System and method for user modification of metadata in a shell browser

A computer-readable memory device storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computing device having an operating system, facilitate operations enabling a user to modify metadata within an operating-system browser comprising:

• displaying a plurality of graphical items that represent a plurality of files stored in the computing system in a first pane of an operating-system shell browser window;
• receiving a selection of a graphical item that is presented in the operating-system browser and that represents one of the plurality of files stored in the computing system;
• in response to the selection, presenting metadata of at least the one of the plurality of files in a second pane of the operating-system shell browser window, wherein the plurality of graphical items remain displayed in the first pane when the metadata is presented in the second pane;
• receiving a user selection of the metadata;
• providing a context menu that is displayed in front of the operating-system shell browser window when the user selection is received, wherein the context menu provides selectable options to modify the metadata and wherein the plurality of graphical items and the metadata remain displayed when the context menu is displayed;
• and
• responsive to a user input, without opening an application running in the operating system, modifying the metadata to create modified metadata, wherein the modified metadata is application-neutral such that the modified metadata is available to subsequent requesting applications.