1)
I know how to add items to context menus for various file types in Windows by editing the appropriate registry entries under the ROOT hive. What I would like to do, however, is group items under a folder or whatever you call it. I want it so when you right click over a txt file, for example, there is an option that is called "custom action" and when you hover over it it expands with a new menu with various commands. Basically, I want something liek the WinZip context menu.

I realize that the WinZip context menu is done by creating a context menu handler using a COM object compiled to a DLL. Is there any way to do this besides creating a DLL?

2)
If I have created custom file types/extensions with more than 4 character extensions it seems that I can't add context menu options the regular way via editing the registry. Even if I add something under the Shell\open\command key nothing happens. Is this a problem due to having a 7 character extension? Maybe windows has a limit on file extension lengths?

Thanks.