Context menus or context menus are a useful feature in Windows for quick and easy access to an application. For example, if you want to delete an app, simply right click on the app, find the “Delete” option, click on it and that's it. It's that easy. You can also find other shortcut functions such as "Open", "Cut", "Copy", "Rename", "Properties" and more. However, there are many applications that can have access to this menu and that can lead to filling it with more unwanted options.
While your antivirus software may use it to run antivirus scans (which is useful), it could soon become a hub for unwanted programs. Some programs tend to forcibly install themselves in this menu and be confusing. You may also be surprised to find some programs on the menu, even after they have been uninstalled. If you don't want a messy context menu with unwanted options, here are some third-party context menu editors you can use to remove or temporarily disable them.
It is a compact tool where you can find the list of static menu items that appear in the context menu when you right-click on any of the Windows applications. ShellMenuView allows us to disable / enable any context menu item. This is especially useful for those who wish to disable any unwanted menu items.
Features:
- You don't need to install it or you don't need additional DLLs.
- To launch it, simply copy the executable file to a desired folder and launch.
- Add the “LegacyDisable” key to your preferred menu option in the registry to enable the “Disable” feature.
- Option to display the list of menu items in the main software window from which it is possible to select one or more items to be disabled / enabled.
- Sets or removes the extended function of the menu option.
The program is compatible with all major versions of Windows (XP, 2000, UtilityServer 2003/2008 and Windows 7 and above).
Price: freeware.
The shell extensions are already installed on your system and you can access the details of these extensions using the ShellExView application. Basically, extensions are known to expand the capabilities of your Windows operating system.
Features:
- It features a simple and clean interface.
- It allows you to disable specific right-click menu items, thus protecting your PC from crashes.
- Automatically performs a system scan on startup and generates a display of all shell extensions, along with other important details like product name, company, file extensions, file name, version, type, description and more.
- Gain access to more control options, for example, right click on any menu item, select available tools including enable / disable chosen items, do a Google search, save / copy selected items and more.
- Show exact details in the main window and in the "Properties" window, in a completely improved screen.
- It is not necessary to install it.
It works with minimal computer resources and works flawlessly with all versions of Windows.
Price: free
Customizing the context menu becomes easier with FileMenu Tools. This easy to use program can also be used by users with no previous experience.
Features:
- Easy to install and configure, this application comes with a simple interface.
- The interface is based on a normal window with a responsive layout.
- Organize items in context menu commands, the Send To menu, and commands in other applications.
- You can also insert commands, submenus, separators and even delete items from the list.
- Option to reset general properties such as icons, menu text, topics, drives, folders, file extensions and more.
- Ability to export settings to INI or REG files.
In addition, it uses minimal CPU space and system memory, works with a good response time, and supports two languages for the interface.
Price: free demo available; the pro version starts at $ 11.
If you are looking for a lightweight, yet efficient context menu editor for your system, Easy Context Menu may be the answer. This lightweight program is specifically designed to add items to the system context menu and also to files and folders.
Features:
- Easy to use program that completes certain tasks without using keyboard shortcuts.
- Provides easy access to frequently used Windows applications.
- Possibility to save the program on USB sticks and on any other portable device.
- It offers the freedom to quickly select the items you want to add or delete in the context menu.
- You can also enable all items in the context menu for a full category.
- Supports a wide range of context menu shortcuts, such as "Select All Files", "Delete Temporary Files", "Lock Mouse and Keyboard", "Registry Editor", "Device Manager", "Lock User" , Reduce Memory, “My Computer and so on.
- It allows advanced users to change various aspects of the context menu options like icon, title, parameter, etc.
- Context meu cleaner helps you clean old unwanted entries.
Easy Context Menu is known for its fast performance in adjusting context menu items quickly and without errors.
Price: freeware.
MenuMaid makes your life easier by offering you assistance in deleting unwanted entries from the context menu of Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer. It is an easy to use and responsive tool, which automatically generates a display of all entries found in Windows and Internet Explorer on the system.
Features:
- It features a simple and clean interface from which you can add / delete menu items in just a few clicks.
- Internet Explorer has a single contextual context menu, while Windows Explorer items are organized in a group and divided into different categories to help you find them easily, such as drives, directories, menu items and folders.
- Ability to select items to remove, search all files from the list or manually remove selected items.
- Easier to use even by amateur users.
Overall, the program performs a task quickly and without errors. As a bonus, it uses minimal system resources, thus improving performance.
Price: freeware.
Save your system context menu from choking with unnecessary entries using ContextEdit. This simple and useful application helps you to add context menu items for each extension, effortlessly.
Features:
- It sports a simple and uncluttered interface.
- It allows you to add / remove new items in just a few clicks.
- View existing file associations and control shell commands along with handlers in the same window.
- Easy to adjust controls.
- It allows you to work with both file types and extensions.
It is one of the most advanced context menu editors in the category that offers the ability to edit even the most sensitive sections.
Price: freeware.
Context Menu Tuner is another great context menu tool, which allows you to change the menu, easily. Unlike many other similar programs in the category, the free program allows you to add even more items to the context menu.
Features:
- It is a portable application and does not require installation.
- You have the option to place ANY Ribbon command in the context menu of any file, folder, desktop, or in a certain file type. These commands can also be ones that are not automatically added to the ribbon.
- Option to add any custom command to the context menu of any file, folder, desktop, or certain file type.
- It also allows you to add additional specifications to the menu item such as position, separator, lock the context menu item as default, and the option to adjust the context menu item so that it is only visible when the SHIFT key is pressed .
The context menu tuner is compatible with all Windows versions such as Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10.
Context Menu Editor is another freeware from The Windows Club designed only for Windows 7 and Vista for the moment. This free software allows you to adjust it to add or remove files, application shortcuts, website URLs in the context menu on the folder or desktop, and for Win32 commands.
Features:
- You can see the menu item only when you hold down the SHIFT key while clicking the right mouse button using the “Extended” function.
- It allows you to delete any menu item without visiting the registry. All you have to do is go to the Remove tab, right-click on the desired entry and click Delete.
- Lists the route of all menu items that have been added which displays the command along with the Extended property.
- It offers a view of all the system details and also the WinSAT score in the information tab.
It is compatible with Windows 7 and Windows Vista version x86 and x64. Also, to remove the program, you need to delete the executable. You should also create a system backup or restore point for the registry settings before customizing it.
Price: freeware.
Another great context menu editor from The Windows Club, Right-Click Extender is a free tool that lets you include some crucial items in your system's context menu.
Features:
- Allows you to add / delete various additional items to the context menu of a drive, computer, file, folder or desktop.
- You can add multiple items to the context menu, for example, control panel, drive defragmentation, command prompt, and more.
- It also backs up the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and HKEY_CURRENT_USER registry when you first run it, with the option to restore it.
- It comes with a simple and clean interface for working on the four main categories: file / folder, desktop, drive and computer.
- Offers the ability to include icons next to available menu options.
- You can also include items in the hidden menu (see it by clicking “Shift + click”) and also create a backup of the log creation (user defined).
- It also creates a system restore point before any changes are made.
- Freedom to optionally restore the backup and roll back changes using a system restore point.
It works with Windows 7 and also with Windows 8 and Windows 10.
Price: freeware.
Although CCleaner is best known for removing junk files, speeding up the startup process, repairing the registry or for browser security, it can also remove unwanted program shortcuts from the context menu. This is especially useful for those programs that offer no choice of removing them or just secretly invade.
Features:
- The context menu option is located in the Tools section of the program. Click "Start" to view the programs set to run as soon as the browser is started.
- You can then choose the item (s) in the Context Menu tab to disable / delete them. Upon deactivation, the option will still be available for later use if you change your mind.
Basically it offers a safer way to remove entries than messing with the registry.
Price: Free download available; Upgrade available for $ 12,49
This 10MB download from The Windows Club allows you to adjust various settings in Windows 7 and Windows Vista, and even customize and tweak Windows 7, easily.
Features:
- It allows you to customize almost everything related to Windows, such as context menu, Start button, Windows Explorer, taskbar, etc.
- Simple and intuitive with no manual hacks or the need to manually edit the Windows registry and Windows system files.
- Loaded with over 70 features with hundreds of secondary features.
- Keeps you informed of any new updates using the built-in update feature.
- It creates a backup for all system files and registry settings that are managed by the program itself and makes no changes to them.
- It can be easily uninstalled from the control panel.
- View the error log for easy viewing.
- Generate a system restore point before you can customize anything.
The program is tested repeatedly to ensure it works flawlessly between different customizations. The minimum space required for this program is 28 MB and is compatible with Windows 7, 32-bit and 64-bit.
Price: freeware.
Conclusion
If your goal is to get rid of clutter, make it clean, and increase overall productivity, these contextual menu editors can be of great help. So, get rid of unwanted functions in the context menu, using the tools above and stay organized.
