BigJim,

Thanks for the info, I'll be along!
Moonsoftware put out several goods apps that I used for years and they were of the best species, Freeware.
I'm glad to hear that he/them is alive and well and still producing software for us idiots, hopefully, more that we can afford!
I was up in your neck of the woods about 56 years ago. Myself and a couple of chums took a tour up around the Gaspe'. Two things about the place I'll never forget.......... most of the birds in the world live up there and the women didn't shave their legs. We had a ball until the Moosehead ran out. Beautiful country

Happy Holidays,

Cuffy

HTML Help Workshop is available for free from Microsoft. I've used it for years to compile simple help files and I say simple because I'm too old and lazy to get into ActiveX and the other hairy things you can do with it.
Google should find it for you easily and if not come back.
I have dozens of chm files compiled from pages downloaded from the web. Download the pages, patch the links or add an html index and compile using Workshop. It's a neat way to save tutorials downloaded from support sites. All the screenshots, etc., are compiled into one package.
I'll be glad to help get you started if you want. My experience is limited to HTML Help Workshop though!

I think we've got what I wanted. I cleaned all the junk from previous installs of several different apps from the registry and installed FileNoter. It works fine right out of the box (filenoter.exe). The registry entries for filenoter are as follows:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\FileNoter\command]
@="C:\\Apps\\filenoter\\filenoter.exe \"context_initiated_filenoter\" \"%L\""

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\*\shell\FileNoter]
@="FileNoter"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\*\shell\FileNoter\command]
@="C:\\Apps\\filenoter\\filenoter.exe \"context_initiated_filenoter\" \"%L\""
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\*\shell\FileNoter]
@="FileNoter"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\*\shell\FileNoter\command]
@="C:\\Apps\\filenoter\\filenoter.exe \"context_initiated_filenoter\" \"%L\""

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\*\shell\FileNoter]
@="FileNoter"

As you can see there are entries for both 32 bit and 64 bit systems. I think the Wow6432Node means Windows on windows but don't quote me.

The appended extensions:
I've played around using various file types and I think the appended extension will work fine. The main reason I use a file note is because I'm a downloading fool with a short memory. Some of the files from MS, for instance, have a cryptic file name that I can't remember long enough for the download window to close. I download everything to this 64 bit machine and the files downloaded are for several different OSs. The note helps prevent unzipping or trying to install to the wrong system. It's also a place to keep any serial numbers for any particular app.
The append feature appends the txt extension each time it's applied so if I use filenoter on myphoto.jpg.txt it adds another txt extension to make it myphoto.jpg.txt.txt, which might just be handy as a clue that some sort of action was applied to that file more than once. Damned clever, sir!
One question remains that I'd appreciate some clarification on. Your code in filenoter seems to make the desired entry in the registry to install filenoter if it's not already installed. If it's already installed then a double click on filenoter.exe will remove the entry from the registry. Is that correct? The .exe file becomes a toggle?
And lastly, are you going to try the trial version of XPPro 64? I ran out the trial and then purchased the 64 bit version.
It's probably my imagination but I think the 64 bit OS gives you a 10 to 15% speed bump over it's 32 bit brother.
I wouldn't even think of going back to a 32 bit system.
TIA