Embed PowerShell into Windows Explorer – How To

Since we're name twins, I feel like I really have to try and answer this one.

It's not a perfect solution, but I'd suggest installing AutoHotKey and creating a shortcut key which toggles the navigation pane on and off. In Windows 8 This can be done with the keys Alt,V,N,Space. In Win7 it should be very similar.

After installing AutoHotKey, you can create the following script

F12::
ID := WinExist("A")
WinGetClass,Class, ahk_id %ID%
WClasses := "CabinetWClass ExploreWClass"
IfInString, WClasses, %Class%
{
    Send !vn{Space}
}
return

This maps F12 to toggle the Navigation Bar, only when in Explorer. In any other app F12 will continue to do whatever it does in that app.

If it turns out the shortcut keys in Win7 are different then it's easy enough to discover and change them. Just press Alt in explorer and see what comes up!

It's not a perfect solution of course. As you switch between windows you'll probably need to continually toggle it on and off, but it's a lot faster than running .bat files off the desktop.

Another alternative, as some mentioned, is using an alternative explorer. I couldn't work without xplorer2, I'd highly recommend it.

That is a lot of work, to just run PoSH as an Admin. Just set you PoSH shortcuts to Run As Admin via the shortcut properties, in the Advanced section.

Copy and paste those shortcuts wherever is prudent for you. Taskbar, Desktop, SendTo Menu.

Use the registry to set pwsh.exe as the Right Click Explorer Context Menu option.

Add PowerShell to Windows Explorer Context Menu in Windows 10 https://www.petri.com/add-powershell-windows-explorer-context-menu-windows-10

You do know you can start PoSH in any folder from explorer, simply by clicking the folder the tap F4 and just type powershell or pwsh, or cmd, and they will start from the selected folder. No RegHacks required or other key binding creation and you include in your profile code to auto elevate you to admin.