Context Menu - Enable or Disable

INFO: This will show you how to enable or disable the right click Context menu for Windows Explorer, Desktop, and the All Programs section of the Start menu. This will affect all user accounts on the computer.

NOTE: By default the context menu is enabled in Vista. If you disable the context menu, then it will no longer be available for the above areas in INFO.

KEYBOARD SHORTCUT: Shift + F10

RELATED LINKS:
1. How to Add COPY TO FOLDER and MOVE TO FOLDER to the Context Menu in Vista

2. How to Customize the Context Menu for the Start Menu in Vista

3. How to Customize the Send To Context Menu in Vista

4. How to Customize the Recycle Bin Context Menu in Vista

5. How to Add Encrypt and Decrypt to the Context Menu in Vista

6. How to Add and Remove a New Menu Item in Vista

7. How to Add Take Ownership to the Context Menu in Vista

8. How to Copy the Full Path of a File or Folder in Vista

9. How to Restore the Search Context Menu Item after Installing the Vista SP1

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

11. How to Use Open Command Prompt Window Here in Vista

12. How to Restore or Remove New from the Context Menu in Vista

13. How to Expand the Context (Shortcuts) Menu in Vista

14. How to Remove or Show Drive Letters in the Vista Send To Context Menu

15. How to Add View and Print File Directory to the Context Menu in Vista

16. How to Add or Remove Copy as Path from the Vista Context Menu

17. How to Add or Remove Send To from the Vista Context Menu

18. How to Add or Remove Turn Aero On or Off from the Vista Context Menu

19. How to Add System Properties to Computer Context Menu in Vista


EXAMPLE: The Desktop, Windows Explorer, File, and Folder Context Menus
NOTE: These are the context menus that will be enabled or disabled.

Desktop.jpgWindows_Explorer.jpgFile.jpgFolder.jpg


OPTION ONE:
Through a Download:

1. To Disable the Contect Menu -
A) Disable_Context_Menu.reg < Click To Download

2. To Enable the Context Menu -
A) Enable_Context_Menu.reg < Click To Download

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.
4. Right click the .reg (On Desktop) file and click Merge.
NOTE: You will most likely need to double left click the Enable_Context_Menu.reg (On Desktop) file to merge it instead.

5. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.
6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.
7. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply the changes.
8. When done, you can delete the .reg file (On Desktop).


OPTION TWO:
The Manual Way:
1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.
3. Click the Continue button for the UAC prompt.
4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
NOTE: If you do not have Explorer, then right click on Polices and click New -> Key, then type Explorer and press Enter.

HKLM_Reg1.jpg

5. To Disable the Context Menu -
A) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click New and click DWORD (32 bit) Value. (See screenshot above)
B) Type NoViewContextMenu and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
C) Right click on NoViewContextMenu and click Modify.

HKLM_Reg2.jpg

D) Type 1 and click OK. (See screenshot below)

Modify.jpg

E) The registry should now look like this. (See screenshot below)
F) Go to step 7.

HKLM_Reg3.jpg

6. To Enable the Context Menu -
A) Right click on NoViewContextMenu and click Delete. (See screenshot above)
B) Click Yes to confirm the delete.

7. Close regedit.
8. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply the changes.


That's it,
Shawn