xplorer2 context menu

hpp3 · Post by **hpp3** » 2004 Sep 09, 15:31

Is there any way I can add stuff only to the context menu when right-clicking in x2? I would like "mass rename" and "shred" in there, as well as removing a few things I rarely use (which I can't think of at the moment)
-hpp3

fgagnon · Post by **fgagnon** » 2004 Sep 09, 19:20

The short answer is no. ... Certainly not for those x2 functions, and generally not for exclusive use within x2 only (although there may be a registry hacker wiz who can explain otherwise).

If you are willing to take your fingers off the dirty rodent, use the keyboard combo/sequences:
Alt+N, D for shredding
Alt+F, M for mass renaming

As far as removing verbs other apps have put on the context menu, you should consult the information/installation guide for the functions/apps in question. (Most should be straightforward to eliminate from the registry with regedit, but you risk removing choices you may want in other contexts.)

hpp3 · Post by **hpp3** » 2004 Sep 09, 20:21

OK, I was just wondering. For context menus in general I use ContextEdit 1.1 and having quite a blast with it, thanks. One possible work-around is to add menu items to call third-party apps that do essentially the same as those desired functions. I've heard of a few stand-alone mass renamers but how about some command-line callable file shredders?
...And the dirty rodent doesn't bother me at all. What I need is a third hand...
-hpp3

narayan · Post by **narayan** » 2004 Sep 10, 04:56

Actually x2 goes in mass renaming mode automatically if you have selected multiple items: just press the usual shortcut for renaming (F2).

hpp3 · Post by **hpp3** » 2004 Sep 10, 21:59

Wow! I didn't know that. I thought that it would be nice if mass rename were to be somewhere automagically invoked when multiples were selected, and so it is...
I find it easier to invoke shred from the keyboard than go through context menu gymnastics for a command-line calling, although I did find a few interesting candidates,especially for you security freaks...
I love this guy's stuff:AnalogX SuperShredder
For you Free and Open Source-o-philes:Eraser
...and an intriguing potpourri of utilities:12ghosts
(you can download the 12-Shredder as a seperate stand-alone)
-hpp3

narayan · Post by **narayan** » 2004 Sep 13, 08:15

If you don't mind using mouse, then shredding is just a click away: using Toolbar customization, add the "shredder" icon to your toolbar.

To shred you selection, just click on this button.

fgagnon · Post by **fgagnon** » 2004 Sep 13, 11:48

I had forgotten that, although users cannot add bookmarks/favorites shortcut buttons to the toolbar(s) in the Lite version, they CAN add many function buttons, including "shred". Thanks for the reminder, narayan.

narayan · Post by **narayan** » 2004 Sep 13, 12:21

Note that both x2 and 12 Ghosts shred, but with emphasis on different issues: x2 shreds to remove a selection from the hands of unintended users; where as the main use of 12 ghosts seems to be to protect you from mom (or boss).

BTW if you know all those folder addresses, you can use x2 to shred their contents periodically. (Of course, 12 ghost has that whole list ready for you.)

hpp3 · Post by **hpp3** » 2004 Sep 13, 18:13

I too, forgot about adding shred to the toolbar but it just struck me how I hardly ever use the toolbar, and never use the address bar (which I banished a while ago). I just prefer the ability to do what needs to be done from where I'm at (despite the fact that the toolbar is only a wrist twitch away

), and so have made very good friends with the keyboard shortcuts and right-click menu. I am also aware of the difference between x2's shred and the kind of bitwise kung-fu those fancy shredders do, but what is the difference between x2 shred and shift-delete? Just curious

fgagnon · Post by **fgagnon** » 2004 Sep 13, 18:40

Shift+Delete bypasses the recycle bin, but does not overwrite the file location on disk with zeros, as shred does. It just resets a couple of bits in the MFT (or FAT) to release that area of the disk for other use. The file is not really erased unless some other app happens to write to that are of the disk. Until then, the data is easily recoverable with many disk reading tools.

hpp3 · Post by **hpp3** » 2005 May 04, 23:48

Pertaining to my original question- I have found an app that will allow just such functions. PowerPro will insert simulated key presses into a context menu item only when a certain application is focused as well as about 3 billion other things. This baby is just about a swiss army launch app. Right now I have a start menu/shortcut/virtualwindow/controlpanel/taskbar/clock in a nice little bar with icon buttons sitting at the bottom of my screen. Haven't used it for the purpose of inserting context items, but the helpfile says it's so....
"Using the *Format Context captionlist and *Format EndContext built in commands, you can specify that portions of a menu should only appear only if a specified window or program is active."
Spiffy, eh?