Enhance Right-Click Menu Usage

I’m sure many users are familiar on how to get to the many different settings and items within the Windows operating system. Sometimes we do it so often that the procedure on how to do it becomes ingrained into our memory. We do it without having to put any thoughts on it whatsoever. For the most part, it’s not a problem until we have to repeatedly perform those same procedures over a period of time. While we could just plant a shortcut icon pointing to, say, the Computer Management snap-in on our Desktop, it’s waste of space. I mean you do want to look at that new wallpaper you’ve just set right? So, what can we do to be able to easily access our most used Windows built-in items and features without having to click so much mouse buttons? Simple. We store those “shortcuts” on our right-click menu!

Right-Click Extender (RCE) is a freeware for Windows 7 and Windows Vista which allows you to easily pin some of the most used items and features in Windows directly on your right-click menu. Although RCE can be used in Windows XP, not all of the items listed will work correctly as many items are clearly not included in this older operating system. It’s a very simple tool to use as you just simply select what you want pinned to your right-click menu and that’s it! Do you head over to the Computer Management snap-in frequently? Then you’ll want to definitely pin that item. Whenever you then need to access it, simply right-click on your desktop and then choose that option from that menu. Need to quickly create a sticky note? Simply enable that item within RCE and from then on, you can easily create a sticky note to pin on your desktop by simply accessing the Sticky Notes item on the menu.

You can download Right-Click Extender from here.

It’s a self-executable so no installation is needed. Simply download and extract the folder to a location of choice. RCE works by altering your registry files. As you might have heard numerous times, the registry is a very dark place within Windows and normal users shouldn’t screw around in it. One wrong move and you could end up with a malfunctioning system. Therefore, the first time you start RCE, the application is smart enough to automatically back up the two main sections within your registry. If something goes wrong after playing around with RCE, simply perform a restore by doubling clicking on the registry file backups in the Backup folder.

Alright, so with that out of the way, let’s explore RCE. As mentioned earlier, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out how to use RCE. Once you figured out what you want to enable, simply check the check box and hit Apply. To remove the options, simply click on it again to remove the check mark and hit Apply. Next to some items are the options for Icon and Shift+Click. The former simply places an appropriate icon next to the option in the right-click menu. The latter allows RCE to only show the options if you hold the Shift key while right-clicking on the item. This helps avoid cluttering your right-click menu when used under normal circumstances.

You’ll be presented with four different categories of options which apply to different areas or items within Windows. First up on the list is the Files/Folders category. Options you enable here will be present in your right-click menu whenever you right-click on a file or folder. If you move or copy a lot of files around within Windows, you’ll definitely be interested in the Copy To and Move To options. By enabling them, you can easily copy or move files and folders without having to first open the destination folder (drag-n-drop). Simply right-click on your source file/folder, select Copy or Move To and then a window will appear allowing you to browse for the destination. It can be very handy. Do you encrypt a lot of files? Save some mouse clicking by enabling the Encrypt/Decrypt option. Now you can encrypt or decrypt files and folders without first having to go into the Properties menu.

Next up is the Desktop area. Here, options will be displayed in your right-click menu whenever you right-click an empty area on your desktop. As you can see, you definitely have the most options in this category. Majority of them are just simply shortcuts to areas or items that you normally explore or use within Windows. I love the Snipping Tool to take quick screenshots and so it’s one option I’ll definitely enable. The Computer Management snap-in is also a good choice for many. Although completely useless to me, there is the option to enable God Mode. This is just a location where all tasks items are conveniently located under one explorer window. Oh, and who can ignore the Empty Recycle bin option?

Next, we have the Drives category. These options will appear in the menu whenever you right-click on a hard drive icon within Computer. Not much going on here as you normally wouldn’t right-click on a hard drive icon anyways. Windows Vista and Windows 7 automatically defrags your hard drive when idle so you don’t have to worry about that. Who actually still uses the Disk Cleanup utility? The Manage option is the same as Computer Management mentioned above.

Last but not least, you have My Computer. Here, the options will appear whenever you right-click on the Computer icon in your Start menu. You pretty much have the same options to play with as in the Desktop area.

If for any reason your computer is acting more sluggish after applying some of RCE tweaks, you can head over to the Backups area to perform a restore.