REG file doesn't work

exodia508766 · Dec 14, 2023

Im trying to add a custom command to Context Menu, but the command works in normal powershell window. Any help is appreciated.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\TurnOff]
"MUIVerb"="Close All Apps"
"icon"="imageres.dll,-5102"
"Position"="Bottom"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\TurnOff\command]
@="PowerShell -command "Get-Process | Where-Object {$_.MainWindowTitle -ne ''} | stop-process -Force"

BobOmb · Dec 14, 2023

You probably just need to add escape chars to the command, and you were missing a quote.

Code:

@="PowerShell -command \"Get-Process | Where-Object {$_.MainWindowTitle -ne ''} | stop-process -Force\""

trumpy81 · Dec 14, 2023

Try this link:

Add or Remove New context menu in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the New context menu for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11. The New context menu allows users to create a new Folder, Library, Shortcut, Bitmap image, Text Document, and Compressed (zipped) Folder by default in the current location. The New...

www.elevenforum.com

BobOmb · Dec 14, 2023

Here is the full fixed file to copy/paste:

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\TurnOff]
"MUIVerb"="Close All Apps"
"icon"="imageres.dll,-5102"
"Position"="Bottom"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\TurnOff\command]
@="PowerShell -command \"Get-Process | Where-Object {$_.MainWindowTitle -ne ''} | stop-process -Force\""

If you noticed me leaving the site for a second, thats because I tried it

This will close all open windows when selected from the right click context menu.

exodia508766 · Dec 14, 2023

So like when I tried those new .REG files, it closes most apps but not File Explorer, Task Scheduler, Event Viewer etc. But when I use the command in actual PowerShell, it closes those too. What am i missing ?

Berton · Dec 14, 2023

BobOmb said:
{$_.MainWindowTitle -ne ''}

Still learning PowerShell and have a question, in that portion above is the space after ne required and is the following two single quotes or a double quote?

exodia508766 · Dec 14, 2023

2 single quotes

BobOmb · Dec 14, 2023

exodia508766 said:
So like when I tried those new .REG files, it closes most apps but not File Explorer, Task Scheduler, Event Viewer etc. But when I use the command in actual PowerShell, it closes those too. What am i missing ?

For me Task Scheduler and Event Viewer close. File explorer however does not. I believe UWP based apps are overlooked. Best not to close explorer.exe unless you relaunch it afterwards, otherwise you would lose taskbar.

Also UAC may be preventing the others from closing.

exodia508766 · Dec 14, 2023

I tried it on Windows 10 as well, just to make sure and nope, it still did not work.

BobOmb · Dec 14, 2023

Berton said:
Still learning PowerShell and have a question, in that portion above is the space after ne required and is the following two single quotes or a double quote?

Basically it says cycle through all the processes and if the window title -not equal '' (or nothing) then close it. So close any open window. Data inside single quotes are taken literally and inside double quotes are interpreted. either could have been used in this instance, but it is cleaner to use singles or escape chars would have to be used.

Berton · Dec 14, 2023

Thanks

garlin · Dec 16, 2023

You might like the version I just posted here.

Add Close All Apps context menu in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to add "Close All Apps" to the desktop context menu for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Sometimes you may need or want to quickly close all open apps at once instead of one at a time without shutting down or restarting the computer. While you must be...

www.elevenforum.com

exodia508766 · Dec 16, 2023

Did you find out what was the problem ?

garlin · Dec 16, 2023

Your error was all quotes inside the @="..." must be escaped with leading \'s.

Code:

@="powershell \"command1; command2\""

exodia508766 · Dec 16, 2023

Is it possible to put your powershell command with escapes in .REG file without vbscript and scheduled task ? Can you show me how ?

garlin · Dec 17, 2023

If you skip the scheduled task feature, you will lose the ability to close elevated (Administrator) apps.

Here's the standalone .reg file:

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\TurnOff]
"MUIVerb"="Close All Apps"
"icon"="imageres.dll,-5102"
"Position"="Bottom"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\TurnOff\command]
@="cmd /c start \"\" /min powershell -Window Hidden \"(New-Object -ComObject Shell.Application).Windows() | foreach {$_.Quit()}; Get-Process | where {$_.SI -eq (Get-Process -PID $PID).SI -and $_.MainWindowHandle -ne 0 -and $_.Name -ne 'explorer'} | Stop-Process -Force\""