tweak

Create Native Copy/Move Operation Context Menus in Windows

The concept of right-clicking on a file/folder or a bunch of them and copying or moving them to another location is nothing new. We do it constantly and often without realizing it. However the concept of Copy to X or Move to X where x is any location you choose without having to open the source folder and destination folders and select and then drag and drop the items has resulted in countless programmatic solutions being cooked up.

In fact when Windows 95 was released, there was a suite of utilities referred to as Microsoft PowerToys which included Send To X, a shell extensions which added several commonly accessed locations such as clipboard, desktop, command-line or any folder to the Send To context menu in Explorer. These powertoys have long gone into unsupported and no longer developed phase, although if you get them, they should technically still work.

However, as a minimalist, I have always striven towards the simplest and cleanest solution, preferably native so that its efficient, fast, clean and most stable. As such, I am going to share with you a simple registry tweak that will accomplish just that without any fuss and is instantly available without installing any additional software.

For Advanced Users
  1. Run RegEdit
  2. Go to :
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
  3. Create a Key : Move To …
  4. Double Click (Default) and enter :
    {C2FBB631-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}
  5. Create a Key : Copy To …
  6. Double Click (Default) and enter :
    {C2FBB630-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}
  7. That’s it, you are done. Enjoy!
For Everyone
  1. Open Notepad
  2. Copy and Paste the code below
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Move To ...]
@="{C2FBB631-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Copy To ...]
@="{C2FBB630-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}"
  1. Save as <somename>.reg
  2. Double Click the file you just created
  3. Accept to merge it into the registry
  4. That’s it, you are done. Enjoy!
All that being said, you can simply download this file and run it as well.

Prevent Automatic Restart After Windows Automatic Updates

Many have complained that when their system is unattended and they come back, it has restarted due to Windows Automatic Updates. This has often resulted in the loss of work in progress and creates annoyance at the very least.

Unfortunately, there is no easy mechanism in Windows to do this but as long as you have some technical savvy or can follow directions really well, you can achieve this in no uncertain terms.
NOTE: The following instructions are only for the “premium” version of Windows (such as Professional and above). There is no mechanism available for the “low end” versions of Windows (such as Home and even Home Premium). The advanced instructions below are for Windows Vista and higher (including Windows 7 and above) but for a way to accomplish this on Windows XP and 2000, you can use the easy instructions which work in ALL versions – which is provided at the end of this guide.

ADVANCE INSTRUCTIONS (using Policies)
  1. Click on Start button -> Click on Run -> Type gpedit.msc
    Run
  2. Select Local Computer Policy ->
    Select Computer Configuration ->
    Select Administrative Templates ->
    Select Windows Components ->
    Select Windows Update
    Local Computer Policy - Computer Components - Administrative Templates - Windows Components - Windows Update
  3. Double-Click No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automatic updates installations on the right hand side -> Select option Enabled -> Click OK button
    No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automatic updates installations
  4. You are done. Your computer will never auto restart after an automatic update without your intervention or express acknowledgement.
EASY INSTRUCTIONS (using Registry)
  1. Cut and paste the following: 
    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00&nbsp;

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
"NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers"=dword:00000001
  2. Save the file as disable_restart.reg (for ease of location, place on DESKTOP)
  3. Double-Click the above file
  4. Grant permission to merge into the registry
  5. You are now done (you can also download this file and run it)
For advanced users who wish to do this manually:
  1. Click on Start
  2. Type regedit and hit ENTER
  3. Grant permission
  4. Goto
     KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU 
    on the left tree panel
  5. Locate NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers on the right item panel
    1. If the item already EXISTS
      – Double-Click it
      – Type 1 and press ENTER
      – Close RegEdit and you are done
    2. If the item does NOT EXIST
      – Right-Click in the right panel
      – Select New and choose DWORD
      – Type NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers over New Value #1 and press ENTER
      – Double-Click this new item
      – Type 1 and press ENTER
      – Close RegEdit and your are done