We've all been there - you right-click a file to rename or open it, but accidentally hit "Print" instead. Suddenly your office printer starts churning out 50 pages of raw code or documentation. Here's how to surgically remove that option.

For individual machines, the most precise method is registry editing. This targets the context menu handler:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]
@=""

For domain environments, use Group Policy to push this change:

User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → File Explorer
→ Remove "Print" from File Explorer context menu

If you only want to disable printing for specific file types (e.g., .txt but keep .docx):

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\txtfile\shell\print]
"LegacyDisable"=""

After making changes:

1. Restart File Explorer (explorer.exe)
2. Verify the print option is missing from context menus
3. Check that other functions remain unaffected

• This doesn't prevent Ctrl+P keyboard shortcuts
• Some applications may maintain their own context menus
• Always back up registry before making changes

Many system administrators and power users want to remove the "Print" option from Windows File Explorer's context menu to prevent accidental printing or enforce printing policies. Here's how to disable it through various methods.

The most direct approach is editing the Windows Registry. Create a backup before proceeding:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\PrintTo]
@=""

For domain environments, Group Policy provides centralized control:

1. Open Group Policy Management Console (gpmc.msc)
2. Navigate to: User Configuration → Preferences → Windows Settings → Registry
3. Right-click → New → Registry Item
4. Configure:
   - Action: Delete
   - Hive: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
   - Key Path: \*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\PrintTo

For users uncomfortable with registry edits, tools like Ultimate Windows Tweaker or Winaero Tweaker can disable context menu items through GUI interfaces.

After making changes:

1. Restart File Explorer (taskkill /f /im explorer.exe)
2. Launch new explorer.exe instance
3. Right-click any file to verify the Print option is removed

Be aware that:

• These changes affect all file types
• Some applications may add their own print handlers
• Windows updates might reset these changes