The best free alternative to the default Windows “Open With” menu is Open with++ (GitHub), an open-source shell extension that replaces the restrictive built-in sub-menu with fully customisable, command-line driven entries.
While the native Windows menu forces you to constantly reset defaults or dig through nested screens to choose secondary apps, this tool allows you to map out your exact application workflow directly into the File Explorer right-click context menu. Key Features of Open with++
Command Line Execution: You can add any app using custom arguments, macros, and specific switches (e.g., launching an image in a specific editor, or opening code directly via a script).
File Type Specific Filters: Commands can be restricted to appear only for specific file extensions (like .png, .txt, .mp4), preventing your context menu from getting cluttered.
Bypasses Default Locks: Unlike Windows, which limits you to setting one stubborn default handler per format, Open with++ lets you stack multiple readily accessible shortcuts.
Clean GUI Configuration: It offers a simple, lightweight interface (OpenwithPPGUI.exe) to install, add, clone, or remove entries without needing to manually rewrite the Windows Registry. A Modern Option for Windows 11 Users
Because Open with++ relies on the classic Win32 context menu format, Windows 11 users will need to enable classic context menus via a registry tweak for it to look seamless.
If you prefer to stick to the native Windows 11 fluent design system without altering your taskbar behavior, a sister application called ContextMenuForWindows11 offers almost identical functionality but maps directly onto the modern Windows 11 right-click menu interface. stax76/OpenWithPlusPlus: Open with++ context … – GitHub
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