# \[Proposal\] Mp3tag entry in folder background context menu
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/proposal-mp3tag-entry-in-folder-background-context-menu/49521
**Category:** General Discussion
**Created:** [July 2, 2020, 5:01am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/proposal-mp3tag-entry-in-folder-background-context-menu/49521 "2020-07-02T05:01:18Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@hank.hulet4654](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/hank.hulet4654)
#### Post date: [July 2, 2020, 5:01am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/proposal-mp3tag-entry-in-folder-background-context-menu/49521/1 "2020-07-02T05:01:18Z")
I install Mp3tag checking the "Explorer Context Menu" option, and I'm a heavy user of this feature for years. (just as a reminder: when right-clicking on a folder, it adds a "Mp3tag" entry in the context menu, that opens Mp3tag, selecting that folder)
But when right-clicking on the empty space inside a folder, there is no such entry in the context menu. It would be very, very helpful to also have a Mp3tag entry in this case.
Currently, and a lot of times, I have to go up one folder (Alt+Up), then right-click on the folder to be able to launch Mp3tag. Then for other stuff, go inside my folder again.
I tried the following, but it didn't work and is even making Explorer to crash:
```
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Mp3tagShell]
@="{6351E20C-35FA-4BE3-98FB-4CABF1363E12}"
```
---
### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2020, 5:19am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/proposal-mp3tag-entry-in-folder-background-context-menu/49521/2 "2020-07-06T05:19:49Z")
> [@hank.hulet4654](#):
>
> Currently, and a lot of times, I have to go up one folder (Alt+Up), then right-click on the folder to be able to launch Mp3tag. Then for other stuff, go inside my folder again.
If you select the files in the current folder with Ctrl-A and then drag&drop them on the MP3tag window, you will also load the files into MP3tag.
---
### Author:  [@hank.hulet4654](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/hank.hulet4654)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2020, 5:33am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/proposal-mp3tag-entry-in-folder-background-context-menu/49521/3 "2020-07-06T05:33:55Z")
Indeed. I could select all files, then do "right-click \> Mp3tag".
Still, just having to right-click on empty space would be faster / more convenient.
---
### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2020, 5:37am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/proposal-mp3tag-entry-in-folder-background-context-menu/49521/4 "2020-07-06T05:37:45Z")
Do you know any program that has an entry in that kind of context menu?
I use a lot of MS and Adobe programs - and none of them have functions in the background context menu, not even a zip program.
---
### Author:  [@hank.hulet4654](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/hank.hulet4654)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2020, 6:07am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/proposal-mp3tag-entry-in-folder-background-context-menu/49521/5 "2020-07-06T06:07:13Z")
[WinMerge](https://winmerge.org/) provides this entry.
But indeed, neither of the following provides this entry: VLC, foobar2000, IrfanView, FastStone Image Viewer, WinRAR, 7-Zip...
It could be interesting to search in WinMerge source code how the feature is implemented.
---
### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [July 6, 2020, 6:48am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/proposal-mp3tag-entry-in-folder-background-context-menu/49521/6 "2020-07-06T06:48:25Z")
Maybe one of the listed
> **context menu edit tools**
>
> Ultimate Windows Customizer,
> ContextEdit
> ShellExtView or ShellMenuView
> Easy Context Menu
> MenuMaid
> File Menu Tools
in [this article](https://www.thewindowsclub.com/remove-click-context-menu-items-editors/) can help you?
---
### Author:  [@hank.hulet4654](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/hank.hulet4654)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2020, 2:39am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/proposal-mp3tag-entry-in-folder-background-context-menu/49521/7 "2020-07-07T02:39:11Z")
At first glance, I'm afraid no one of these tools implement this feature.
If it may help, here is the implementation of [IShellExtInit::Initialize](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/api/shobjidl_core/nf-shobjidl_core-ishellextinit-initialize) in WinMerge: [WinMergeShell.cpp#L213-L300](https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/blob/69ae4aa/ShellExtension/WinMergeShell.cpp#L213-L300)
---
### Author:  [@hank.hulet4654](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/hank.hulet4654)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2020, 3:06am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/proposal-mp3tag-entry-in-folder-background-context-menu/49521/8 "2020-07-07T03:06:51Z")
I have managed to implement the feature with a simple Registry addition 😃
```
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\background\shell\Mp3tag]
"Icon"="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Mp3tag\\Mp3tag.exe"
"Position"="Top"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\background\shell\Mp3tag\command]
@="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Mp3tag\\Mp3tag.exe \"%V\""
```
(The "position top" (or bottom, your pick) line is optional, I use it so that the Mp3tag entry isn't next to the "Undo ..." entry, to prevent accidental clicks on it...)
Refs: [Creating Shortcut Menu Handlers](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/shell/context-menu-handlers)
---
### Author:  [@Zerow](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Zerow)
#### Post date: [October 15, 2020, 9:45pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/proposal-mp3tag-entry-in-folder-background-context-menu/49521/9 "2020-10-15T21:45:47Z")
> [@hank.hulet4654](#):
>
> [...]
> But when right-clicking on the empty space inside a folder, there is no such entry in the context menu. It would be very, very helpful to also have a Mp3tag entry in this case.
> [...]
Apparently I can load any folder to Mp3tag by clicking and empty space in it - when I am in FreeCommander that is. Although I first have to go through intermediate
> Context menu...
entry in FC's right click menu, so that the Windows right click menu will appear. But when that second / main shell menu appears it already has Mp3tag entry in it [without hacking the Registry] and thus I can execute a load-up of the folder in which I am ding that clicking on an empty space
> [@hank.hulet4654](#):
>
> I have managed to implement the feature with a simple Registry addition
> [...]
Kudos, as it works
But
> [@hank.hulet4654](#):
>
> (The "position top" (or bottom, your pick) line is optional
> [...]
seem to be the only two options as stated at [Creating Shortcut Menu Handlers - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/shell/context-menu-handlers#positioning-verbs-at-the-top-or-bottom-of-the-menu)