Windows Trick: How To Add Items To Your Windows Explorer Right Click Menu

The Windows Explorer is one of the cornerstones of every Windows operating system as it allows you to take action (copy, paste, cut etc’) on files and folders. A few month ago, I installed a new PC and found myself transferring a trillion of files to the new PC using the Windows Explorer. The thing that annoyed me the most is that i couldn’t make file moves between folders in one step : first i had to copy or cut the file/s from the source folder and then paste it/them in the destination folder).

Luckily, i found a nice trick that helped me to save plenty of time by allowing me to add a Move to Folder and Copy to Folder items to my Windows Explorer right click menu. After implementing it, i was able to easily copy and move files between different folders in one shot. The trick was tested in both Windows XP and Windows Vista.

Important! The trick’s implementation requires that you edit your Windows registry using the registry editor. This is an advanced task that if executed incorrectly incorrectly might cause serious problems that might require you to reinstall your operating system. Use the registry editor at your own risk.

• Before starting, backup your operating system registry file. Use instructions provided in section 2 here.
• Click Start.
• Vista users: in the Start Search type Regedit to open your Registry Editor.
• XP users: Click Run, then type Regedit to open your Registry Editor.
• Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers.
• Right Click and select New and then Key. Name the key Copy To.
• From the right hand side right click on the subkey named Default and select Modify.
• In the Value data field enter the following string: {C2FBB630-2971-11d1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}
• Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
• Right Click and select New and then Key. Name the key Move To.
• From the right hand side right click on the subkey named Default and select Modify.
• In the Value data field enter the following string: {C2FBB631-2971-11d1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}
• Click OK
• Close the Registry Editor

The Copy To Folder and Move To Folder options will appear when right clicking a file or folder in Windows Explorer.



Enjoy!