Remove ATI Catalyst from Right-Click Menu - Easy Guide
Removing the Catalyst(TM) Control Center from the Desktop Context Menu
Many users have inquired about removing the "Catalyst(TM) Control Center" entry from the desktop's right-click menu. Following a previous article detailing the removal of the NVIDIA Control Panel, several readers requested guidance on eliminating the ATI equivalent.
Two methods can be employed to achieve this. One involves a quick modification within the Windows Registry. Alternatively, a specialized utility can be utilized to completely disable the associated shell extension.
It’s important to note that these procedures are applicable across Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 operating systems.
Identifying the Menu Item
The target of this process is the specific menu item that appears when right-clicking on the desktop. Removing the Registry Hack Method To begin, launch the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) via the Start menu search or the Run dialog box.
Navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\ACE
Within the right-hand pane, double-click the (Default) value. Prepend a series of dashes to the existing value to effectively disable the menu item.
Confirm the removal by right-clicking on the desktop. If desired, the entire key can be deleted, but it is recommended to export the key to a file as a backup before doing so.
Completely Disabling the Shell Extension
For a more comprehensive solution, preventing the shell extension from loading altogether is possible. The Nirsoft ShellExView application provides a convenient way to accomplish this.
Important: When using ShellExView on Vista, ensure you launch the application by right-clicking and selecting "Run as Administrator." This requirement doesn't typically apply to Windows 7, where the registry modification described above functions effectively.
Locate the "SimpleShlExt Class" entry with the description "ACE Context Menu" within the ShellExView list. Then, click the "Disable" button.
If uncertainty exists, double-click the entry to view its details and verify its characteristics. The details should align with the example provided, although version numbers may differ.
Following these steps, the desktop context menu should be free of the unwanted entry.
Is this particular menu item a source of annoyance for you as well?