Solved Problem with program names in Open with Context Menu in Windows 11

Paul Newton · Nov 13, 2022

I have PSPad.EXE (which shows as PSPad) set up as a choice for certain file types in the Open with context menu and it is working fine. Now I want a second choice in the Open with menu which I want to appear as "PSPad (Admin)".

In my Programs folder I have copied PSPad.EXE to PSPad (Admin).EXE and set it to run as Administrator. I can now select this program from Open with and choosing another program and can open my file for editing in Administrator mode.

However, thereafter, the Open with menu shows two entries but both are labelled "PSPad" so I cannot distinguish between them. I have tried various workarounds, e.g. PSPadAdmin.EXE instead of PSPad (Admin).EXE, creating and using shortcuts etc but all to no avail.

I have checked out the registry entries at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.FPW\OpenWithList and there is an entry for PSPad (Admin).EXE.

OAT · Nov 13, 2022

The file extension behavior in the registry was modified but was the class root modified as well?
For example, a .bat file is a batfile , a .cmd is a cmdfile.
Go there and see what I mean:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\cmdfile
There you can add the behavior such as run as, as the screenshot shows.

I have included the .reg file (changed to .txt) for cmdfile.
You can use that as an example.
Please use caution when manipulating the reg.

Paul Newton · Nov 13, 2022

I don't think that is what I am looking for. The article here
Reset and Clear Open with Context Menu for File Types in Windows 11
specifically states that Apps in the "Open with" context menu for a file type are stored in the OpenWithList key at:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\<file type>\OpenWithList
In my case the Open with menu looks like this

and the corresponding registry entries look like this

All I am trying to achieve is for the two Open with menu entries to be distinguishable from one another. It is almost as if Windows assigns the same "alias" - in this case "PSPad" - to both programs or executables.

Maybe there is somewhere in the registry where PSPadAmin.EXE is given or assigned an "alias" of PSPad?

You said that For example, a .bat file is a batfile , a .cmd is a cmdfile. That is true, but what I am looking at is an arbitrary file extension (it could be XYZ) and what programs Windows should offer to open files having that extension with.

OAT · Nov 13, 2022

What's the value under the .FPW key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\?

Paul Newton · Nov 13, 2022

OAT · Nov 13, 2022

in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ sorry.

Paul Newton · Nov 13, 2022

There isn't an entry for .FPW in HKCR but ....
I think this may have something to do with assigning a FriendlyAppName (not sure in which hive to do this but see this for a clue)

OAT · Nov 13, 2022

Brink just posted this. It might help you, it's pretty much what I was trying to explain in the previous post
Add Run as administrator to Context Menu of MSI Files in Windows 11

His is much clearer and more concise.

OAT · Nov 13, 2022

You could make it very easy for yourself and duplicate the PSPad editor folder, rename the copied folder to something else, rename the .exe as well to use for admin purpose and put in the fully qualified path to each version of the .exe in the reg.
I still the 'run as Admin' is better though but a little trickier to set up.

Paul Newton · Nov 13, 2022

Actually it was Brink who posted the tutorial I referred to earlier. I'll take a look at it and also investigate FriendlyAppName. It might not be until tomorrow when I can give feedback. Thanks for your help - will definitely be back in touch

OAT · Nov 13, 2022

Sounds good.

das10 · Nov 13, 2022

Re: FriendlyAppName
You could have a look to see if MUICacheView allows you to set the friedly name of the PSPadAdmin.exe to something more suitable.

MUICacheView - Edit/delete MUICache items

After you open MUICacheView, Right click the entry which shows PSPadAdmin.exe and in the Properties, you could change the friendly name.

Paul Newton · Nov 13, 2022

That was the answer - In HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache I changed the data for
C:\Program Files\PSPad editor\PSPadAdmin.exe.FriendlyAppName
from PSPad to PSPad (Admin) and it works

Many thanks to everybody for their contributions and help. I will still check out Brink's article and the MUICacheView link posted by das10. Am marking this as SOLVED!

OAT · Nov 13, 2022

Glad you got what you wanted, thanks to @das10 .

Solved Problem with program names in Open with Context Menu in Windows 11

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