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\n\tIt is important to keep in mind that the Windows Registry file is vital to the operating system and changing it can be dangerous if you inadvertently make a mistake. As such, you should take a few moments to back up your system by creating a system image in the Backup and Restore tool. That way if anything goes awry, you can restore your system and get right back to work.
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\n\tTo launch the Registry Editor, click the Start button, type Regedit in the Start Menu’s Search box, and press [Enter]. When the UAC dialog box appears, respond appropriately.
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\n\tDon’t forget that the CommandStore key in the registry contains the codes that are the source of the commands that appear on Windows Explorer’s context sensitive Command Bar. From within the Registry Editor, navigate to the following folder:
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\n\tHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\CommandStore\\shell
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\n\tWhen you select shell, you’ll see all of the codes that you can use to customize Windows Explorer’s context sensitive Command Bar. Keep in mind that while each of these keys contains subkeys and other details, you need only be concerned with the names in the shell key. For example, to add the Delete command, all you need to know is the code Windows.delete.
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\n\tStay on top of the latest Microsoft Windows tips and tricks with TechRepublic’s Windows Desktop newsletter, delivered every Monday and Thursday. Automatically sign up today!
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\n\tOnce the Registry Editor appears, navigate to the following folder
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\n\tHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\FolderTypes\\{5c4f28b5-f869-4e84-8e60-f11db97c5cc7}
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\n\tWhen you do, you’ll see that while the key is technically named {5c4f28b5-f869-4e84-8e60-f11db97c5cc7}, its CanonicalName is Generic, which I’ll use from here on out to refer to it. You’ll also notice that the Generic key does not contain the TasksItemsSelected and the TasksNoItemsSelected keys by default. As I said, you will have to add then manually.
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\n\tImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
\n\tHowever, before you can do so, you will have to change the permissions of the Generic key. To begin, right click on the Generic key and select the Permissions command. When you see the Permissions for dialog box, as shown, immediately select the Advanced button to bring up the Advance Security Settings dialog box.
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\n\tImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
\n\tNow, select the Owner tab and change the Current owner to Administrators. To do so, select Administrators in the Change owner to panel and click Apply. Once the Current owner is set to Administrators, as shown, click Ok to continue.
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\n\tImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
\n\tWhen you return to the Permissions dialog box, choose Administrators in the Group panel and then select the Full Control Check box in the Permissions panel, as shown. Click OK to continue.
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\n\tImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
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\n\tNow that you have full control of the Generic key, you are ready to begin editing. To get started, right-click {5c4f28b5-f869-4e84-8e60-f11db97c5cc7} and select the New | Key command. When the new key appears, name it TasksItemsSelected. Then, choose the New | Key command again and create the TasksNoItemsSelected key. At this point, your Generic key should look like the one shown.
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\n\tImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
\n\tAt this point, I’ll reuse the list of codes that I chose for the last week’s article:
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\n\tSince the Windows.delete code requires an item to be selected, it will be added to the TasksItemsSelected key. The Windows.navpane, Windows.previewpane, and Windows.menubar codes do not require an item be selected, so they will go in the TasksNoItemsSelected key.
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\n\tAs you can see, the TasksItemsSelected key only contains the String Value titled Default, which is where we’ll put the Windows.delete code. Double click the Default icon to access the Edit String dialog box. Then type the Windows.delete code in the text box, as shown.
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\n\tImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
\n\tNow, access the TasksNoItemsSelected key, double click the Default icon, and add the Windows.navpane, Windows.previewpane, and Windows.menubar codes in the text box, as shown. Be sure to use semi-colons to separate each command.
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\n\tImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
\n\tAt this point, close the Registry Editor and launch Windows Explorer. When you do, you’ll see the new commands on the Command Bar in Windows Explorer when you access any folder.
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\n\tImage created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic.
My first computer was a Kaypro 16 \"luggable\" running MS-DOS 2.11 which I obtained while studying computer science in 1986. After two years, I discovered that I had a knack for writing documentation and shifted my focus over to technical writing.
