_ContextMenu() - Create an entry in the desktop contextmenu, with the program icon as well.

[guinness]

I created this after about adding an entry to the desktop contextmenu with an icon. I therefore thought it would be useful to create for those who would like to add an entry, but wouldn't know where to begin.

UDF:

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#include-once

; #AutoIt3Wrapper_Au3Check_Parameters=-d -w 1 -w 2 -w 3 -w 4 -w 5 -w 6
; #INDEX# =======================================================================================================================
; Title .........: _ContextMenu
; AutoIt Version : v3.2.12.1 or higher
; Language ......: English
; Description ...: Create an entry in the desktop contextmenu, with the program icon as well.
; Note ..........: Thanks to GEOSoft for the initial idea & LaCastiglione for the link on how to add an icon to the desktop contextmenu.
;                  Link: http://www.autoitscript.com/forum/topic/129677-need-an-answer-to-a-simple-problem/
; Author(s) .....: guinness
; Remarks .......: Special thanks to KaFu for EnumRegKeys2Array() which I used as inspiration for enumerating the Registry Keys.
; Warning .......: This has been tested on Windows 7 only.
; ===============================================================================================================================

; #INCLUDES# =========================================================================================================
; None

; #GLOBAL VARIABLES# =================================================================================================
; None

; #CURRENT# =====================================================================================================================
; _ContextMenu_Install: Creates an entry in the 'All Users/Current Users' registry for displaying a program entry in the desktop shell contextmenu.
; _ContextMenu_Uninstall: Deletes an entry in the 'All Users/Current Users' registry for displaying a program entry in the desktop shell contextmenu.
; ===============================================================================================================================

; #INTERNAL_USE_ONLY#============================================================================================================
; __ContextMenu_RegistryGet ......; Retrieve an array of registry entries for a specific key.
; ===============================================================================================================================

; #FUNCTION# =========================================================================================================
; Name...........: _ContextMenu_Install()
; Description ...: Creates an entry in the 'All Users/Current Users' registry for displaying a program entry in the desktop shell contextmenu.
; Syntax.........: _ContextMenu_Install($sText, [$sName = @ScriptName, [$sFilePath = @ScriptFullPath, [$sIconPath = @ScriptFullPath, [$iIcon = 0, [$iAllUsers = 0, [$iExtended = 0]]]]]])
; Parameters ....: $sText - Text to be shown in the contextmenu.
;                  $sName - [Optional] Name of the program. [Default = Script name]
;                  $sFilePath - [Optional] Location of the program executable. [Default = Full script location]
;                  $sIconPath - [Optional] Location of the icon e.g. program executable or dll file. [Default = Full script location]
;                  $$iIcon - [Optional] Index of icon to be used. [Default = 0 - Main icon]
;                  $iAllUsers - [Optional] Add to Current Users (0) or All Users (1) [Default = 0 - Current user]
;                  $iExtended - [Optional] Show in the Extended contextmenu using Shift + Right click. [Default = 0 - Show in main contextmeu.]
; Requirement(s).: v3.2.12.1 or higher
; Return values .: Success - RegWrite() Return code.
;                  Failure - none
; Author ........: guinness
; Example........; Yes
;=====================================================================================================================
Func _ContextMenu_Install($sText, $sName = @ScriptName, $sFilePath = @ScriptFullPath, $sIconPath = @ScriptFullPath, $iIcon = 0, $iAllUsers = 0, $iExtended = 0)
    Local $i64Bit = "", $sRegistryKey = ""

    If @OSArch = "X64" Then
        $i64Bit = "64"
    EndIf
    If $iAllUsers Then
        $sRegistryKey = "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" & $i64Bit & "\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\"
    Else
        $sRegistryKey = "HKEY_CURRENT_USER" & $i64Bit & "\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\"
    EndIf

    $sName = StringLower(StringReplace($sName, ".exe", ""))
    If $sName = "" Or $sFilePath = "" Then
        Return SetError(1, 0, 0)
    EndIf

    _ContextMenu_Uninstall($sName, $iAllUsers)

    RegWrite($sRegistryKey & $sName, "", "REG_SZ", $sText)
    RegWrite($sRegistryKey & $sName, "Icon", "REG_EXPAND_SZ", $sIconPath & "," & $iIcon)
    RegWrite($sRegistryKey & $sName & "\command", "", "REG_SZ", $sFilePath)
    If $iExtended Then
        RegWrite($sRegistryKey & $sName, "Extended", "REG_SZ", "")
    EndIf
    Return SetError(@error, 0, @error)
EndFunc   ;==>_ContextMenu_Install

; #FUNCTION# =========================================================================================================
; Name...........: _ContextMenu_Uninstall()
; Description ...: Deletes an entry in the 'All Users/Current Users' registry for displaying a program entry in the desktop shell contextmenu.
; Syntax.........: _ContextMenu_Uninstall([$sName = @ScriptName, [$iAllUsers = 0]])
; Parameters ....: $sName - [Optional] Name of the Program [Default = Script name.]
;                  $iAllUsers - [Optional] Was it added to Current Users (0) or All Users (1). [Default = 0 - Current user]
; Requirement(s).: v3.2.12.1 or higher
; Return values .: Success - Returns 2D Array of registry entries.
;                  Failure - Returns 0 and sets @error to 1.
; Author ........: guinness
; Example........; Yes
;=====================================================================================================================
Func _ContextMenu_Uninstall($sName = @ScriptName, $iAllUsers = 0)
    Local $aArray, $i64Bit = "", $sDelete, $sRegistryKey = ""

    If @OSArch = "X64" Then
        $i64Bit = "64"
    EndIf
    If $iAllUsers Then
        $sRegistryKey = "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" & $i64Bit & "\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\"
    Else
        $sRegistryKey = "HKEY_CURRENT_USER" & $i64Bit & "\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\"
    EndIf

    $sName = StringLower(StringReplace($sName, ".exe", ""))
    If $sName = "" Then
        Return SetError(1, 0, 0)
    EndIf

    $aArray = __ContextMenu_RegistryGet($sRegistryKey)

    If $aArray[0][0] > 0 Then
        For $A = 1 To $aArray[0][0]
            If $aArray[$A][0] = $sName And $sDelete <> $aArray[$A][1] Then
                $sDelete = $aArray[$A][1]
                RegDelete($sDelete)
            EndIf
        Next
    EndIf
    Return $aArray
EndFunc   ;==>_ContextMenu_Uninstall

; #INTERNAL_USE_ONLY#============================================================================================================
Func __ContextMenu_RegistryGet($sRegistryKey)
    Local $aArray[1][5] = [[0, 5]], $iCount_1 = 0, $iCount_2 = 0, $iDimension, $iError = 0, $sRegistryKey_All, $sRegistryKey_Main, $sRegistryKey_Name, $sRegistryKey_Value

    While 1
        If $iError Then
            ExitLoop
        EndIf
        $sRegistryKey_Main = RegEnumKey($sRegistryKey, $iCount_1 + 1)
        If @error Then
            $sRegistryKey_All = $sRegistryKey
            $iError = 1
        Else
            $sRegistryKey_All = $sRegistryKey & $sRegistryKey_Main
        EndIf

        $iCount_2 = 0
        While 1
            $sRegistryKey_Name = RegEnumVal($sRegistryKey_All, $iCount_2 + 1)
            If @error Then
                ExitLoop
            EndIf

            If ($aArray[0][0] + 1) >= $iDimension Then
                $iDimension = ($aArray[0][0] + 1) * 2
                ReDim $aArray[$iDimension][$aArray[0][1]]
            EndIf

            $sRegistryKey_Value = RegRead($sRegistryKey_All, $sRegistryKey_Name)
            $aArray[$aArray[0][0] + 1][0] = $sRegistryKey_Main
            $aArray[$aArray[0][0] + 1][1] = $sRegistryKey_All
            $aArray[$aArray[0][0] + 1][2] = $sRegistryKey & $sRegistryKey_Main & "\" & $sRegistryKey_Name
            $aArray[$aArray[0][0] + 1][3] = $sRegistryKey_Name
            $aArray[$aArray[0][0] + 1][4] = $sRegistryKey_Value
            $aArray[0][0] += 1
            $iCount_2 += 1
        WEnd
        $iCount_1 += 1
    WEnd
    ReDim $aArray[$aArray[0][0] + 1][$aArray[0][1]]
    Return $aArray
EndFunc   ;==>__ContextMenu_RegistryGet

Example 1:

#include "_ContextMenu.au3"

_Main()

Func _Main()
    _ContextMenu_Install("Start ContextMenu") ; Add the running EXE to the desktop contextmenu.
    Sleep(10000)
    _ContextMenu_Uninstall() ; Remove the running EXE from the desktop contextmenu.
EndFunc   ;==>_Main

All of the above has been included in a ZIP file. ContextMenu.zip

Warning: This has been tested on Windows 7 only.

Edited October 15, 2011 by guinness

[MrCreatoR]

Only tested on Windows 7.

Yep, not working on Win XP (SP3) .

[guinness]

Is it even possible as I found this "how to" in XP >> http://www.askvg.com/add-your-favorite-program-shortcut-in-desktop-context-menu-in-windows-xp/

Edited June 14, 2011 by guinness

[BrewManNH]

Not working on Vista either, but then these 2 are on their way out anyways.

[KaFu]

Yep, Win7 only. I use this technique in ICU, but sadly you either have to have UAC disabled or run the script as Admin, because you need access to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE reg-hive, which is restricted. Thanks for the appreciation ...

[MrCreatoR]

these 2 are on their way out anyways.

I have to disagree.

Well, the first one (XP) definitly will not go out at least for next 5 years, and the second one (Vista)... hm, as far as i know/feel, it's never have been "in"

[BrewManNH]

Just because people are still using Windows 95 doesn't mean it's still "in", same thing for XP in the next couple of years IMHO. But that's neither here nor there as far as the UDF goes, and no need to derail this any further.

[MrCreatoR]

Just because people are still using Windows 95 doesn't mean it's still "in", same thing for XP

You can't be serious really?

Windows XP used by ~50% of all windows users, that's more than other systems all togheter, so make the math

Edited June 14, 2011 by MrCreatoR

[wraithdu]

Oldie but goodie! You should allow for the possibility to use another EXE's icon or a DLL or an ICO file (all should work). Currently you're forcing the target app for the icon. Also you need to allow for command line params, otherwise it's pretty useless as a context menu entry.

Edited June 14, 2011 by wraithdu

[guinness]

Currently you're forcing the target app for the icon.

Try this perhaps? >>

_ContextMenu_Install("Open md5hash", "md5hash", "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe", 0)

Also you need to allow for command line params, otherwise it's pretty useless as a context menu entry.

Correct me if I'm wrong (which I could be sometimes) but I think this is a little different than adding to the entry "HKCR\md5hash\shell\open\command\" as this will only be shown when right clicking directly on the desktop/blank area of explorer or if you use the Extended parameter it will be shown when using Shift + Right Click. I found out the hard way yesterday by doing a little test and adding "%1" to the end of the FilePath It didn't work, but I thought I would try it. Thanks wraithdu for testing too.

Global $sFilePath = "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"

MsgBox(64, "Replace using %1 as the passed File.", StringReplace($sFilePath, '.exe', '.exe "%1"'))

Also KaFu I know/knew about ICU but I didn't copy from you scouts honour

Edited June 14, 2011 by guinness

[wraithdu]

Aw crap, ur right. I forgot these shortcuts can't have params, my bad. But I still think you need a separate param for an icon that's not the target exe.

Although this page could just be missing something from your reply... I'm on my phone in a meeting right now.

[guinness]

But I still think you need a separate param for an icon that's not the target exe.

Do do you mean have Internet Explorer as the Icon?

[wraithdu]

I mean the icon registry key can be ANY exe, dll, or ico. It does not need to be the target exe's icon. So you should allow that the icon parameter to your function be a full path to another exe, ico, or dll (with index).

[guinness]

But I thought thats what I had already, I'm really confused as to why this doesn't work for you? >> From my previous post, this will change the icon to IE on my system.

_ContextMenu_Install("Open md5hash", "md5hash", "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe", 0)

Edited June 15, 2011 by guinness

[wraithdu]

But doesn't this command open IE, while naming the entry 'Open md5hash'? It still uses the icon of whatever program you're opening. What if I want to open IE with a random shell32.dll icon?

Edited June 15, 2011 by wraithdu

[KaFu]

Definitely possible, take a look at the ICU source. Heres the MSDN documentation ("In Windows 7 and later, cascading menu implementation is supported through registry settings."):

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc144171%28VS.85%29.aspx#static_cascading

"Prior to Windows 7, the creation of cascading menus was possible only through the implementation of the IContextMenu interface." Maybe that's something for our AutoItObject team ...

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb776095%28v=VS.85%29.aspx

Edited June 15, 2011 by KaFu

[guinness]

wraithdu please except my apologies I wasn't thinking logically, perhaps tiredness was a huge factor?! I felt a little stupid when I was testing, it was an "of course!!" moment. I have updated the OP with your request.

Example of what you requested:

_ContextMenu_Install("Open md5hash", "md5hash", @ScriptDir & "\md5hash.exe", "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe", 0)

Edited June 15, 2011 by guinness

[wraithdu]

No problem! You could also leave the icon as a single param, then check the passed type: if it's an integer, use the target exe for the icon with the integer as the index; if it's a string, assume it is a path to another exe, dll, or ico, and use that explicitly. It would require the user to manually append any index though.

[guinness]

It's another idea true, I will leave if for today and see what others think as well.

[coffeeturtle]

Thanks Guinness! This is just what I've been looking for.

In the last few months, have there been any updates that allow this to work on WinXP (and I guess Vista)?

Would be sweet if this functionality or your UDF is incorporated to the latest Beta of AutoIt that was released last weekend.

However, I want to add a function of the application I want to link to within the contextMenu.

For example, MyPlayerApp has functions where it can either add to queue or play. If I right click an MP3 file, I want it to expose the functions and allow you to choose either Add to Queue or PLAY in "MyPlayerApp", not just open the player.

I hope I am making sense.

Any help in pointing me in the right direction would be much appreciated.

Edited September 16, 2011 by coffeeturtle