A Context Menu Handler for Windows Users That Can't Let Go

• Download utility - 21.1 Kb
• Download source - 31.3 Kb

Introduction

I wrote CMDCMX back in 1996. I have found similar implementations but nothing quite as useful as my own. Everyone I share it with seems to love it, so I figured I would update it and post it.

As a code example: CMDCMX demonstrates using afxCurrentResourceHandle and afxCurrentInstanceHandle globals which is sometimes required when using MFC from within Windows shell extensions. There are some other cool things in there, but nothing earth shattering.

As a utility: CMDCMX allows you to open a command window with the current working directory set to the folder you right-clicked on in Explorer. CMDCMX also allows you to copy both the long and short versions of a file, or folder path to the clipboard from within Explorer. Lastly, CMDCMX allows you to easily launch executable files with command line arguments from within Explorer.

Using the Utility

The pre-built utility requires two MS redistributables: mfc71u.dll and msvcr71.dll. If the MS files do not already exist on your system (they are installed by VC 7.1), then they should be copied to the same directory as the CMDCMX files. You can download the MS files here:

• MFC71u.dll
• msvcr71.dll

Using the Code

The project is all self-contained. After extracting the source, open the cmdcmx.vcproj file with VC 7.1. Select either the Release or the Debug target. Build the project.

Look for afxCurrentResourceHandle and afxCurrentInstanceHandle in cmdcmx.cpp to see an example of how they are used.

Points of Interest

The project also includes a sub-project to build a configuration utility for CMDCMX. Called cmdcmxcfg.exe, the application allows selection of menu items to add. In addition, the application allows selection of the command interpreter to be used.

History

• Version 1.00, posted October 1, 2003