When you are running a Windows operating system on your computer, you will likely encounter the cumbersome and somewhat annoying process of opening “unknown files” periodically. You know the one – you have a file that you want to open, but Windows does not recognize the file type. It lets you know by popping up a large window that asks you to choose from a bunch of different programs and applications to open the file, as well as giving you the option of searching the web for a program or application associated with that file type that you might be able to use.
This is a time consuming and rather annoying issue for many PC users. You will run into it a lot if you are a web designer – whether by trade or just someone that dabbles – because Windows does not automatically associate files like PHP with any one program. What you need to view and edit that PHP file, though, is likely Notepad – and the same is true for many other “unknown” file types that Windows won't automatically open on its own.
Fortunately, there is an easy fix for this. You can add an “open with Notepad” option to your Context Menu, and use that option to avoid getting hit with that giant list of programs you have to sort through in order to find the one you need. What is also interesting and useful is that this same fix can be used to add any other application or program to the Context Menu instead – all you have to do is change the Notepad specific items in the fix to the editor or other program of your choice, and presto – it will be listed in the Context Menu!
Before you try this fix, though, please be aware – this is a registry change. Changes to your registry, if you do them incorrectly, can render your computer unstable or unusable. If you are not completely confident in your abilities to correctly edit your registry, then this fix is not for you. Do not attempt it – you do not want to risk your system if you are not sure you can pull it off properly!
With that said, then, here is how to edit your registry to add a new option to your Context Menu.
1.) Go to the Start menu, and then click on Run
2.) Run regedit.exe
3.) When the Registry Editor opens, search for the following key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell
4.) Right click on “shell” and then choose to create a new key.
5.) Call the new key “Open with Notepad”
6.) Create a new key below that one and call it “command.”
7.) Now double click on the (Default) value that you will find in the right hand pane, and type in the following: notepad.exe %1
The change this registry edit makes should take effect immediately. To check on it, just go and right click on any file and you should see the “Open with Notepad” entry in your Context Menu where it was not before!
Remember, you do not have to use Notepad for this. You can add another editor or program to your Context Menu in the same way. Just substitute notepad.exe with the program of your choice. And also remember – this is a fix that involves editing your registry. If you are going to attempt it, make sure that everything you type in is typed in exactly as stated above, in the exact places stated above. And if you are unsure about your ability to properly edit your registry, do not attempt it. You could break your computer entirely or severely mess it up if something goes wrong.
