File explorer context menu disappearing on multiple items

the88g · 21 May 2020

I couldn't find anyone posting about this anywhere but I'm sure everyone will be able to replicate it easily. It's not a big deal but it has bugged me for years now, it didn't happen on Windows 7.

Either, drag highlight a bunch of files and/or folders and quickly right click, the menu will disappear
OR
Right click drag highlight a bunch of files and/or folders and let go off right click as soon as files are highlighted, menu disappears.

http://the88g.com/videoupload/Fileex...u%20Broken.m4v

(The 4th and 5th attempt in the video, it works OK because I delay slightly)

Some would say slow down but I'm sure many of you have been there, when you are in the zone and a glitch like this catches you out.

I have tried a disable all context menu additions using ShellExView but no luck. It appears to be a refresh in the File Explorer window updating information about multiple files highlighted and maybe there is no fix but is a shame.

Hope someone can give me assistance :)

Cheers
G.

Berton · 21 May 2020

I haven't used the drag to highlight a group of files in File Explorer or the earlier Windows Explorer in years, prefer the click one, hold down the Shift key and click the last desired gets everything between the two or hold down the Ctrl key and click random/individual files as a group then right-click to pick an action. Haven't had an issue with not seeing that context menu. Click and drag works fine in selecting text for copying, deleting, etc.

Since File/Windows Explorer is pretty much the core of Windows there may be other issues at play in the system.

the88g · 21 May 2020

So true, guess I could change my habits. You know when you've been highlighting files and right clicking this way for 20+ years, I thought, I must just ask, see if anyone knows a fix

dalchina · 21 May 2020

Hi, not a problem I'm experiencing. I can't see what context menu entries you have there, but if that's with having disabled all non-MS ones with Shellexview, there are some left.

Shellexview does not necessarily expose all context menu entries.

Please post a screenshot of your context menu after disabling all non-MS ones with Shellexview, both rt click and SHIFT rt click.
To post a screenshot please use the icon above your post Insert Image.

Autoruns (free from MS) has sections listed for context menu entries, so you could see if there are more you could disable with that.

the88g · 21 May 2020

Ah, Autoruns is a much better app. Thank you for the suggestion. I disabled all under "Explorer" and I seem unable to replicate the problem. It appears to have been 7-zip but when I removed it using the application's own settings, it didn't fix it! I'm gobsmacked tbh. Cheers again.

dalchina · 21 May 2020

(I have 7-zip installed ..no obvious problem..).

the88g · 21 May 2020

Well that is the thing, I've had this problem for years and now I am unable to replicate it after unticking and reticking all the Explorer entries in Autoruns, so now I'm truly baffled. I will keep an eye on it. Thanks again :)