, custom file parsing, and creating logical/reusable code and algorithms, etc.). But I feel like I've been making headway with it when I get the time, and i've already found some 're'-uses for some of the code I've laid down for this. I've added a lot more functionality than i ever originally intended to and when I finish with the entension itself I plan on finishing up the config utility to package with the release. I'm hoping to be done with this before the new year, but I can't really promise anything. [Difficulty: Really Freakin' Hard]

In the works/projects waiting list:
1) IE/shell extension for Favorites items to "Open in New Window" [Difficulty: Moderately Easy] (Complete)
Note: decided to rework this to be more browser-independent (for all those who run firefox/opera/etc)

2) a textfile extension that would essentially use an external, multiline Find and Replace dialog [Difficulty: Moderately Hard]
3) IE extension (will release more info after I find out if its possible but it has something to
do with saving pictures when right-clcik is disabled on a page). [Difficulty: Moderately Hard]
4) replacement extensions for WMP 10 (I think I could do this already but I've been putting my time in on my main project) anyway it would basically remove WMPs paired extensions and allow you choose which ones were allowed on a 1:1 basis (instead of the 1:2 basis available thru regedit) [Difficulty: Really Freakin' Easy]
5) a Toolbar extension or two (probably remakes of my other extensions) [Difficulty: Really Freakin' Hard]
6) adding icons to my context extensions [Difficulty: Moderately Hard]

I suppose I might take a few ideas as long as nobody is expecting anything anytime soon... if anybody has some useful ones to throw on the list (that aren't too hard lol) but i plan on trying to finish up as much as i can before i start on anything new.

hi i hope som1 can make a context menu like this one... im using FolderPilo but it has bugs... as you can see, the context menu looks different.. it does not match some themes like VistaXP, Clear Looks etc.. its annoying for me.. so if anyone has some ideas how can i make that kind of context menu, pls help...