Personalize - Add or Remove Expanding Desktop Context Menu

How to Add or Remove Expanding "Personalize" Desktop Context Menu in Windows 7 and Windows 8

information   Information
This tutorial will show you how to add or remove a custom Personalize expanding desktop context menu for all users in Windows 8 and Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise.

While all users can use this context menu, you must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

warning   Warning
This tutorial will not work in the Windows 7 Starter and Windows 7 Home Basic editions since they do not have the personalization features included in them.

For the Windows 7 Starter and Windows 7 Home Basic editions, see OPTION TWO in the tutorial link below to add Personalize instead.

Desktop Background - Change in Windows 7 Starter


EXAMPLE: Custom Expanding "Personalize" Desktop Context Menu
Desktop_Context_Menu.jpg





Here's How:

1. If you have not aleady, you will need to first take ownership in Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1, and set permissions to Allow the Administrators group Full control of both the Personalize and command registry keys below. (see screenshot below)

NOTE: If you already did this step previously, then you will not need to do it again.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\Personalize
Personalize.jpg
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\Personlize\command
command.jpg


2. Do either step 3 or 4 below for what you would like to do.


3. To Use the Custom Expanding "Personalize" Desktop Context Menu
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 5 below.​
Use_Custom_Personalize_Desktop_Context_Menu.reg
download


4. To Restore the Default "Personalize" Desktop Context Menu
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 5 below.​
Restore_Default_Personalize_Desktop_Context_Menu.reg
download


5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK.

7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • Use_Custom_Personalize_Desktop_Context_Menu.reg
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  • Restore_Default_Personalize_Desktop_Context_Menu.reg
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Last edited by a moderator:
Wow, I guess I have some problem over here. See this pic:

Screenshot (54).png

Look at that, the Personalize context menu is not expandable. Why?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hewlett-Packard
    CPU
    Intel Core i3 2328M CPU 2.2GHz
    Motherboard
    InsydeH2O F.12
    Memory
    2 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon 7400M Series
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST500LM012 HN-M500MBB
    PNY Transformer USB Device
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Synaptics PS/2 Port TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    7.2 MB/s
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Hello Akip, and welcome to Eight Forums.

It looks like you may have missed the second part of step 1 for the registry key below. Please double check and try again to see if that was it. :)

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\Personlize\command
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Yeah sorry, I forgot that step.

Thanks Shawn
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hewlett-Packard
    CPU
    Intel Core i3 2328M CPU 2.2GHz
    Motherboard
    InsydeH2O F.12
    Memory
    2 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon 7400M Series
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST500LM012 HN-M500MBB
    PNY Transformer USB Device
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Synaptics PS/2 Port TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    7.2 MB/s
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
No problem. I'm just glad that you got it working. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hello,

I followed the tutorial. Personalize menu is running smoothly at first. It is always disappearing automatically after a short time (Windows 7 - Ultimate / 64 bit). I don't know why...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    MSerif
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft
Hello MSerif, and welcome to Eight Forums. :)

Odd. Do you know if this happens after a Windows Update?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hello MSerif, and welcome to Seven Forums. :)

Odd. Do you know if this happens after a Windows Update?

Thank you (albeit this is eightforums) :)

I don't think that problem is related about Windows updates. I had this issue from the beginning.

I also tried with WinAero; same problem... It is automatically deleted from the Registry. However, there is no problem with the other registry keys (on context menu).
 

Attachments

  • Context.png
    Context.png
    6.3 KB · Views: 314

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    MSerif
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft
Are you using any 3rd party tweaking type program that could be removing it by mistake?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Are you using any 3rd party tweaking type program that could be removing it by mistake?

Yes. Kerish Doctor running in the background. If the registry key is deleted by Kerish Doctor, I will look for a setting for it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    MSerif
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft
If you don't see a setting, you could see if the context menu stays after temporarily disabling or uninstalling "Kerish Doctor".
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I did a full scan with Kerish Doctor. The program listed registry errors. I saw the personalize registry key. I ignored the file. I think the problem is resolved. :)

Thank you for your help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    MSerif
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft
Great news. :party:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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