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Shell extensions are COM objects that add capabilities to Windows. When you right-click a Windows file, you'll often see menu entries for specific programs like WinZip or backup utilities; those menus were created by adding shell extensions to the operating system. NirSoft's ShellExView is a free utility that displays the details of any shell extensions installed on a PC and lets you enable or disable them individually. You can generate reports and save and export results to different file types for archiving or troubleshooting, such as diagnosing problems with context menus or when right-clicking is slow or doesn't work.
ShellExView is standalone freeware that is totally portable, and at 54KB, it's tiny enough to fit on practically any portable device or storage medium. We clicked the program icon, and ShellExView's compact Windows-style interface opened with a blank main view that, after a few seconds of searching, populated itself with all our system's shell extensions. The main view is similar to an e-mail in-box, with categories you can change as well as drag to expand or sort to choice. These displayed information like the extension's name, status, size, attributes, description, version, and product; even a tiny icon for each object type; although that's just a fraction of the information ShellExView extracts. Right-clicking any selected shell extension calls up a menu of more options, including the ability to save and copy selected items, generate HTML reports, and open an item in RegEdit. Selecting Properties on the menu or clicking the Properties icon calls up a detailed dialog for any selected item. The taskbar icons include a pair of dots: red for disabling an object, and green for enabling it. We scanned the list for a shell extension associated with an unused program since stopping a Windows extension can cause booting trouble, as a Warning Message advised. Selecting one, we clicked the red icon, and a message asked us if we wanted to stop the process. We did, and it did; same for the green button, only in reverse: clicking it re-activated the extension. This is a simple tool that's easy to use and effective.
This handy, free utility adds a useful capability to Windows, ironically by letting you view something else that adds a useful capability to Windows. That works for us, though.
Publisher's Description
From NirSoft Freeware:
Shell Extensions are in-process COM objects which extends the abilities of Windows operating system. Most shell extensions are automatically installed by the operating system, but there are also many other applications that install additional shell extension components. For example: If you install WinZip on your computer, you'll see a special WinZip menu when you right-click on a Zip file. This menu is created by adding a shell extension to the system.
What's new in this version: Version 1.76 has fixed an issue that properties window opened in the wrong monitor, on multi-monitors system.
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 4 votes
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Current version:
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Results 1-4 of 4
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"Good idea, but"
Version: ShellExView 1.50
Pros
Good idea, it's free
Cons
But it's very cryptic and lacks documentation
Summary
Not worth the trouble.
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"Easy to use."
Version: ShellExView 1.50
Pros
Simple to download and install. Good basic information provided. Not sure what to do with the information.
Cons
Need better guidance around using the product.
Summary
Good product for simple needs and uses.
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"Perfect for fixing Right-click hangs"
Version: ShellExView 1.47
Pros
*Can fix problems with hanging or crashing right clicks
*very useful for cutting down on clutter
*Could be used to get rid of aspects of click hijackersCons
User interface could be better
Summary
This tool is a lifesaver... my computer (ever since i've had it) has always been unreliable. I'd do virus scans- install new software- delete old stuff. Nothing fixed one annoying problem. Every time i right clicked, or opened the start menu, or opened a new folder, the system would hang- anywhere from 5 seconds to 10 minutes.
Explorere.exe (the system process which displays the taskbar and right-click menus) can get clogged up with stuff not needed, and this program can be used to help. It's likely if you ever install programs (especially utilities, virus scanners, and media players) you'll get some extra context menus you don't want.
Most buttons on the context menu you'll never use and don't need (I don't even know what "Send to OneNote" does and i've never used it) and this tool can help you disable (i would recommend disabling not deleting unless it's broken)
Effects were immediate after closing. RIght click responds instantly, folders open quickly. IT works so much better now. -
"Highlighted and easy to disable corrupt extensions"
Version: ShellExView 1.47
Pros
Simple to highlight and disable the highlighted extensions.
Cons
No issues to report
Summary
This feature saved me from reinstalling Windows 7, I lost my right click options and every time I would right click it crashed explorer. Once installed and the damaged/ corrupt files windows 7 Right click now works great.
