Visual Studio Code "Open With Code" does not appear after right-clicking a folder

Question

Just installed Visual Studio Code 1.1.1 on a Windows 7 machine. When I right-click on a folder, "Open With Code" does not appear.

Answer 1

I used 64bit VS Code installer

copy and paste this codes into your pc notepad

save as vscode.reg

then open and merge that saved file. happy coding.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Open files

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Open with VS Code]
@="Edit with VS Code"
"Icon"="C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe,0"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Open with VS Code\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""


; This will handle right clicking on a folder and open that folder
; as a new project

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\vscode]
@="Open Folder as VS Code Project"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\",0"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\vscode\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""

; This handles the case of right clicking inside of a folder
; to open that folder as a new project

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\vscode]
@="Open Folder as VS Code Project"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\",0"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\vscode\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%V\""

Answer 2

This questions already has a lot of answers but here is one that will work for any user if VS Code installation folder is in the user's AppData folder, no changing the user name required!

It is based on the original idea by Dave Johnson here, and the answer of @Wosi here, among others in this thread.

I used the %USERPROFILE% environment variable (recognized only in the user context, see here) which refers to C:\\Users\<username>.

For environment variables to be expanded from Registry values, the values must be of type REG_EXPAND_SZ (including the Default value of the keys if they also contain environment variables), and values of this type are not stored as classic text in a .reg file, but as a hex data format. I created the Default values for the new keys with the REG_EXPAND_SZ type using another key I exported to a .reg to avoid using commands (even if I think REG_SZ would have been enough for them in this particular case). See here and here.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Open files

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\VSCode]
@=hex(2):4f,00,70,00,65,00,6e,00,20,00,77,00,26,00,69,00,74,00,68,00,20,00,43,\
  00,6f,00,64,00,65,00,00,00
"Icon"=hex(2):25,00,55,00,53,00,45,00,52,00,50,00,52,00,4f,00,46,00,49,00,4c,\
  00,45,00,25,00,5c,00,41,00,70,00,70,00,44,00,61,00,74,00,61,00,5c,00,4c,00,\
  6f,00,63,00,61,00,6c,00,5c,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,73,\
  00,5c,00,4d,00,69,00,63,00,72,00,6f,00,73,00,6f,00,66,00,74,00,20,00,56,00,\
  53,00,20,00,43,00,6f,00,64,00,65,00,5c,00,43,00,6f,00,64,00,65,00,2e,00,65,\
  00,78,00,65,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\VSCode\command]
@=hex(2):22,00,25,00,55,00,53,00,45,00,52,00,50,00,52,00,4f,00,46,00,49,00,4c,\
  00,45,00,25,00,5c,00,41,00,70,00,70,00,44,00,61,00,74,00,61,00,5c,00,4c,00,\
  6f,00,63,00,61,00,6c,00,5c,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,73,\
  00,5c,00,4d,00,69,00,63,00,72,00,6f,00,73,00,6f,00,66,00,74,00,20,00,56,00,\
  53,00,20,00,43,00,6f,00,64,00,65,00,5c,00,43,00,6f,00,64,00,65,00,2e,00,65,\
  00,78,00,65,00,22,00,20,00,22,00,25,00,31,00,22,00,00,00

; This will make it appear when you right click ON a folder
; The "Icon" line can be removed if you don't want the icon to appear

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\VSCode]
@=hex(2):4f,00,70,00,65,00,6e,00,20,00,46,00,6f,00,6c,00,64,00,65,00,72,00,20,\
  00,61,00,73,00,20,00,56,00,53,00,20,00,43,00,6f,00,64,00,65,00,20,00,50,00,\
  72,00,6f,00,6a,00,65,00,63,00,74,00,00,00
"Icon"=hex(2):22,00,25,00,55,00,53,00,45,00,52,00,50,00,52,00,4f,00,46,00,49,\
  00,4c,00,45,00,25,00,5c,00,41,00,70,00,70,00,44,00,61,00,74,00,61,00,5c,00,\
  4c,00,6f,00,63,00,61,00,6c,00,5c,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,\
  00,73,00,5c,00,4d,00,69,00,63,00,72,00,6f,00,73,00,6f,00,66,00,74,00,20,00,\
  56,00,53,00,20,00,43,00,6f,00,64,00,65,00,5c,00,43,00,6f,00,64,00,65,00,2e,\
  00,65,00,78,00,65,00,22,00,2c,00,30,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\VSCode\command]
@=hex(2):22,00,25,00,55,00,53,00,45,00,52,00,50,00,52,00,4f,00,46,00,49,00,4c,\
  00,45,00,25,00,5c,00,41,00,70,00,70,00,44,00,61,00,74,00,61,00,5c,00,4c,00,\
  6f,00,63,00,61,00,6c,00,5c,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,73,\
  00,5c,00,4d,00,69,00,63,00,72,00,6f,00,73,00,6f,00,66,00,74,00,20,00,56,00,\
  53,00,20,00,43,00,6f,00,64,00,65,00,5c,00,43,00,6f,00,64,00,65,00,2e,00,65,\
  00,78,00,65,00,22,00,20,00,22,00,25,00,31,00,22,00,00,00

; This will make it appear when you right click INSIDE a folder
; The "Icon" line can be removed if you don't want the icon to appear

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\VSCode]
@=hex(2):4f,00,70,00,65,00,6e,00,20,00,46,00,6f,00,6c,00,64,00,65,00,72,00,20,\
  00,61,00,73,00,20,00,56,00,53,00,20,00,43,00,6f,00,64,00,65,00,20,00,50,00,\
  72,00,6f,00,6a,00,65,00,63,00,74,00,00,00
"Icon"=hex(2):22,00,25,00,55,00,53,00,45,00,52,00,50,00,52,00,4f,00,46,00,49,\
  00,4c,00,45,00,25,00,5c,00,41,00,70,00,70,00,44,00,61,00,74,00,61,00,5c,00,\
  4c,00,6f,00,63,00,61,00,6c,00,5c,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,\
  00,73,00,5c,00,4d,00,69,00,63,00,72,00,6f,00,73,00,6f,00,66,00,74,00,20,00,\
  56,00,53,00,20,00,43,00,6f,00,64,00,65,00,5c,00,43,00,6f,00,64,00,65,00,2e,\
  00,65,00,78,00,65,00,22,00,2c,00,30,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\VSCode\command]
@=hex(2):22,00,25,00,55,00,53,00,45,00,52,00,50,00,52,00,4f,00,46,00,49,00,4c,\
  00,45,00,25,00,5c,00,41,00,70,00,70,00,44,00,61,00,74,00,61,00,5c,00,4c,00,\
  6f,00,63,00,61,00,6c,00,5c,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,73,\
  00,5c,00,4d,00,69,00,63,00,72,00,6f,00,73,00,6f,00,66,00,74,00,20,00,56,00,\
  53,00,20,00,43,00,6f,00,64,00,65,00,5c,00,43,00,6f,00,64,00,65,00,2e,00,65,\
  00,78,00,65,00,22,00,20,00,22,00,25,00,56,00,22,00,00,00

---

Edit: you can verify I am not haking into your registry by verifying the hex values with this tool :)

Answer 3

There are a lot of versions here on this page. In order to understand what was really done during the installation, I followed the code of the installer.

The easiest way to solve this issue is by using the installer but if you are using a portable version or whatever reason then basically, it is relevant only for Windows 10 and earlier, but it also works on Windows 11 if you use the old-style menu.

If you are using a version without admin rights then change the HKLM to HKCU(HKEY_CURRENT_USER)

You can put the code in a .reg file or run it manually. The first entry of the file is optional, but I added it as it shows in the code. Needless to say, you need to set the path to your VSCode location.

Please look at the code at the relevant line (the link I added it is on lines 1272-1284) if you want to see for yourselves.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\VSCodeContextMenu]
"Title"="Open with Code"

; when you right click a file
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\*\shell\VSCode]
@="Open with Code"
"Icon"="C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe,0"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\*\shell\VSCode\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""

; when you right click a folder
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\shell\VSCode]
@="Open Folder in Code"
"Icon"="C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe,0"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\shell\VSCode\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""

; when you right click a folder while holding shift
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\VSCode]
@="Open Folder in Code"
"Icon"="C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe,0"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\VSCode\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%V\""

; when you right click the background, not on a particular file or folder.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Drive\shell\VSCode]
@="Open Folder in Code"
"Icon"="C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe,0"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Drive\shell\VSCode\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%V\""

Answer 4

Reinstall Visual Studio Code from the official website, There won't be any data loss.

Just make sure this time to enable those options in the installer:

It just adds the "Open with Code" option after right-clicking in/on the folder.

But if still doesn't appear:

You just need to click on "Show more options" Or shortly with combination of keyboard stroke Shift + F10:

Answer 5

if you have windows 11, don't want to mess up with the registry and don't want to wait for the next updates, just hold down shift while right clicking on a folder or file.

Answer 6

When installing (or reinstall and) check all checkBoxes especially:

Add "Open with Code" action to Windows Explorer file context menu
Add "Open with Code" action to Windows Explorer directory context menu

Answer 7

As an alternative, you can also add the path of vscode installation folder in the Environment Variable => User Variable => Path now with the command prompt you just have to type

code c:\

and it will open the c:\ in vscode.

If you don't want to open cmd.exe you can just type code before the path, as shown below

You need to surround the path as string ".." if the path contains space between

and this will open c:\Windows in vscode

Answer 8

An option, Open with Code Insiders, is being added to the Insiders Build 1.73, specifically for Windows 11. See v1.73 Release Notes:

Windows 11 Context menu

In this release, we are adding the Open with Code Insiders context menu entry to Windows 11 context menu for insiders by default. For users, who had previously opted into the context menu when installing the insiders, the entry which would show up in the old style menu Shift + F10 will now be replaced with the newer entry when updating to the latest insiders. For others, you would need to reinstall insiders and opt-in to enable this menu entry in the setup wizard. Due to the issues we have encountered during development of this menu entry, we plan to iterate on this feature with insiders for a couple of milestones to gain confidence before we can push this out to stable release for all Windows 11 users.

Answer 9

Copied from Right click on Windows folder and open with Visual Studio Code

• Create file vsCodeOpenFolder.reg with this content (If you didn't choose the default installation path then you need to adjust the paths in this file):

   Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
   ; Open files
   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Open with VS Code]
   @="Edit with VS Code"
   "Icon"="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe,0"
   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Open with VS Code\command]
   @="\"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""
   ; This will make it appear when you right click ON a folder
   ; The "Icon" line can be removed if you don't want the icon to appear
   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\vscode]
   @="Open Folder as VS Code Project"
   "Icon"="\"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\",0"
   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\vscode\command]
   @="\"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""
   ; This will make it appear when you right click INSIDE a folder
   ; The "Icon" line can be removed if you don't want the icon to appear
   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\vscode]
   @="Open Folder as VS Code Project"
   "Icon"="\"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\",0"
   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\vscode\command]
   @="\"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%V\""
  

• Double click it to create the registry entries.

• If the "Open with Code" doesn't appear in the Explorer's context menu then you should restart your system.

• If you're running the 64-bit or Insiders version of VS Code, change the path accordingly. ie. C:\\Users\\[user_name]\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe

Answer 10

The quickest solution was to download Visual Studio Code, and reinstall it again.

Then check the boxes that says "Open with Code"

Answer 11

VSCode installation directory is C:\Users\{Username}\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code by default. You can check from here

Make a install.reg file with this content and run it.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Open files
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\*\shell\Open with VS Code]
@="Edit with VS Code"
"Icon"="C:\\Users\\Administrator\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe,0"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\*\shell\Open with VS Code\command]
@="\"C:\\Users\\Administrator\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""
; This will make it appear when you right click ON a folder
; The "Icon" line can be removed if you don't want the icon to appear
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\shell\vscode]
@="Open Folder as VS Code Project"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Users\\Administrator\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\",0"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\shell\vscode\command]
@="\"C:\\Users\\Administrator\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""
; This will make it appear when you right click INSIDE a folder
; The "Icon" line can be removed if you don't want the icon to appear
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\vscode]
@="Open Folder as VS Code Project"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Users\\Administrator\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\",0"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\vscode\command]
@="\"C:\\Users\\Administrator\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%V\""

Answer 12

Open VS Code, Go to Settings, Search Context Menu and Check

Answer 13

my vscode installed here:

C:\Users\saber\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\code.exe

should replace SABER with your pc username

so the script is s.th like this:

save this content as a *.reg file

then run it :

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Open files
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Open with VS Code]
@="Edit with VS Code"
"Icon"="C:\\Users\\saber\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe,0"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Open with VS Code\command]
@="\"C:\\Users\\saber\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""
; This will make it appear when you right click ON a folder
; The "Icon" line can be removed if you don't want the icon to appear
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\vscode]
@="Open Folder as VS Code Project"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Users\\saber\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\",0"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\vscode\command]
@="\"C:\\Users\\saber\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""
; This will make it appear when you right click INSIDE a folder
; The "Icon" line can be removed if you don't want the icon to appear
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\vscode]
@="Open Folder as VS Code Project"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Users\\saber\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\",0"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\vscode\command]
@="\"C:\\Users\\saber\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%V\""

add visual studio code to right click folder in windows

replace the \\saber\\ with \\YOUR_PC_USER_NAME\\

Answer 14

In my case, I just re-run the vscode setup and marked all checkboxes as checked and It worked.

Answer 15

Follow this Steps You will Definitely , Get - Open With Code in Explorer.

Why you are not getting this ,because You Didn't Add that to visual studio code while you install , backup Your Projects, if you have, hen just follow this steps For Windows User:

1. Uninstall Visual Studio Code From. Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features : image

2. Reinstall Visual studio : here You Get/Download : https://code.visualstudio.com/download

3. While install , Stop at Select Additional Tasks, Tick open with options - 2 boxes which is available at install process, complete your installation : image

4. It's Done , check at explorer. You will find that in explorer : image

You Can Also , Try other methods, registry Editor - that's complicated -

Answer 16

If you have vscode installed already and you want the "open with code" option.

Just download vscode from the official website... here!

Run the installer with the option "open with code" checked.

It will update the existing vscode install with the "open with code" option.

Answer 17

Just re run the installer and select the options in the setup and let it install. You'll not loose any data. Everything will be still intact as it was before. It just adds the missing settings and updates the path.

Answer 18

Here comes the version of file provided by Cockney Rhyming Jedi before suitable for use with 64-bit version of Visual Studio Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Open files
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\*\shell\Open with VS Code]
@="Edit with VS Code"
"Icon"="C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe,0"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\*\shell\Open with VS Code\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""
; This will make it appear when you right click ON a folder
; The "Icon" line can be removed if you don't want the icon to appear
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\shell\vscode]
@="Open Folder as VS Code Project"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\",0"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\shell\vscode\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""
; This will make it appear when you right click INSIDE a folder
; The "Icon" line can be removed if you don't want the icon to appear
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\vscode]
@="Open Folder as VS Code Project"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\",0"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\vscode\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%V\""

Answer 19

If you prefer using the keyboard more than the mouse. This solution is for you...

Type the following commands in your file explorer (location).

Open a project

vscode://file/{full path to project}/

vscode://file/c:/myProject/

vscode:// --opens vscode for current directory

Open a file

vscode://file/{full path to file}

vscode://file/c:/myProject/package.json

Open a file to line and column

vscode://file/{full path to file}:line:column

vscode://file/c:/myProject/package.json:5:10

Source: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/editor/command-line

Example:

Answer 20

Paste the code below and save with .reg extension

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 ; Open files

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\*\shell\Open with VS Code] @="Edit with VS Code" 

"Icon"="C:\Users\hp\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe,0" 

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\*\shell\Open with VS Code\command] 

@="\"C:\Users\hp\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe" \"%1\"" 
; This will make it appear when you right click ON a folder 

; The "Icon" line can be removed if you don't want the icon to appear

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\shell\vscode] 
@="Open Folder as VS Code Project"

"Icon"="\"C:\Users\hp\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe",0"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\shell\vscode\command]

@="\"C:\Users\hp\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe" \"%1\"" 

; This will make it appear when you right click INSIDE a folder ; The "Icon" line can be removed if you don't want the icon to appear

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\vscode]

@="Open Folder as VS Code Project"

"Icon"="\"C:\Users\hp\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe",0

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\vscode\command]

@="\"C:\Users\hp\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe" \"%V\""

Then press the Windows key, locate Visual Studio Code, then right click and open file the location:

Right click and click Properties, then copy the file path.

Open regedit:

For each of the following, double click on the icon, and paste the file path you copied from above:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\*\shell\Open with VS Code]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\*\shell\Open with VS Code\command]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\shell\vscode]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\shell\vscode\command]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\vscode]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\vscode\command]

Answer 21

try to find out the Microsoft vs Code files it is some time in the default location and sometimes it is in C:\Users\PAPPU KUMAR\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code.

and then add it to the vscode.reg(create one) files.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Open files
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Open with VS Code]
@="Edit with VS Code"
"Icon"="C:\\Users\\PAPPU KUMAR\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe,0"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Open with VS Code\command]
@="\"C:\\Users\\PAPPU KUMAR\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""
; This will make it appear when you right click ON a folder
; The "Icon" line can be removed if you don't want the icon to appear
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\vscode]
@="Open Folder as VS Code Project"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Users\\PAPPU KUMAR\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\",0"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\vscode\command]
@="\"C:\\Users\\PAPPU KUMAR\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""
; This will make it appear when you right click INSIDE a folder
; The "Icon" line can be removed if you don't want the icon to appear
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\vscode]
@="Open Folder as VS Code Project"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Users\\PAPPU KUMAR\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\",0"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\vscode\command]
@="\"C:\\Users\\PAPPU KUMAR\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%V\""

Answer 22

Just run the installer again with open in file explorer option selected. You'll be all set.

Don't worry about the files already opened in vsCode, none of them will be changed

Answer 23

None of the registry entries above worked for me with a standard (non-admin) user account.

I then inserted all the keys into HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and then it worked!

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; when you right click a file
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\*\shell\VSCode]
@="Open with Code"
"Icon"="C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe,0"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\*\shell\VSCode\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""

; when you right click a folder
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\shell\VSCode]
@="Open Folder in Code"
"Icon"="C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe,0"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\shell\VSCode\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""

; when you right click a folder while holding shift
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\VSCode]
@="Open Folder in Code"
"Icon"="C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe,0"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\VSCode\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%V\""

; when you right click the background, not on a particular file or folder.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\LibraryFolder\Background\shell\VSCode]
@="Open Folder in Code"
"Icon"="C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe,0"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\LibraryFolder\Background\shell\VSCode\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%V\""

Answer 24

I had the same issue with earlier version of VS code 64 bit. It didn't work even after I re-installed by checking the above mentioned options.

I have installed the latest update of code v1.25.0, and the issue was automatically fixed.

Please find the 64 bit regedit fix here.

Answer 25

This problem usually occurs when the vs code user has standard user role. On VS Code installation admin prompt pops up which means that vs code is installed as admin user. If you ticked the boxes, the shortcuts are added but applied only on admin account which was typed into admin prompt on installation.

Quick workaround is to temporary add the current user (who will use the vs code) to administrators group, uninstall and then install VS Code again with the current user admin rights, and after installation remove the user from the admin group.

Answer 26

NB: This is for the 32-bit version, for the 64-bit version see Cepharum's answer.

Slight change to the previous answer to allow non Admins to get the functionality in their context menus:

• Create file vsCodeOpenFolder.reg with this content (If you didn't chose the default installation path then you need to adjust the paths in this file):

  Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
  ; Open files
  [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\*\shell\Open with VS Code]
  @="Edit with VS Code"
  "Icon"="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe,0"
  [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\*\shell\Open with VS Code\command]
  @="\"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""
  ; This will make it appear when you right click ON a folder
  ; The "Icon" line can be removed if you don't want the icon to appear
  [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\shell\vscode]
  @="Open Folder as VS Code Project"
  "Icon"="\"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\",0"
  [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\shell\vscode\command]
  @="\"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%1\""
  ; This will make it appear when you right click INSIDE a folder
  ; The "Icon" line can be removed if you don't want the icon to appear
  [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\vscode]
  @="Open Folder as VS Code Project"
  "Icon"="\"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\",0
  [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Directory\Background\shell\vscode\command]
  @="\"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe\" \"%V\""
  

• Double click it to create the registry entries

• If the "Open with Code" doesn't appear in the Explorer's context menu then you should restart your system.

Essentially I have replaced HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT with HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes

Answer 27

I'd like to add that, many would like to go for the Registry method because they are afraid they might loose all their settings. Just re-download(if you don't already have the download file ) and reinstall. When reinstalling, tick

Add "Open with Code" action to Windows Explorer file context menu
Add "Open with Code" action to Windows Explorer directory context menu

as already said in other answers. Your settings will remain intact. In fact, when it launches, it launches with your working directory as if you never uninstalled it.

Answer 28

These settings are normally stored per-user for VS Code.

To set for a new user account: re-run the installer.