HKCR\Directory\Background\shell vs HKCR\Directory\Shell

20H2x64

I'd appreciate if someone can explain the differences between these 2 reg locations --

HKCR\Directory\Background\shell vs HKCR\Directory\Shell

specifically as regards customizing the context menu --
and WHERE the context menu is invoked --

• clicking on the desktop,
• clicking on a folder "background",
• clicking on a folder name,
• clicking on a file name,
• clicking on a drive

I've learned alot from studying the various context menu customizations
both here and on Win7 forum, and I've experimented with creating some of my own.

Today I looked at these 2 locations and saw some of the same entries,
but also a few different -

So basically I want to know -- what kind of entry goes into which location?

Also, I have searched quite a bit and accumulated some pretty good articles
concerning customizing the context menu,
but if anyone can recommend their favorites, I'm always keen to learn more.

Thank you

Ha! Just before bed last night, I came across this app -
and your suggestion was my exact thought of what to study next today -
what a great confirmation you suggest it!

It was also interesting to discover that "Sordum" is Nir Sofer --
I've used alot of his great apps from Nirsoft, but never knew he was also Sordum.

Thanks @dalchina

newdev said:

...anyone can recommend their favorites...

I add entries to the Top Root/shell...,

Available anywhere, and, I can't be bothered floating around looking for the appropriate cascading menu...

Thx @Edwin -- this is also the knowledge I'm after, like --

"Where's the biggest lever?" Where can I get the most effective outputs w/ the least inputs?

I'm in the VM playing with Nir's Easy Context Menu - now I'll take this method for a few spins

So I've just spent several interesting days experimenting and playing with creating menus.

Several apps proved quite useful in understanding context menu behaviors --

sometimes I used the app to create a new menu or cascading menu,
then went into Registry and studied/copied/made notes of how it was done --
then created the same structure(s) on my own.

These apps include:

* (freeware) AskVG Right Click Context Menu Adder 2.0
* (freeware) Easy Context Menu (Nir Sofer @ sordum.org)
* (freeware or Paid for more features) Right Click Enhancer (Pro)

I bought Right Click Enhancer Pro awhile ago -
it uses the "CommandStore" method to create multi-menus/cascading menus

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CommandStore

-- this might be the easiest/fastest way for a hobbyist (vs an I.T. 'pro') to understand context menu dynamics.

-----------------------------------------

Then I came across a very good article by Salvador Aleguas
titled "Create Cascading Context Menus With the Windows 10 Registry"

Create Cascading Context Menus With the Windows 10 Registry | by Salvador Aleguas | Analytics Vidhya | Medium

He shows a different method than 'CommandStore' --
a method which creates new 'shell' keys w/ empty 'subcommands' string values.

The takeaway essence is this:

Files (Rclick a file):

HKCU - or - HKLM\Software\Classes*\shell\

Directory (Rclick a directory aka folder):

HKCU - or - HKLM \Software\Classes\Directory\shell\

Desktop & Directory Background (Rclick the Desktop OR a directory/folder):

HKCU - or - HKLM \Software\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\

Drives (Rclick a Drive Letter:\ )

HKCU - or - HKLM \Software\Classes\Drive\shell\

Desktop ONLY (Rclick the Desktop):

HKCR\ DesktopBackground\shell\ - or -

HKLM\ SOFTWARE\Classes\DesktopBackground\

------------------------------------
To answer my original post question -- HKCR\Directory\Background\shell vs HKCR\Directory\Shell ,

HKCR\Directory\Background\shell shows Rclick on the Desktop OR a folder background,

whereas HKCR\Directory\Shell shows w/ a Rclick directly ON a folder/directory.

Finally - here's a combo pic of my context menu mods: