WSL 'Bash Here' Context Menu Item

Similarly to how you can hold shift whilst you right click on a directory within Windows explorer to open a new command prompt at that directory, it is also possible to do the same with the new WSL Bash. This can make it much easier to work with files within explorer from within the WSL as opposed to lengthy cd commands to the relevant mnt.

To add the new context menu item for Bash within explorer, you need to create a new key within the registry and a few new values underneath it:

1. Open the registry editor by searching for regedit or going through Win+R. You will need admin privileges to open the editor.
2. (Optional) Backup your registry via File->Export.
3. Navigate to the key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell.
4. Create a new key called WSL under shell and and another key underneath WSL called command. This should reflect the structure in the cmd key within shell. The newly created structure should be HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\WSL\command.
5. Change the Default value under the WSL key to the value you want to see in the context menu e.g. ‘Bash Prompt Here’.
6. (Optional) Create a new String value called Icon under the WSL key with a value of %USERPROFILE%\\AppData\\Local\\lxss\\bash.ico. This will make the bash icon appear in the context menu as seen in the screenshot above.
7. Change the Default value under the command key to cmd.exe /c pushd "%V" && bash.exe.
8. Exit the editor and test by right clicking the white space within any directory in Windows Explorer.

You should something corresponding to the screenshot. Selecting the new menu item will open up a new WSL Bash prompt starting at the current directory.

Here is the contents of a .reg file you can also use instead of the above. Simply copy the contents into a file with the .reg extension and then double click on it to merge it into your registry.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\WSL]
@="Bash Prompt Here"
"Icon"="%USERPROFILE%\\AppData\\Local\\lxss\\bash.ico"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\WSL\command]
@="cmd.exe /c pushd \"%V\" && bash.exe"