Utilities Windows
ShellExView for Windows
Inspect installed Windows shell extensions and disable or re-enable individual handlers with ShellExView, a freeware tool for investigating Explorer context-menu problems.
- Operating system
- Windows 98 through Windows 10, as listed by the publisher
- Architecture
- x64 (selected download)
- Download package
- ZIP archive; standalone executable
Publisher offers separate standard ZIP and self-installing packages. Windows 11 support is not confirmed by the published requirements.
Link checked · Download guidance
What is ShellExView?
ShellExView lists the shell extensions installed on a Windows PC, including context-menu handlers, icon handlers and shell folders. Its table shows each extension's disabled state, type, description, version, company and filename, helping you identify which application added a particular Explorer component. You can disable a selected extension and enable it again when investigating a context-menu problem.
Filter by extension type or hide Microsoft extensions to narrow the list. The utility also exports extension details to formats including CSV, HTML and XML, and offers a Restart Explorer command when a change does not take effect immediately. The linked download is the publisher's x64 ZIP containing a standalone utility; no installation process is required for that package.
Changing shell extensions is not a guaranteed repair. The publisher warns that disabling system extensions can leave Windows unable to boot correctly. Its documented system requirements cover Windows 98 through Windows 10, with x64 support; Windows 11 compatibility is not established by that requirements statement.
What it offers
- View shell-extension details, including type, disabled state, company, version and DLL filename.
- Disable and re-enable selected extensions to investigate Explorer context-menu problems.
- Filter extensions by type or hide Microsoft extensions to focus the list.
- Export extension lists as CSV, HTML, XML or text files.
- Restart Windows Explorer from the utility when extension changes do not appear immediately.
Good to know
- Disabling system extensions can prevent Windows from booting correctly; the publisher warns against indiscriminate disabling.
- The publisher documents support through Windows 10; its requirements statement does not confirm Windows 11 compatibility.
- The publisher documents an administrator requirement under Windows Vista and Windows 7.
Product images
Sources
References used for this listing. Retrieval dates do not indicate hands-on testing.
- ShellExView - Shell Extension Manager For Windows ↗Retrieved
- ShellExView - Download ↗Retrieved
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