How to add any application to the Windows desktop right-click menu

Are you a power user or developer, or are you just someone who loves convenience? Let’s customize your right-click menu (also called the context menu) to save you time and clicks. With this simple customization, you can open your favorite apps with just a right-click on your desktop. You can do this by adding applications to the Windows right-click menu through a couple of simple steps. This game-changing solution can speed up your workflow and keep your desktop clutter-free. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to add any application to the Windows right-click menu, making your most-used programs instantly accessible. Let’s get started!

Why add an application to the Windows desktop right-click menu?

By adding applications to the Windows right-click menu, it gives us quick access to any app, can improve your workflows, and can increase productivity levels by reducing clicks and saving time. It is useful for customizing navigation, streamlining frequent tasks, and aiding in IT troubleshooting.

If you want to save time on navigation you should add Open Command Prompt Here, which allows users to instantly launch a terminal in any folder. Another common application would be adding Convert to PDF; this lets users quickly transform documents or images into PDFs without opening a separate application. Another useful addition is Scan with Antivirus. This feature enables users to check files for threats with a single click. For designers, adding Open in Photoshop makes it easy to edit images directly from the right-click menu, eliminating extra steps. These shortcuts streamline workflows and improve efficiency.

Interested? Read on to learn how to set it up!

How to add any application to the Windows desktop right-click menu

Adding any application to the Windows desktop right-click menu follows the same steps, regardless of what type of application you are adding. It’s also pretty simple to do, especially if you are already familiar with the Registry Editor in Windows.

Before you do this, it might be wise to back up your Registry Editor files in case something goes wrong.

How to back up the Windows Registry

1. Open the Registry Editor
   • Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
   • Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
2. Select File and click Export
   • In the Registry Editor, click File (top-left corner) and select Export.
3. Choose Backup Options
   • Under Export range, select All to back up the entire registry.
   • Choose a file name (e.g., “Registry Backup”) and select a safe location to save it.
4. Click Save
   • Your registry backup will be stored as a .reg file.

In the case something does go wrong, no worries – we’ve got you covered!

How to restore the Registry (if needed)

1. Open Registry Editor (Win + R, type regedit, press Enter).
2. Click File > Import.
3. Locate and select your backup file.
4. Click Open to restore the registry.

This ensures you can recover your system if any changes cause issues. 

Step-by-step instructions:

• Open the Registry Editor (Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter).
• Navigate to the right location: Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell

• Create a new key: Right-click the shell folder, select New > Key, and name it after the application you want to add (e.g., “Notepad”). This name will appear in the right-click menu.
• (Optional) Assign a shortcut key: If you want a keyboard shortcut, double-click the (Default) value of your new key and add an & before the shortcut letter (e.g., &Notepad makes N the shortcut).
• Create the command key: Right-click the newly created application key (e.g., “Notepad”), select New > Key, and name it command (all lowercase).
• Find the application path: Locate the full path of the executable file. You can do this quickly by Shift + Right-Clicking the application file and selecting Copy as Path.
• Set the command path: Click the Command key, then double-click (Default) on the right side. Paste the full application path here.
• Save and exit: Click OK, close the Registry Editor, and right-click your desktop to see the new menu entry.

And there you have it! You should now be able to see that application in your right-click menu. Give it a try, and if it doesn’t work, make sure to re-read the previous steps carefully.

Conclusion

With this simple customization, you can create a more efficient and personalized Windows experience, giving you instant access to your favorite applications right from the desktop, saving you time and a number of clicks.