FAQ
Does ShellToys have a Help file?
Compatibility
Which versions of Windows can ShellToys be used with?
Does ShellToys support 64-bit versions of Windows?
Are there any known problems using ShellToys on the earlier Windows versions?
Are there any problems using ShellToys with file-manager utilities other than Windows Explorer?
Does ShellToys replace any system files during installation?
Does ShellToys install files to the Windows or System folders?
Install/Uninstall
How do I install ShellToys?
How do I uninstall ShellToys?
Should I uninstall the current version before upgrading?
Does ShellToys have a Help file?
Yes, a help file is included. Every shell extension and tool has its own page or section in the help file, and every option is explained. Help is also context sensitive – press F1 in any ShellToys window or dialog to go straight to the appropriate page or section.
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Which versions of Windows can ShellToys be used with?
You can use ShellToys with 64-bit and 32-bit versions of Windows from Windows 98 onwards, except Windows NT. That means it can be used with Windows 98, 98 Second Edition, Millennium Edition, 2000, and all 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows XP, Server 2003, Server 2008 and Vista.
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Does ShellToys support 64-bit versions of Windows?
Yes, an x64-compatible edition of ShellToys is available from our Download page.
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Are there any known problems using ShellToys on earlier Windows versions?
The following issue should be noted in Windows 98, 98 SE, and ME:
- We recommend limiting the number of items shown on the Zip/Jar/Cab Contents and Folder Contents menus to a maximum of 500, due to the poor memory-handling in these operating systems. (It's also not practical to display hundreds of items on a single menu!)
- If the Microsoft Office 97 or 2000 Shortcut Bar is used, it will crash when one of its buttons is clicked.
- The ShellToys menu doesn't appear when right-clicking an Internet Shortcut (.url) file on the Favorites menu, unless Internet Explorer 6 or higher is installed.
- The Up One Level item and folder items on the Go To Folder menu do not function when used in Open/Save dialogs.
Are there any problems using ShellToys with file-manager utilities other than Windows Explorer?
Many applications and file-handling utilities display standard Windows context menus for files (like the Mask By Type tool in ShellToys), and we can't test all of these. We can say that in most cases ShellToys should not cause any problems. However, the Go To Folder, Select By Type and New From Template tools are unlikely to work as they rely on Windows interfaces that are unlikely to be implemented in the program you're using. We include several options you can use if you do find problems in non-Microsoft applications: the Compatibility page of the Settings window lets you hide ShellToys from programs that cause problems, and you can correct other problems using the checkboxes on the Menu & Tool Options page.
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Does ShellToys replace any system files during installation?
No, absolutely not. ShellToys tools are extensions to the Windows shell and they work without replacing any part of it.
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Does ShellToys install files to the Windows or System folders?
No. ShellToys installs to a single folder (by default, a folder named 'CFi\ShellToys' in your Program Files folder), and no files are installed to any other folder.
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How do I install ShellToys?
Whether you've downloaded the full version or an upgrade version containing only the files updated since the last release, just double-click the downloaded file and follow the instructions. Installation is fast and very simple. If you're upgrading from a previous installation, always install the new version to the same folder as the old one (don't uninstall the old one first). Upgrading usually requires that your computer is restarted so that the new files can be properly installed. If you have never installed ShellToys, you can usually begin using it as soon as installation completes, without restarting.
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How do I uninstall ShellToys?
Always use the Add/Remove Programs option in the Windows Control Panel. Select CFi ShellToys in the list of installed programs, and click the Change/Remove (or Add/Remove) button. You will usually need to restart your computer so that files can be completely removed. After restarting you will find that some files still exist, such as your template files (from the New From Template tool) and a file named folders.ini containing the items on your Go To Folder list. (Uninstall programs never remove files that they didn't install.) You can delete these files manually.
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Should I uninstall the current version before upgrading?
Uninstalling ShellToys causes your settings and preferences to be removed, so we recommend that you don't. Just install the new version to the same folder as the old one so that existing files are replaced. This is particularly important if you're installing an upgrade release of ShellToys: if you uninstall first, the new installation will not work properly.
After upgrading, you will usually be prompted to restart your system. This is because key ShellToys components are in use and 'locked' by Windows, and can only be 'unlocked' and replaced when Windows shuts down.
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