Lost "Rich Text Document" on the Menu when right clicking.

[Happy Gil]

Something went wrong after Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Version:1607) was downloaded. When right clicking so I can
create a "New" document, preferably "Rich Text Document", the only one that shows up on the list is "Text Document", it
would be nice if someone can explain how I can get it back on the list (the "Menu" list).

 

[Regedit32]

Hi Happy Gill,

The context menu is controlled by ShellNew entries under the HKEY_Classes_Root in your Registry.

If you'd like to add the option to select New > Rich Text Document to you context menu then follow the following instructions to achieve this option:

• Right-click on Start
• Left-click on Command Prompt (Admin)
• When the User Account Control opens click Yes
• In the Administrator: Command Prompt window now open type or copy & paste the following command:
  
  

  reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rtf\Word.RTF.8\ShellNew" /v Filename /t reg_sz /d Document.rtf

  
  Press Enter key to execute
  
  You'll see a confirmation that action was successful.
  
  Type Exit then press Enter key to close the Administrator: Command Prompt window.

Now right-click on Desktop and select New - you may not see the Rich text option yet. If you don't Right-click on Desktop a second time and select New again and this time you'll see it.

If you prefer not to do all that typing I've attached a REG file you can simply download, right-click on and choose Merge to do the above automatically. After downloading, always do a quick virus scan of the downloaded file first.

Regards,

Regedit32

 

[Happy Gil]

Did everything you instructed me to do. Still dont see it on the sub-menu list after right clicking on the Desktop. I also tried to apply it inside of "File Explorer", no luck. I really appreciate your help.

 

[Regedit32]

The System needs to update itself when you make a change to the registry.

You could try refreshing desktop, or simply restart computer for changes to take affect.

Before doing that though you could check your change took affect by:

• Right-clicking on Start
• Left-clicking on Command Prompt (Admin)
• When the User Account Control opens click Yes
• In the Administrator: Command Prompt now open type or copy & paste the following:
  
  

  reg query "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rtf\Word.RTF.8\ShellNew"

  
  Press Enter key to execute
  
  You ought to see the following:
  
  
  
  
  
  Can you confirm you see this result?
  
  If the edit did take place and restarting computer still has no affect, then we can try a trick you used to do in Windows 7 days that may work in Windows 10 - although I've not had to do that myself as the edit I gave you worked fine on its own.

I'll wait till you respond to above first though.

Regedit32

 

[zhb1999]

how to make it from rtf to its original word ???

 

[dario33]

If the edit did take place and restarting computer still has no affect, then we can try a trick you used to do in Windows 7 days that may work in Windows 10 - although I've not had to do that myself as the edit I gave you worked fine on its own.

Good morning Regedit32,
I am experiencing a similar issue : added reg; query says it is fine but it did not work even after restarting the PC.

Could you please post the Window 7 trick? Maybe it does not work in Windows 10 but.... that would be handy if it works with Windows 8.1.

Thank you.

 

[Bighorn]

I got a few more choices on the right-click context menu of the desktop, put there during install of, and association with, the free LibreOffice, RTF is one of those.

 

[dario33]

Thank you Bighorn but I do not need and cannot install LibreOffice. That is the reason I asked Regedit32 about that special Windows 7 tweak.

 

[Bighorn]

Just pointing out the possibility the association of a file format/type to an installed program may be a 'fix'.

EDIT: that comment was from one of my Notebooks, this image from my main computer supports my thought about the file association:

.
This shows choices when right-clicking an RTF file:

 

[Regedit32]

Could you please post the Window 7 trick?

Hi dario33,

The Windows 7 basically controlled file types in a similar manner, but pointed to a NullFile String value.

Windows 10 specifically points to Wordpad.exe for handling RTF files, and by doing do adds the Rich Text Format to your Context > New menu.

I'm not sure why it is yours has decided to disappear on you, but I can confirm that either the Windows 7 method, or restoring the Windows 10 method will result in you seeing Rich Text Format on your Context > New menu.

Before I post further, can you post a couple reg queries of your .RFT hive:

1. reg query HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rtf

   
   Sample image
   
   
   
   
   
2. If the first reg query displays HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rtf\ShellNew as its last entry, can you also post your reg query result for this:
   
   

   reg query HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rtf\ShellNew

Regards,

Regedit32

 

[davehc]

Not optimistic, but try this:
rtf is the default for Wordpad.
First, look in the settings - Apps - default Apps. - Set defaults by App.
Scroll down the huge list and find the rtf.
Click Wordpad and "Manage"
In the list that opens, make sure that Wordpad is selected s the option.

Reboot, or log out and in. See if the item is now in the context menu.