ShellEx.info
Updated for Windows 11 24H2

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Shell Extensions

Debug, develop, and optimize shellex.dll and other context menu handlers. The comprehensive resource for power users and developers.

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Remove shellex.dll Safely

The ultimate guide to troubleshooting and removing problematic shell extensions preventing your system from fast boot.

Review

Best Shell Managers 2026

We compared ShellExView, Autoruns, and Process Hacker. See which tool is best for your needs.

Technical

Developer Documentation

Learn how to write high-performance Shell Extensions in C++ and debug them with x64dbg.

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Latest Articles

Expert guides, security advisories, and developer tutorials for Windows Shell Extensions.

Developer

Migrating Shell Extensions from Windows 10 to Windows 11: Complete Developer Guide (2026)

The definitive guide to porting legacy IContextMenu shell extensions to Windows 11's IExplorerCommand API. Covers the new context menu architecture, MSIX packaging, backward compatibility, and Win32 App Isolation.

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Tool

Best Free Shell Extension Managers for Windows (2026 Review)

Comparison of ShellExView, ShellMenuView, Autoruns, and other tools to manage your Windows right-click menu.

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Guide

How to Safely Remove or Disable shellex.dll Issues (2026 Guide)

Fix slow right-click menus, explorer.exe crashes, and high CPU usage caused by faulty shell extensions. Complete guide for Windows 11 and 10.

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Developer

Add Your Own “Open with VS Code” to Folder Menus

Comprehensive guide on Add Your Own “Open with VS Code” to Folder Menus. Learn how to fix, manage, and optimize your Windows Shell Extensions.

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Guide

Windows 11 New Context Menu vs Legacy Shell Extensions — Compatibility Guide

Everything you need to know about Windows 11's new context menu vs the classic right-click menu, how legacy shell extensions work, and how to manage both systems.

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Guide

Windows 11 'Show More Options' Slow Right-Click Menu — Complete Fix Guide (2026)

Fix the painfully slow Windows 11 right-click context menu caused by legacy shell extensions. Restore the classic menu, optimize performance, and diagnose the root cause.

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Developer

How to Build a Simple Shell Extension in C# / .NET 8+

Comprehensive guide on How to Build a Simple Shell Extension in C# / .NET 8+. Learn how to fix, manage, and optimize your Windows Shell Extensions.

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Guide

Windows 11 24H2 Breaks Shell Extensions – Known Issues and Fixes

Complete list of shell extension compatibility issues in Windows 11 24H2 update, with workarounds and fixes for each known problem.

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Guide

How to Find Which Shell Extension Is Crashing Explorer.exe

A systematic guide to identifying the exact shell extension DLL that causes explorer.exe crashes, freezes, and restarts on Windows 11 and 10.

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Security

Scanning Shell Extensions with Antivirus – Malwarebytes vs Defender

Comprehensive guide on Scanning Shell Extensions with Antivirus – Malwarebytes vs Defender. Learn how to fix, manage, and optimize your Windows Shell Extensions.

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