Restore MS Word & Excel File Types to New Context Menu


compupix

Active member
Local time
12:42 AM
Posts
56
OS
Windows 11
Google Drive hijacked my new file type options in the File Explorer context menu:

(From within a folder, right-click in an open space and select New.)

Google Drive set it to:
new.png

I tried to remove the Google options using Regedit, but they kept coming back!

Uninstalling Google Drive removed them:
2.png


Now, how do I add back Word .docx and Excel .xlxs options to the New context menu?
I tried reinstalling MS Office. It didn't make any changes to the New context menu.

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019
Word & Excel v. 2307 Build 16626.20170 Click-to-Run

Thanks!
 
Windows Build/Version
11 Home; 10.0.22621 Build 22621

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Del XPS 8940
    CPU
    Intel 7-10700
    Motherboard
    Dell 0KV3RP
    Memory
    16gb
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Kensington Expert Mouse KB64325
If you have a restore point prior to when Google Drive was installed you can attemp system restore
OR
You can manually fix it.

First go to Settings>Apps>Default apps. Scroll to bottom and click Choose defaults by file type.

Find .docx in list. Make sure it says "Microsoft Word Document". If it doesn't click on that file type and change it.

Do the same thing of file type .xlsx. Make sure it says Microsoft Excel Worksheet.

Browse to C:\Program Files Or Program Files (x86) if you are using 32 bit version. Select Microsoft Office. Verify the Office version. I believe it should say Office 16 (but I am not certain of that as MS versions don't always agree with the year)


BACKUP YOUR REGISTRY.
Then use this article for creating registry entries for BOTH file types.
NOTE-This was written pertaining to Word in Office 2007 (ie office version 12) You will have to substitute 12 with whatever version yours is. You will also have to substitute the path in the registry to the path where Office is located on your computer.

 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3447
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Those instructions are not very clear for my version of Office.
"Create a black Microsoft word .docx file with name WORD12.docx and it copy to
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\Windows\SHELLNEW folder"

I'll assume "black" should be "blank."
As you said, x86 doesn't apply for someone running a 64 bit version of Office. So, I don't have:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\vfs\Windows\SHELLNEW folder
I do have:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15
and
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\ClientX64

In Regedit, I have no folder "Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.docx"
At this point I had too many issues with those instructions to feel comfortable creating a new folder in the registry.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Del XPS 8940
    CPU
    Intel 7-10700
    Motherboard
    Dell 0KV3RP
    Memory
    16gb
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Kensington Expert Mouse KB64325
Uninstalling Microsoft Office then reinstalling it adds the Microsoft Office programs to the New context menu.
I don't know if my personal program customizations have been lost in the process.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Del XPS 8940
    CPU
    Intel 7-10700
    Motherboard
    Dell 0KV3RP
    Memory
    16gb
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Kensington Expert Mouse KB64325

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