We all know the new menu, you see it there when you right click on the desktop or in a folder. There are “new” file types in the menu that we don’t use. In this tip I will get rid of the Briefcase option in XP and the Bitmap option in Vista. I will also show you how you can add new filetypes to this menu.

To Add an Item in "New" menu:

When you right-click on your desktop, there is a New submenu that contains a list of templates. A template is visible if the related entry in the [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT] hive associated with a file extension has a sub-key called ShellNew.

  1. Open regedit and expand "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT" key.

  2. Now look for the file type which you want to add in "New" menu, e.g. for adding MP3 file type look for .MP3 key.

  3. Right-click on it and select "New -> Key" and give it name "ShellNew".

  4. In right-side pane, right-click and select "New -> String Value". Give it name "NullFile" and press Enter.

  5. Thats it. You'll immediately get the file type entry in "New" menu.



To Remove an Item from "New" menu:
  • Open regedit and expand "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT" key.

  • Now look for the file type which you want to remove from "New" menu, e.g. for removing MP3 file type look for .MP3 key.

  • Expand it and delete the "ShellNew" key.

  • Thats it. The file type will be removed from "New" menu.



Note:

Before you make changes to the registry, you should backup the ShellNew key under the file extension you will be changing. (See step 6 below)

  • To Backup Registry Key -

    A) Right click ShellNew and click Export.
    B) Save the exported REG file to where you want it.
    NOTE: This is the back file.

  • To Restore Registry Key -

    A) Right click on the exported REG file and click Merge.
    B) Confirm the action to restore the registry key back to the same as the REG file.