How to Add or Remove Open with Context Menu in Windows 10


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

The "Open with" context menu is only available when a single file is selected, and not available when multiple (more than one) files are selected.

This tutorial will show how to add or remove the Open with context menu for all users in Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove the Open with context menu.


For a Windows 11 version of this tutorial, see:

Add or Remove Open with Context Menu in Windows 11


EXAMPLE: Open with context menu
Add or Remove Open with Context Menu in Windows 10-open_with_context_menu.png



Here's How:

1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.


2 To Add Open with Context Menu

This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Add_Open_with_context_menu.reg

Download

(Contents of .reg file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Open With]
@="{09799AFB-AD67-11d1-ABCD-00C04FC30936}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Open With EncryptionMenu]
@="{A470F8CF-A1E8-4f65-8335-227475AA5C46}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\batfile\shell\Open with\command]
@="{09799AFB-AD67-11d1-ABCD-00C04FC30936}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\IE.AssocFile.URL\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\{09799AFB-AD67-11d1-ABCD-00C04FC30936}]


3 To Remove Open with Context Menu

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Remove_Open_with_context_menu.reg

Download

(Contents of .reg file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Open With]

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Open With EncryptionMenu]

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\batfile\shell\Open With]

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\IE.AssocFile.URL\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\{09799AFB-AD67-11d1-ABCD-00C04FC30936}]


4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink