Vista - Flip 3D - Add to Context Menu

**Brink** · **METHOD ONE:**

How to Add Flip 3D to the Context Menu in Vista

Information

This will show you how to add Flip 3D, also known as Switch between windows or Window Switcher, to the right click context menu in Vista.

NOTE

With this, you can now right click on the desktop, or in Windows Explorer window, and click on Windows Switcher to open Flip 3D.

WARNING

You must have the Windows Aero color scheme turned on for the Glass Transparency, Taskbar Thumbnail Previews, and Flip 3D features.

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS FOR: WINDOWS AERO
See: Windows Help and Support: Troubleshoot problems with Windows Aero

NOTE: The Windows Aero color scheme is not available for the Vista Home Basic version.

1 GHz 32 bit or 64 bit CPU processor.
The computer needs at least 1 GB of RAM.
A graphics card with support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB of memory.
The graphics card must support Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware.
The graphics card driver must support Windows Vista Display Driver Model (WDDM)
The computer display color depth must be set to 32 bits per pixel.

RELATED LINKS:

EXAMPLE: Flip 3D

EXAMPLE: Context Menu Before and After Flip 3D is Added
NOTE: It will have the name Windows Switcher in the context menu for Flip 3D. This is for when you right click on the desktop or in Windows Explorer.

METHOD ONE:
Through a Download

1. To Add Flip 3D to the Context Menu -
A) Click on the download button below to download the
Add_Window_Switcher.reg file.

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Remove Flip 3D from the Context Menu -
A) Click on the download button below to download the
Remove_Window_Switcher.reg file.

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

4. Right click on the .reg file (on Desktop) and click on Merge.

5. Click on the Run button in the Security Warning pop-up.

6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

7. When done, you can delete the .reg file (on Desktop).

METHOD TWO:
The Manual Way

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.

3. If prompted, click on Continue in the UAC prompt.

4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below step 5A)
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellx\ContextMenuHandlers

5. To Add Flip 3D to the Context Menu -
A) In the left pane, right click on ContextMenuHandlers and click on New, then on Key. (See screenshot below)

B) Type Windows Switcher and press Enter. (See screenshot below step 7)

C) In the right pane, right click on (Default) and click on Modify. (See screenshot below)

D) Type {3080F90E-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257} and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

E) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)

F) Go to step 7.

6. To Remove Flip 3D from the Context Menu -
A) In the left pane, right click on Windows Switcher and click on Delete. (See screenshot above)

B) Click on Yes to confirm the deletion.

7. Close regedit.

That's it,
Shawn

teamster776 · 03-07-2008

Great tutorial! thx

**Brink** · 03-07-2008

Your welcome teamster776, and welcome to Vista x64 Forums.

Shawn

cicciox64 · 03-16-2008

Thanks Brink for this tutorial,
I am learning a lot.

PS: this is my first post.

**Brink** · 03-16-2008

Your welcome cicciox64, and welcome to Vista x64 Forums.

Shawn

Bob-C · 05-22-2008

Shawn,

That is a GREAT addition. The 3-D Flip is a great feature that I was disappointed Microsoft didn't give a quicker way to access. I wish the Microsoft team would concentrate on adding features like this INSTEAD of removing or relocating (burying) good feature like the Find context menu in Explorer. Your hack improves productivity while the later only causes confusion, frustration and a waste of time. [End of rant]

Thanks for tip. Is there a way we could also add this to the right click menu on IE?

**Brink** · 05-22-2008

Hi Bob-C,

I do not know of a way to add Find to the Context Menu, but you can press Ctrl+F or F3 to open the Find window in IE.

Find

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Bob-C · 05-23-2008

I meant is there a way to add the Windows Switcher item to the context menu on IE?

**Brink** · 05-23-2008

Bob,

I'm not sure, but I will look into it for you.

Shawn

UPDATE:
Sorry Bob,

I cannot find a way to add it to the IE7 context menu.

I would think that it would be just as easy to use from Quick Launch or the context menu from the Desktop though.

charlie_ · 05-26-2008

Great!
thanks, very useful!

03-07-2008
teamster776 vista premium 64bit 2 posts	Re: Flip 3D - Add to Context Menu Great tutorial! thx
My System Specs

03-07-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Flip 3D - Add to Context Menu Your welcome teamster776, and welcome to Vista x64 Forums. Shawn
My System Specs

03-16-2008
cicciox64 Vista Ultimate x64 1 posts	Re: Flip 3D - Add to Context Menu Thanks Brink for this tutorial, I am learning a lot. PS: this is my first post.
My System Specs

03-16-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Flip 3D - Add to Context Menu Your welcome cicciox64, and welcome to Vista x64 Forums. Shawn
My System Specs

05-22-2008
Bob-C Vista Home Premium 32bit 3 posts	Re: Flip 3D - Add to Context Menu Shawn, That is a GREAT addition. The 3-D Flip is a great feature that I was disappointed Microsoft didn't give a quicker way to access. I wish the Microsoft team would concentrate on adding features like this INSTEAD of removing or relocating (burying) good feature like the Find context menu in Explorer. Your hack improves productivity while the later only causes confusion, frustration and a waste of time. [End of rant] Thanks for tip. Is there a way we could also add this to the right click menu on IE?
My System Specs

05-22-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Flip 3D - Add to Context Menu Hi Bob-C, I do not know of a way to add Find to the Context Menu, but you can press Ctrl+F or F3 to open the Find window in IE. Find Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

05-23-2008
Bob-C Vista Home Premium 32bit 3 posts	Re: Flip 3D - Add to Context Menu I meant is there a way to add the Windows Switcher item to the context menu on IE?
My System Specs

05-23-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: Flip 3D - Add to Context Menu Bob, I'm not sure, but I will look into it for you. Shawn UPDATE: Sorry Bob, I cannot find a way to add it to the IE7 context menu. I would think that it would be just as easy to use from Quick Launch or the context menu from the Desktop though.
My System Specs

05-26-2008
charlie_ Vista Home Premium 32bit 2 posts	Re: Flip 3D - Add to Context Menu Great! thanks, very useful!
My System Specs

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