How do I change the right click menu on W2K?

[medusaoblongata]

The right click menu, like when you right click on a file and get a pull down menu of things to do with it (cut, copy, delete, etc.). Mine's got all kinds of stuff in it, including commands from programs that I don't even have any more. I did a websearch and found a few links with instructions to use the Registry Editor. See these links:

http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBB/tip0500/rh0509.htm

http://www.jfitz.com/tips/rclick_custom.html

But when I open the Shell thingies all I see is a long string of numbers, not a separate entry for each item I see on the right click menu. I've also read that it can be done with Tweak UI, but I can't figure out how (haven't been able to do it with X-Setup or JV16 either). I also tried going through the control panel, but there's only a few items listed there, not all of them by far.

Can anyone explain to me how to do this, with step by step instructions?

Thanks,

[UnitedWeStand]

dude just edit your shell32.dll.
okay thats not easy.
so hunt down the programs you don't use.. reinstall them but with out shell integration.
uninstall programs.
wow.. I hate programs that leave footprints like that too.
I usually do everything the old fashion way and find it in File Types.. I hunt down the program and eliminate the Open with ____ dah dah..
but that isn't easy neither..
well I'll have to find a better way.

[Partial]

Medusa...


That second link looks good. The first one isn't what you want. It is hard to say what to do without seeing your registry. The registry entries aren't always clear and the entries may not all be in the same place. As far as I could tell though, the instructions on the second link looked good.

Could you write some of the entries down here?

Try using a registry cleaner to get rid of old program entries. It sounds like you should do a good housecleaning anyway with all of those leftovers sitting around. Program remnants in the registry can slow your computer down too.

[rmrucker]

PCmag has a nice program called "Context Edit" that will probably help you. You can get it here:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,9879,00.asp

You may have to register to get their downloads, but they have some nice free programs...

[medusaoblongata]

I had tried going through the control panel to edit what comes up for each file type, but the only things listed there were the defaults, with which I did not want to screw; the programs which had added themselves were not listed, and could therefore not be removed (as far as I could tell).

I had run JV16's registry tool and deleted all references to the programs I no longer have prior to posting here, but even with the registry entries deleted (according to JV16), stuff still showed up on the right click menu. I don't know how or why.

I still don't know my way around the registry so I try to avoid it if possible, for fear of permanently damaging something I don't know how to fix.

I had tried to follow the instructions on the second link I posted, but they didn't bring me to a place where I could figure out what to do.

rmrucker - thank you for the link. That program helped clean up the menu a lot. I suspect that the rest of what's on there I'll have to live with because of the way it seems to be tied up, but I can do that now.

Thanks guys. This board and its members are a great resource.

[UnitedWeStand]

Originally posted by medusaoblongata
Thanks guys. This board and its members are a great resource.

You're welcome!
Even if I didn't help much this time, I still try to find someone or something that will. Thanks for noticing.
I too am greatful for all the people that help me out.. especially Dr. Tweak, and Stef.