Toggle checkbox or normal selection from right click context menu

Previously, we wrote the trick on how to enable the check boxes to select multiple files and folders in Windows 7. This time, we will show you the way to get an option in right click context menu in Windows 7 so that you can toggle between the usual normal multiple selection holding the CTRL key and just clicking the right click menu option to switch between these two options.

Here are two screenshots.

First multiple file selection by using the CTRL key:

 

 

Secondly multiple file selection by using the checkboxes:

 

 

And here is the option to toogle in right click context menu:

 

Now, how to get it.

Two parts : part one is a vbs script and part two is a Registry key.

 

The vbs script to make the checkbox toggle function:

 

Nothing, but to call default Windows action do activate it in the folder where it is. Open Notepad and write the code:

 

FileExt = “HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\AutoCheckSelect”
Set Sh = WScript.CreateObject(“WScript.Shell”)
St = Sh.RegRead(FileExt)
If St = 1 Then
Sh.RegWrite FileExt, 0, “REG_DWORD”
Else
Sh.RegWrite FileExt, 1, “REG_DWORD”
End If
Sh.SendKeys(“{F5}”)

 

We have told many times, again repeating it: save the file as checkbox.vbs and do not forget to change the file type from text to All files from drop down menu in Notepad before saving it.

checkbox.vbs is just a name; we could have name it John_is_a_fool.vbs ; but in that case we have to the rename in next step, otherwise you will be proved to be a fool, not John.

 

Place it in C partition, again you can place it anywhere, but have to mention in Registry file.

 

The Registry file:

 

This will add the functionality to get working from right click context menu.

 

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\Toggle checkbox]
“HasLUAShield”=””

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\Toggle checkbox\command]
@=”cmd.exe /c start C:\\checkbox.vbs”

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\LibraryFolder\Background\shell\Toggle checkbox]
“HasLUAShield”=””

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\LibraryFolder\Background\shell\Toggle checkbox\command]
@=”cmd.exe /c start C:\\checkbox.vbs“

 

Explanation:

 

No one gives explanation in any Windows forum blog etc after writing tricks or tutorials. Do not ask us why, it is implied.

 

The green texts depend on your wish. As we said ago; we could have name it John_is_a_fool.vbs; then it will be that.

The red text is what you want to see in right click context menu. We could have name it coconut.reg

The pink text is the location of the vbs file; you can change it as well. Frankly, we have not tested in other complicated  ways, we have used conventional location.

The fist set (first four lines) starts the file for the shell and the next set for Library. We have circumvented the restriction of Windows UAC by starting it through elevated command prompt.

 

Save the file as checkbox.reg and do not forget to change the file type from text to All files from drop down menu in Notepad before saving it. Name does not matter here at all. You can save as Rose.reg and it will work.

 

Now, double click the reg file and accept the security warnings and you will see the option in right click context menu when clicked on a folder or any empty place inside folder or Windows 7 desktop.

 

Removal:

 

Add a minus sign before the H starts after the third bracket; like [-HKEY_CLASSES…. to all where there is HKEY and save it (with some good name) as reg file and run it. It will break the association; so the option will disappear from right click context menu.

Obviously, you might delete the vbs file manually too.

 

Downloads:

 

As usually all the required files are here for your download.

The rar file is password protected, type thecustomizewindows.com as the password.