Can I add file types to the "new files" menus?

Can I customize the menu for creating new files, specifically the one when I
right-clickon the desktop, select 'new' and a list pops up with Folder,
Shortcut, and a bunch of file types? or the very similar list (the same as
far as I can tell) that pops up when I'm viewing a folder, hit the File menu
and select New?

I'd like to add a file type or two (off the top of my head, rtf .. or is
that hopelessly old fashioned?), maybe delete some I'm not using, and maybe
even change the order so the ones I use every day are at the top.

Sorry for such a simple question, but I can't seem to find the right terms
to search for in Help, Google or Dejanews.

"ggull" <> wrote in
news::

> Can I customize the menu for creating new files, specifically the one
> when I right-clickon the desktop, select 'new' and a list pops up with
> Folder, Shortcut, and a bunch of file types? or the very similar list
> (the same as far as I can tell) that pops up when I'm viewing a
> folder, hit the File menu and select New?
>
> I'd like to add a file type or two (off the top of my head, rtf .. or
> is that hopelessly old fashioned?), maybe delete some I'm not using,
> and maybe even change the order so the ones I use every day are at the
> top.
>
> Sorry for such a simple question, but I can't seem to find the right
> terms to search for in Help, Google or Dejanews.

Your search term should be "ShellNew".

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/shellnewadd.htm

"Mark Blain" <> wrote in message
news:Xns9B3B9AC81202Bmblainalbany@207.46.248.16...
> "ggull" <> wrote :
>
>> Can I customize the menu for creating new files, specifically the one
>> when I right-clickon the desktop, select 'new' and a list pops up with
>> Folder, Shortcut, and a bunch of file types? or the very similar list
>> (the same as far as I can tell) that pops up when I'm viewing a
>> folder, hit the File menu and select New?
>>
>> I'd like to add a file type or two (off the top of my head, rtf .. or
>> is that hopelessly old fashioned?), maybe delete some I'm not using,
>> and maybe even change the order so the ones I use every day are at the
>> top.
>>
>> Sorry for such a simple question, but I can't seem to find the right
>> terms to search for in Help, Google or Dejanews.
>
> Your search term should be "ShellNew".
>
> http://windowsxp.mvps.org/shellnewadd.htm

Thanks, I wouldn't have known that search term.
A slightly more precise reference, which I found from the above, might be

http://www.winhelponline.com/article...ows-Vista.html

"ggull" <> wrote in
news::

> "Mark Blain" <> wrote in message
> news:Xns9B3B9AC81202Bmblainalbany@207.46.248.16...
>> "ggull" <> wrote :
>>
>>> Can I customize the menu for creating new files, specifically the
>>> one when I right-clickon the desktop, select 'new' and a list pops
>>> up with Folder, Shortcut, and a bunch of file types? or the very
>>> similar list (the same as far as I can tell) that pops up when I'm
>>> viewing a folder, hit the File menu and select New?
>>>
>>> I'd like to add a file type or two (off the top of my head, rtf ..
>>> or is that hopelessly old fashioned?), maybe delete some I'm not
>>> using, and maybe even change the order so the ones I use every day
>>> are at the top.
>>>
>>> Sorry for such a simple question, but I can't seem to find the right
>>> terms to search for in Help, Google or Dejanews.
>>
>> Your search term should be "ShellNew".
>>
>> http://windowsxp.mvps.org/shellnewadd.htm
>
> Thanks, I wouldn't have known that search term.
> A slightly more precise reference, which I found from the above, might
> be
>
> http://www.winhelponline.com/article...moving-ShellNe
> w-entries-in-Windows-Vista.html

Whatever you prefer. I like the more-detailed one that shows how to make
the change directly in the registry, and also explains the advantages of
putting a new item "template" in folder c:\windows\shellnew to go with
your registry change. It's not necessary, but it may be helpful.

"Mark Blain" <> wrote ...
> "ggull" <> wrote
>> "Mark Blain" <> wrote
<snip>
>>> Your search term should be "ShellNew".
>>>
>>> http://windowsxp.mvps.org/shellnewadd.htm
>>
>> Thanks, I wouldn't have known that search term.
>> A slightly more precise reference, which I found from the above, might
>> be
>>
>> http://www.winhelponline.com/article...moving-ShellNe
>> w-entries-in-Windows-Vista.html
>
> Whatever you prefer. I like the more-detailed one that shows how to make
> the change directly in the registry, and also explains the advantages of
> putting a new item "template" in folder c:\windows\shellnew to go with
> your registry change. It's not necessary, but it may be helpful.

I respect that viewpoint. I tend to like to know what's *really* going on
myself.
But I need to educate myself on what's really going on with the registry,
and am a bit registry-shy in the meanwhile. Next big project:-).
I appreciate your pointers, but I'll probably postpone this ... it's not my
own computer and I don't want to take a chance on mucking it up. I'll maybe
try the concept on my own (XP) system first after a bit of study.