[How To] Add Multiple File Selection Options To Context Menu

Recently while navigating through the Windows 8 File Explorer, I pointed out that whenever we have bulk of files to deal with, there is a helpful selection opti

Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin
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Recently while navigating through the Windows 8 File Explorer, I pointed out that whenever we have bulk of files to deal with, there is a helpful selection option in the ribbon.

This provided me the key idea to create this article. Actually after making some tweaks in Registry Editor, I was able to bring those selection options to context menu inside Windows 8. Hence using context menu, you can get same options everywhere expect Explorer also.

So without wasting anymore time, lets share the trick…

How To : Add Multiple File Selection Options To Context Menu

1. Press Windows Key + R and put regedit in Run dialog box to open Registry Editor (if you’re not familiar with Registry Editor, then click here). Click OK.

2. Navigate to the following location:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell

3. In the left pane of this location, create the key Select .

4. Now come to right pane of above created key, create following strings by right click -> New -> String Value and fill them with corresponding data:

icon – imageres.dll,-5308

MUIVerbSelect

SubCommands Windows.selectall;Windows.selectnone;Windows.invertselection

5. Repeat this procedure for these locations as well:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Library\Folder\Background\shell

6. Now go to following location, repeat step 3.

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell

7. Similar to step 4, create strings in right pane with following data:

icon – imageres.dll,-5308

MUIVerbSelect

SubCommands Windows.selectall

8. Close the Registry Editor to get results.

9. Whenever you want to remove the Select option from context menu, follow the negative of above steps and delete those strings and keys which you’ve created.

Download Direct Registries

To made the work easy, we’ve created direct registries. All you need to do is to open these files with Registry Editor. Click Yes for prompts.

Registry To Add Select

Registry To Remove Select

Reboot and get results.

Checkout the video tutorial:

Hope you enjoyed the tweak!

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Article by

Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin

Kapil holds Microsoft MVP title in Windows IT Pro expertise, 11-times in a row (2014-2025). He is 8-times Windows Insider MVP as well, and author of 'Windows Group Policy Troubleshooting' book. In 2015, Microsoft India accomplished him as 'Windows 10 Champion'. Being passionate Windows blogger, he loves to help others on fixing their system issues. Kapil has worked with official Microsoft Community Engagement Team (CET) on several community projects. You can subscribe him for news/updates and fixes for Windows.