Personalization Add or Remove "Open file location" and "Open folder location" context menu in Windows


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Open_Location_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Open file location and Open folder location context menu for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

When you right click or press and hold on a shortcut of a file or folder, a file or folder in search results, or a file or folder in a library in File Explorer, you can click/tap on the Open file location or Open folder location context menu item to open the source location of the file or folder with the file or folder selected.


You must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove the Open file location and Open folder location context menu.

This will not affect the Open file location context menu in the Start menu and taskbar jump lists.



EXAMPLE: "Open file location" and "Open folder location" context menu

Open_file_location_context_menu-1.png
Open_file_location_context_menu-2.png
Open_folder_location_context_menu-1.png
Open_folder_location_context_menu-2.png



Here's How:

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

2 Add "Open file location" and "Open folder location" context menu for All Users

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_Location_context_menu_for_all_users.reg


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

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.symlink\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]
@="{37ea3a21-7493-4208-a011-7f9ea79ce9f5}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\LibraryLocation\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]
@="{37ea3a21-7493-4208-a011-7f9ea79ce9f5}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]
@="{37ea3a21-7493-4208-a011-7f9ea79ce9f5}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PinnedRecentDocument\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]
@="{37ea3a21-7493-4208-a011-7f9ea79ce9f5}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\RecentDocument\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]
@="{37ea3a21-7493-4208-a011-7f9ea79ce9f5}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\RecommendationsFile\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]
@="{37ea3a21-7493-4208-a011-7f9ea79ce9f5}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Results\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]
@="{37ea3a21-7493-4208-a011-7f9ea79ce9f5}"

3 Remove "Open file location" and "Open folder location" context menu for All Users

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

Remove_Open_Location_context_menu_for_all_users.reg


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

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.symlink\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\LibraryLocation\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PinnedRecentDocument\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\RecentDocument\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\RecommendationsFile\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Results\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]

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
 

Attachments

  • Open_Location.png
    Open_Location.png
    2.1 KB · Views: 58
  • Add_Open_Location_context_menu_for_all_users.reg
    2.3 KB · Views: 52
  • Remove_Open_Location_context_menu_for_all_users.reg
    1.7 KB · Views: 54
Last edited:
I have had these in my menu automatically for some time. Ive never used any registry tweak etc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Version 22H2(OS Build 22621.963)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    AMD
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 8 Core
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte X570 Aorus Pro WiFi
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    PCI Express 3.0 x16: PowerColor RX Vega 56 Red Dragon
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220 and AMD Greenland - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 - 27 inch Westinghouse
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 SSD - 2 TB each
    1 HDD - 2 TB
    Keyboard
    logitech
    Mouse
    logitech
    Internet Speed
    1 GB
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Avast Premium
I have had these in my menu automatically for some time. Ive never used any registry tweak etc.

Hello, :alien:

Yep, they are there by default. It's mostly for if one wanted to remove them.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
I happened across this thread in connection with another (probably unrelated) problem that I have posted in another thread:
("Open file location" or “Save image as” opens to Desktop folder instead of target folder.)

Re this thread - I looked at my own registry. The items in your suggested reg file are empty in mine. For example:
Your:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\OpenContainingFolderMenu]
@="{37ea3a21-7493-4208-a011-7f9ea79ce9f5}"

In mine it simply shows as
Capture.PNG

All of the items in your reg file are empty in the same way in my registry. I do have 'Open file location' in my context files so that is somewhat confusing.

Of course, what I am wondering is whether the absent reg file entries might have something to do with the 'wrong target' problem I mentioned above.

Any thoughts? Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Desktop TE02-0xxx
    CPU
    2.10GHz Intel 12th Gen Core i7-12700
    Motherboard
    HP 'BlizzardU' 894B 10; Chipset Intel ADL Z690
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 3050
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP27er
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    256GB NVMe SSD
    2TB HDD
    PSU
    600W
    Case
    Desktop Tower
    Cooling
    Air
    Keyboard
    Logitech K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    25Mps (Max)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows native security
    Other Info
    HP replaced SSD under warranty in November, 2023.
Hello @retexan599, :alien:

I just checked in build 25987 (Canary), but my registry still has all the same values in the Add REG file.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Hello @retexan599, :alien:

I just checked in build 25987 (Canary), but my registry still has all the same values in the Add REG file.
So, for some reason, my context menus have the 'Open file location', even though I do not have those entries in my registry. Wonder how that works. Perhaps I should go ahead and do the Add REG file, although don't want to mess up something.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Desktop TE02-0xxx
    CPU
    2.10GHz Intel 12th Gen Core i7-12700
    Motherboard
    HP 'BlizzardU' 894B 10; Chipset Intel ADL Z690
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 3050
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP27er
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    256GB NVMe SSD
    2TB HDD
    PSU
    600W
    Case
    Desktop Tower
    Cooling
    Air
    Keyboard
    Logitech K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    25Mps (Max)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows native security
    Other Info
    HP replaced SSD under warranty in November, 2023.
So, for some reason, my context menus have the 'Open file location', even though I do not have those entries in my registry. Wonder how that works. Perhaps I should go ahead and do the Add REG file, although don't want to mess up something.
You could create a restore point before doing so to have if needed, but it shouldn't be an issues since it's the default registry entries.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
You could create a restore point before doing so to have if needed, but it shouldn't be an issues since it's the default registry entries.
OK, thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Desktop TE02-0xxx
    CPU
    2.10GHz Intel 12th Gen Core i7-12700
    Motherboard
    HP 'BlizzardU' 894B 10; Chipset Intel ADL Z690
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 3050
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP27er
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    256GB NVMe SSD
    2TB HDD
    PSU
    600W
    Case
    Desktop Tower
    Cooling
    Air
    Keyboard
    Logitech K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    25Mps (Max)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows native security
    Other Info
    HP replaced SSD under warranty in November, 2023.
Hello again. I ran the REG file as you show above. However it did not change any of the registry values noted in the REG file. They still show
Capture.PNG
I have a feeling that my system image has a number of problems (e.g. the problem I mentioned in my earliest post) where Open Folder location from a right click on a file, always defaults to the Desktop Folder instead of the target folder. If you have any thoughts, would appreciate.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Desktop TE02-0xxx
    CPU
    2.10GHz Intel 12th Gen Core i7-12700
    Motherboard
    HP 'BlizzardU' 894B 10; Chipset Intel ADL Z690
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 3050
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP27er
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    256GB NVMe SSD
    2TB HDD
    PSU
    600W
    Case
    Desktop Tower
    Cooling
    Air
    Keyboard
    Logitech K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    25Mps (Max)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows native security
    Other Info
    HP replaced SSD under warranty in November, 2023.
Hello again. I ran the REG file as you show above. However it did not change any of the registry values noted in the REG file. They still show
Capture.PNG
I have a feeling that my system image has a number of problems (e.g. the problem I mentioned in my earliest post) where Open Folder location from a right click on a file, always defaults to the Desktop Folder instead of the target folder. If you have any thoughts, would appreciate.
You could see if a repair install of Windows 11 like below may help fix some of those issues without losing anything.

 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium

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