Remove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows  

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    Remove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows

    Remove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows

    How to Remove Programs from "Open with" Context Menu in Windows
    Published by Category: Apps & Features
    23 Oct 2021
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Remove Programs from "Open with" Context Menu in Windows


    The Open with context menu allows users to choose an app to open a file with.

    Sometimes your "Open with" context menu may include programs you no longer want listed for a file extension. For example, an uninstalled program, or if you mistakenly opened a file with the wrong program.

    This tutorial will show you how to remove third-party programs from the Open with context menu for only your account in Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10.


    EXAMPLE: "Open with" context menu
    Remove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows-open_with_context_menu.jpg



    Here's How:

    1 Press the Win + R keys to open Run, type regedit into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Registry Editor.

    2 Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor. (see screenshot below)

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts

    Remove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows-remove_programs_from_open_with_context_menu-1.png

    3 Expand open the FileExts key, expand open the file extension (ex: ".jpg") key you want to remove an "Open with" item from, and click/tap on the OpenWithList key under it. (see screenshot below)

    Remove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows-remove_programs_from_open_with_context_menu-2.jpg

    4 In the right pane of the OpenWithList key, make note of the string value name letter (ex: "i") for the third-party program (ex: "Screenpresso.exe") data you want to remove, right click or press and hold on the string value (REG_SZ) of the third-party program (ex: "Screenpresso.exe") you want to remove, and click/tap on Delete. (see screenshot below)

    Remove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows-remove_programs_from_open_with_context_menu-3.jpg

    5 Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)

    Remove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows-remove_programs_from_open_with_context_menu-4.png

    6 In the right pane of the OpenWithList key, double click/tap on the MRUList string value to modify it. (see screenshot below)

    The order of the letters in the MRUList string value is the same order how the programs are displayed in "Open with".

    Remove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows-remove_programs_from_open_with_context_menu-5.png

    7 Edit out the same letter (ex: "i") from step 4 above from the other letters in the value data leaving no spaces, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshots below)

    Removing the letter (ex: "i") of the removed "Open with" program from the MRUList string value allows apps in "Open with" to get sorted and shown properly when a new value gets added.

    Remove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows-remove_programs_from_open_with_context_menu-6.png Remove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows-remove_programs_from_open_with_context_menu-7.png

    8 Repeat steps 3 to 7 for any other programs you want to remove from the "Open with" context menu for any file types.

    9 When finished, you can close Registry Editor if you like.


    That's it,
    Shawn






  1. bjm
    Posts : 118
    W10 Home 22H2
       #1

    tried to remove Slimjet remnant in Open with menu. I deleted i (by coincidence was Slimjet). FlashPeak Slimjet remains in menu?
    Remove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows-3902.pngRemove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows-3901.png
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hello bjm,

    If you like, you could try downloading and merging the .reg file for the pdf item in Option Two of the tutorial below to reset and restore the default associations and registry entries for .pdf files to clear this for you.

    You will need to set default app you want for it again afterwards though.

    Restore Default File Type Associations in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
      My Computers


  3. bjm
    Posts : 118
    W10 Home 22H2
       #3

    I ran Remove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows-3906.png + machine restart =
    Remove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows-3907.png

    ?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    In that case, you might see if you may be able to remove it using OpenWithView.

    OpenWithView - Disable/Enable items in the 'Open With' dialog-box of Windows



    If not, then you might see if reinstalling and uninstall the "FlashPeak Slimjet" program again may clear it in case it didn't fully uninstall last time.
      My Computers


  5. bjm
    Posts : 118
    W10 Home 22H2
       #5

    Remove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows-3908.png
    Guess, I'll need to (try) reinstall and uninstall the "FlashPeak Slimjet" program.
    Interesting.
    Thanks.
    Regards w Respect
    Last edited by bjm; 15 Oct 2018 at 18:50.
      My Computer


  6. bjm
    Posts : 118
    W10 Home 22H2
       #6

    Remove Programs from Open with Context Menu in Windows-3909.png
    Thanks
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Great news. You're most welcome.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 11
    Win10
       #8

    Hi, this does not work in Windows 10, at least with version 1903. OpenWithList key does not exist, and trying to add it along with an "a" item and MRUList, then reboot, did nothing. Any suggestions for version 1903? Thanks!
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    cniggeler said:
    Hi, this does not work in Windows 10, at least with version 1903. OpenWithList key does not exist, and trying to add it along with an "a" item and MRUList, then reboot, did nothing. Any suggestions for version 1903? Thanks!
    Hello cniggeler,

    This will not work to add a program to the Open With context menu.

    To add a program to Open With, you should be able to use step 3 in option 2 below

    Choose Default Apps in Windows 10
      My Computers


 

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