Double-clicking a .reg file executes the .reg file correctly (i.e., invokes regedit.exe).
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Question
Merge context menu missing when right-click on .reg file on Vista Business x64
Hello,
When I right-click on a .reg file, I no longer have a "Merge" context menu option to select.
Double-clicking a .reg file executes the .reg file correctly (i.e., invokes regedit.exe).
I have attached a screenshot of what I see when I right-click on a .reg file.
I am running Vista Business x64 w/ UAC turned off.
Shift-right-click does not help, either (although that is not required to see Merge context menu).
I have not run any registry cleaners, and the system is otherwise working flawlessly.
Thoughts?
-RD
- RightClickMenuOptions.JPG
- 27 KB
screenshot of context menu when I right-click on a .reg file
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Answers
I thought that by using the following free utility, I might be able to track down where in the registry that context menu item might be found, but so far having no luck; maybe you will be able to see something I didn't:
http://www.nirsoft.net/uti
ShellExView v1.10 - Shell Extensions Manager
The only other tidbits of knowledge I can think of to add are: my understanding is that context menus for various file types are in two keys of the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT hive. For registry files, they would be in the key corresponding to .reg file extension, and they would be in the regfile key. Here are the contents on my Vista Ultimate computer of those keys:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.reg]
@="regfile"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.reg\Pe
@="{5e941d80-bf96-11cd-b57
and
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile
"EditFlags"=dword:00100000
@="Registration Entries"
"FriendlyTypeName"=hex(2):
00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,00
2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,2c
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00
00,5c,00,72,00,65,00,67,00
2c,00,31,00,00,00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00
00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00
74,00,65,00,70,00,61,00,64
00,22,00,00,00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile
@="Mer&ge"
"MUIVerb"=hex(2):40,00,25,
6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,72
00,78,00,65,00,2c,00,2d,00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile
@="regedit.exe \"%1\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00
00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00
74,00,65,00,70,00,61,00,64
00,22,00,25,00,31,00,22,00
You might compare these with your computer. Also, if you have another Vista computer without your problem, compare it to the problem computer, possibly even with some help from ShellExView.
Looking at what I copied from Notepad into the above comment, I'll bet the important part is this:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile
@="Mer&ge"
"MUIVerb"=hex(2):40,00,25,
6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,72
00,78,00,65,00,2c,00,2d,00
Before I posted, I compared these types of registry keys from a Vista x64 box that correctly displays the Merge context menu. I noted no differences.
To be sure, I just winmerge-ed an export of all the registry keys you identified, contrasting them to the ones you posted. They are all identical.
I will take a look at "ShellExView v1.10 - Shell Extensions Manager" when I get a chance.
Hi rdefuria,
Running the .REG file fix from the following link should fix this issue.
File association fixes for Windows Vista:
http://www.winhelponline.c
I will accept that as the solution.
The key part was not quite to run that .reg file you referenced.
But the bottom of that reg file referenced this key:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Softwar
To fix it on my box, I simply made that key match another Vista box here that worked correctly.
Thank you... acceptance coming next.
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by: LeeTutorPosted on 2009-05-15 at 08:54:34ID: 24397147
What happens if you double click on the reg file?
I think perhaps the registry tweak in the lefthand column of row 173 on this page (Repair the registry editor) might correct your problem. You may have to open it in Notepad and then manually make the registry changes using Regedit:
http://www.kellys-korner-x