Customizing Windows Explorer Toolbar

  • Thread starter Thread starter krzysiek kubeczka
  • Start date Start date
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krzysiek kubeczka

Hello all,

I would like to add few buttons to Windows Explorer Toolbar (Windows
XP Home SP3) that would run/call some external programs - i.e.
Notepad, Outlook or my own software.

Is it possible to do such a thing using Registry or it must be done
with programming? If so, any ideas and clues how?

Thanks in advance,

Chris
 
Hi Chris,

This can't be done via the registry, but I *think* this can be done by
writing a program. If you're a coder, you may post this question in the
"microsoft.public.platformsdk.shell" newsgroup for more information.
 
Mr Gilliver,
The OP means the "Toolbar" at the top of the Windows Explorer
interface. i.e.; In Windows Explorer - the toolbar at the top which you can
right-click and select 'Customize' to add a variety of pre-defined buttons that are
available in both 'Windows' and 'Internet' Explorer.

The selection of buttons to choose from cannot be changed.

Even IF the OP were a programmer (as "Ramesh Srinivasan, MS-MVP" suggests in his
reply) he would have to circumvent WFP (Windows File Protection).

He would have to "swap" the file 'explorer.exe' for a modified copy, but then WFP
would instantly change it back again to the original as it would with all it's
protected operating system files.

He could disable WFP - but that is very unadvisable...

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-)




J. P. Gilliver (John) said:
[]Outlook, as I use it at my place of employment, has an icon in the QuickLaunch area
(the bit by the Start button) anyway; would this do you?

If yours hasn't, it might be an option at install time.

(Don't know about Notepad though.)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

I didn't get the documentation for the manuals.
Click to expand...
 
Just want to add to my last post - Entire extra "custom" Toolbars CAN be added to
Windows Explorer - as in the case of the "Google Toolbar".

But these custom Toolbars are written programs and use the Windows' API - they do
not, nor can you, use the registry to add extra buttons...

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-)
 
You can get control of the Explorer toolbar if you build a namespace
extension. You can then implement IShellBrowser in a "Dynamic Link
Library file" (DLL) or use "Browser Helper Objects" (BHO).

Namespace Extensions
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc144095(VS.85).aspx#unknown_73276


ju.c


Tim Meddick said:
Mr Gilliver,
The OP means the "Toolbar" at the top of the Windows Explorer
interface. i.e.; In Windows Explorer - the toolbar at the top which you can
right-click and select 'Customize' to add a variety of pre-defined buttons that are
available in both 'Windows' and 'Internet' Explorer.

The selection of buttons to choose from cannot be changed.

Even IF the OP were a programmer (as "Ramesh Srinivasan, MS-MVP" suggests in his
reply) he would have to circumvent WFP (Windows File Protection).

He would have to "swap" the file 'explorer.exe' for a modified copy, but then WFP
would instantly change it back again to the original as it would with all it's
protected operating system files.

He could disable WFP - but that is very unadvisable...

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-)




J. P. Gilliver (John) said:
[]
Hello all,

I would like to add few buttons to Windows Explorer Toolbar (Windows
XP Home SP3) that would run/call some external programs - i.e.
Notepad, Outlook or my own software.

Is it possible to do such a thing using Registry or it must be done
with programming? If so, any ideas and clues how?

Thanks in advance,

Chris
Click to expand...
Outlook, as I use it at my place of employment, has an icon in the QuickLaunch area
(the bit by the Start button) anyway; would this do you?

If yours hasn't, it might be an option at install time.

(Don't know about Notepad though.)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

I didn't get the documentation for the manuals.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Mr Gilliver,
No, I really don't think you cal "tell" WFP to recognise a "new"
file version - but then again - there must be way as when you install, say, a newer
version of WMPlayer - half of it's files reside in the system32 directory, and the
executable itself - wmplayer.exe - is also protected, but get round WFP.

I have done it myself by creating a batch file that replaced, simultaneously, the
protected file and all the backup copies as well. That worked!

The norm in this group (differs from what is quoted as being the "right way") is to
top-post but I am continuously being told that is wrong...but, quite frankly, I don't
care - whatever feels comfortable to you, I say...

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-)
 
Subsequently, I have found a way of customizing (adding) the buttons on the Internet
Explorer toolbar but, unfortunately, not the Window's Explorer toolbar.


To add a button of your choosing to the Internet Explorer toolbar do the following :

....open the Group Policy Editor (on the "Administrative Tools" menu or type :
grupedit.msc into the "Run" box).

Then, navigate to the item :

User Configuration\
Windows Settings\
Internet Explorer Maintenance\
Browser User Interface\

Browser Toolbar Customizations

Double-click on "Browser Toolbar Customizations" and then on the "Add" button.

Then start filling in the four boxes: fill in a title for the new button, select your
..exe (program) or script to execute and then choose an icon for the button. You will
also have to choose a "greyscale" icon for the button.

Icons can be edited with most picture editing software and saved as a bitmap. A
..bmp file should be okay for this option.

Click [ok] and [ok] to exit and then close the Group Policy Editor.

The new button will now be available on right-clicking the IE toolbar and choosing
"Customize" and manually adding the new button that has now appeared in the
"Available buttons" pane...

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-)
 
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