Shell items on current folder context menu within XYplorer?

[tgrand]

Hi everyone. I'm evaluating XYplorer and have the following problem/question:

When I right-click on a file or folder, I get the shell items included in the context menu. Great. But when I right-click on empty space within the currently displayed folder, I only get XYplorer's menu items. How can I get the shell items as well?

Currently as a workaround I have to go up one folder, right-click on the folder, do what I need to do, then go back into the folder. This really breaks up my workflow and wastes time. I'm accustomed to right-clicking within the current folder to get to three very often used things: 1) TortoiseSVN commands (hugely important), 2) Properties, 3) New. (XYplorer's context menu does have a "New" but it's not really equivalent to what the shell provides.)

By the way, long ago I swore I'd never use a file manager app in Windows, but being forced to use Vista at work finally pushed me over the edge. I love XYplorer so far and am thinking I'll probably end up using it even at home on XP, but this issue is a serious one for me.

[j_c_hallgren]

Hi and welcome to the XY forums!

It's been too long since I had to deal with context menu as new user, but I'd suggest you look at the wiki at "http://88.191.26.34/XYwiki/index.php/Co ... -_Advanced" for the "Shell Context Menu" items and see if that helps.

Sorry I can't give an exact answer, but those two options have affected others, so just passing it on.

[tgrand]

Thanks for the help. Unfortunately, neither of these options have any effect on the context menu shown when you right-click on empty space within the currently displayed folder. Instead, they affect the menus shown when you right-click on a file or folder. It may sound like a fine distinction but these menus are actually worlds apart.

[j_c_hallgren]

Sorry that didn't help! However, regarding

3) New. (XYplorer's context menu does have a "New" but it's not really equivalent to what the shell provides.)

What options are you used to? Since the XY New/New Items menu gives a lot more options than std Win Expl context....see "http://88.191.26.34/XYwiki/index.php/New_Items"

[tgrand]

What options are you used to? Since the XY New/New Items menu gives a lot more options than std Win Expl context....see "http://88.191.26.34/XYwiki/index.php/New_Items"

You're right, I missed this - thanks. Looks like with some configuration, I can get options like "New Word document" and "New ZIP file" - I use these, but not very often.

So, that leaves only the 1) TortoiseSVN commands and 2) Properties.

[ivan]

Here is a side by side comparison of "New" dialogues when right-clicking on an empty area.

XYplorer

xy_new.png (6.93 KiB) Viewed 3039 times

Windows Explorer

std_new.png (16.63 KiB) Viewed 3039 times

As you can see, WE's one offers richer options in terms of creating something new.

[j_c_hallgren]

As you can see, WE's one offers richer options in terms of creating something new.

And did you ever look at XY New Items option? That allows these options and more! However, a shortcut is explicitly handled by the "New shortcut" menu opt instead of being within New.

[ivan]

And did you ever look at XY New Items option? That allows these options and more!

I can't look at New Items option, because it's greyed out for me (see attached screenshot) when right-clicking and when going through Edit menu.

[serendipity]

Wow!! another under-rated feature gone unnoticed. I dont blame you Ivan. See how "New items" works.

Update: Simple explanation of how it works:

1) Go to new items folder which is a subfolder under XY (ctrl+shift+alt+g).
2) Place anything inside this folder and you will see it in the context menu "New Items".
So you see, there is not limit to what you want from context menu.

[ivan]

Wow!! another under-rated feature gone unnoticed. I dont blame you Ivan. See how "New items" works.

Update: Simple explanation of how it works:

1) Go to new items folder which is a subfolder under XY (ctrl+shift+alt+g).
2) Place anything inside this folder and you will see it in the context menu "New Items".
So you see, there is not limit to what you want from context menu.

Thank you, I figured out how it works. However, there is a little aesthetical imperfection.
1. Say I put an empty zip file called New Zip File.zip in NewItems folder.
2. It appears in New Items menu but it gets shown as New Zip File.zip
3. Ideally, it shouldn't show the extension in such situation and it doesn't get displayed in respective WE "New" menu, just the description is there.

[serendipity]

Thank you, I figured out how it works. However, there is a little aesthetical imperfection.
1. Say I put an empty zip file called New Zip File.zip in NewItems folder.
2. It appears in New Items menu but it gets shown as New Zip File.zip
3. Ideally, it shouldn't show the extension in such situation and it doesn't get displayed in respective WE "New" menu, just the description is there.

Nothing wrong there because nowhere in XY can you hide the extension, therefore its only right that extension is displayed. But if you really hate that anyway, then why not create new items in User|manage commands|New?

[jacky]

When I right-click on a file or folder, I get the shell items included in the context menu. Great. But when I right-click on empty space within the currently displayed folder, I only get XYplorer's menu items. How can I get the shell items as well?

Currently as a workaround I have to go up one folder, right-click on the folder, do what I need to do, then go back into the folder. This really breaks up my workflow and wastes time.

To answer you, you can't have the shell ctxt menu to show up on a right-click on empty space. And for the record I think that's actually a great feature of XY, because where that menu can be slow (due to shell extension, etc), XY's own menu show up instantly. And since the selection are not affected/lost when doing so, unlike elsewhere, you can e.g. copy/paste way faster that way.

Anyways, it is planned to have "actions on events" (not sure what the official term is/will be) later on, and maybe you'll then get a way to have the shell ctxt menu to be showed on right-click on List. In the mean time, with a little luck you do not have to go up each time, you should get the same options you need from a right-click on the folder on Tree.

[ivan]

Nothing wrong there because nowhere in XY can you hide the extension, therefore its only right that extension is displayed.

All I'm implying is that since you can specify the name of the command to create a new file then it's redundant for extension to be displayed since you'd know it anyway. For example, if you'd have "New ZIP file" then chances are it will be .zip and if it's "New RAR file" then I'd bet $10 that the extension would be RAR. I'm alright with showing in the list, but in the New Items it's seems a bit unnecessary.

[tgrand]

To answer you, you can't have the shell ctxt menu to show up on a right-click on empty space. And for the record I think that's actually a great feature of XY, because where that menu can be slow (due to shell extension, etc), XY's own menu show up instantly.

Ok. I agree that that's a nice feature for some users, but not for me. I rely HEAVILY on the commands that TortoiseSVN puts into this menu.

Anyways, it is planned to have "actions on events" (not sure what the official term is/will be) later on, and maybe you'll then get a way to have the shell ctxt menu to be showed on right-click on List. In the mean time, with a little luck you do not have to go up each time, you should get the same options you need from a right-click on the folder on Tree.

I'm not sure about this "actions on events", but thanks for the idea about the tree workaround - it seem so obvious now. That does work. Unfortunately, I've always hated the tree with a passion. To me, it's visual clutter, waste of real estate, needs too much fiddling with, and is entirely unnecessary. I always get rid of it as soon as I see it, whether it's Explorer or XYplorer. Thankfully they're both good at remembering this, although Vista has taken a step back in this respect.

I hope the author of XYplorer will consider adding shell items to the currently displayed folder context menu. And also, the Properties command. I wonder if I should go post this in the Wishes forum now...

[jacky]

I'm not sure about this "actions on events"

Just to be clear: What I meant is that you could maybe then assign the shell ctxt menu to the right-click on List, which would then have it behave as Explorer does if I got it right, which seems to be what you wanted.
As for the Tree, to each his own, I know I rely on it a lot, especially with XY's highlighting features which I'm addicted to now

Quick last thing: I believe the Properties command is also find as File|Properties, so you can trigger it from the File menu or assign a KS/Catalog item to it.