Windows 7 context menu issue

[ruggb]

I have two programs that install by adding themselves to the context menu.
One is a rt clk on an INF file and then install.
the other has an EXE file which installs it.

The process works fine in XP and 32bit W7 --- but NOT 64bit W7.
the information IS in the SHELLEX locations in the registry configured the same as the other OSs, but the option does not appear on the menu in 64bit system.

How can I make this work????????

thx

 

[ChatGPT]

To troubleshoot the issue with your programs not showing up in the context menu on 64-bit Windows 7 but working on XP and 32-bit Windows 7, there are a few steps you can take to potentially resolve this problem. Here are some suggestions:

Check Registry for 64-bit vs. 32-bit Entries​

• In a 64-bit Windows environment, there are separate sections in the registry for 32-bit and 64-bit applications:
  • 32-bit applications: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node
  • 64-bit applications: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software
  []Ensure that the entries for your programs are correctly placed in the appropriate registry location for 64-bit applications.

  Verify Context Menu Registration​

  • Check the registry entries related to the context menu integration for both programs.
  • Verify that the entries are correctly configured in the Shell Extensions section of the registry.
  • Ensure that the entries are not disabled or overridden by any other settings.

  Run Programs as Administrator​

  []Try running the installation programs as an administrator to ensure that they have the necessary permissions to make changes to the system, especially on a 64-bit Windows 7 system.

  Compatibility Mode​

  • If the installation programs are older and designed for Windows XP or 32-bit Windows 7, try running them in compatibility mode on the 64-bit Windows 7 system.
  • Right-click on the program executable or installer file, go to Properties, and under the Compatibility tab, select a compatibility mode that matches the OS where the program worked.

  Debug and Logging​

  • Implement debug logging in your programs to see if there are any errors occurring during the context menu integration process.
  • Check for any error messages in event logs that might provide clues about why the context menu items are not appearing.

  Test with a Simple Context Menu Entry​

• As a test, try creating a simple context menu entry using a registry script or a small program to verify if the issue is specific to your programs or if it's a more general problem with context menu integration on the 64-bit system. By following these suggestions, you can hopefully pinpoint the issue causing the context menu integration problem on your 64-bit Windows 7 system and find a resolution. If you need further assistance or encounter any specific errors during these steps, feel free to provide more details for additional support.