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How to add Xbox Game Pass games to the File Explorer context menu on Windows 11

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Published onMarch 29, 2022

published onMarch 29, 2022

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If you’re looking to get add and removeitems to the File Explorer context menuto launch a frequently used application, you’re not alone. You can add and remove applications, add quick actions, and add and remove any apps you want with a simple registry hack on Windows. Here’s what to do.

Adding Applications to File Explorer context menu on Windows

Adding Applications to File Explorer context menu on Windows

This technique will work if you are using Windows 11, but can also work on PCs running Windows 7 and up.

Using this simple registry hack, you can add any application you want, with the ability to launch straight into a game of Forza Horizon 5. Here’s what to do.

  1. Open theWindows Registry Editor

  2. Navigate to the following location to add and remove items from the File Explorer context menu:

If you’re an administrator:HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellIf you’re a normal user:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\directory\Background\shell

  1. Once completed, right-click on the “shell” key and clickNew > Keyfrom the menu.

  2. Give the new key a name as you want it to show up in the Windows desktop and File Explorer context menu. For this example, I will useForza Horizon 5.

  3. Under the new key you just created, create another new key by clickingNew > Keyfrom the menu. Rename this keycommand.Thecommandkey will hold the command used to launch the application you want to use in the File Explorer context menu.

  4. Next, you will need to copy and paste the full path of the Windows application that you want to use. Find the application you want to use, right-click and choose theCopy as path.

  5. Copy and paste the file path into thecommandkey value and clickOK.Close the Registry Editor when you are finished adding applications to the File Explorer context menu.

No need to restart your PC for the changes to take effect, they are ready as soon as you complete these steps. Now, you can access the application you just added by right clicking anywhere on the desktop.But what if you want to add an icon to your application? Here’s what to do.

Add an icon to the File Explorer context menu

Add an icon to the File Explorer context menu

One extra step that I discovered is that you can use a custom icon next to your new context menu application. Here’s what to do.

  1. In the new context menu application that you created, add a string value nameiconfor the new application key you just created.2. Copy and paste the path name for any icon on your PC.3. ClickOKand close the Registry Editor when you are finished.

Now, I can hop in and out of whatever applications and games I want with a simple right click on my mouse. This is the fastest way to play any Xbox game you want, at will. Sure, it’s not practical, but that doesn’t mean it’s not useful.

What applications will you add and remove from your Windows File Explorer context menu on Windows 11? Let us know in the comments!

davew

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