One of the highlights of Windows 11 is the redesigned right-click context menu. It’s visually cleaner and more focused. While many have found it better, some folks have disliked it. They have termed it less functional due to the extra step required to access extended options. If you are one of those willing to restore the classic context menus on your Windows PC, this detailed guide has got you covered. Having said that, let’s learn the 4 different ways to get back the old right-click menu in Windows 11.
Why the New Context Menu Feels Limited
The biggest pain point is the fact that the new context menu in Windows 11 is designed with touch devices in mind. As a result, the menu hides several advanced options under the “Show more options” submenu, which requires an extra click or pressing Shift + F10.
The additional step tends to slow down workflow for power users who rely on quick access to familiar tools like “Properties,” “Send to,” and third-party app integrations.
Method 1: Restore Classic Context Menu Using Registry Editor
One of the easiest and most effective ways to bring back the old context menu is through a registry tweak.
- To get it done, press Windows + R > type
regedit, and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSIDRight-click on CLSID > New > Key. Name the new key:{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}
- Right-click on this new key > New > Key again and name it
InprocServer32.
- In the right pane, double-click the default string under InprocServer32 and leave the Value Data field empty.
- Next, click OK and exit Registry Editor.
- In the end, be sure to restart your computer or Windows Explorer for changes to take effect.
Method 2: Use Command Prompt to Apply the Registry Fix
If you prefer using the Command Prompt, you can apply the same registry tweak using a single-line command.
- To do so, press the Windows + S > search for “cmd,” right-click Command Prompt, and select “Run as administrator.”
- Paste the following command and press Enter:
reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f /ve - Once the command is executed successfully, restart your PC or log out and back in to enable the classic context menu.
Method 3: Use a One-Click Registry File
If you are uncomfortable with manual registry editing, you can create a .reg file to automate the process.
- Just launch Notepad on your PC and paste the following text:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}]
@=""
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32]
@=""
- After that, make sure to save the file as
classic_context_menu.reg. - Then, double-click the file and accept the confirmation prompt.
- After applying, be sure to restart your system to see the changes.
Method 4: Why Not Third-Party Tools You Can Try
If you want a GUI-based tool to toggle context menus without touching the registry, you can use utilities like Winaero Tweaker or ExplorerPatcher. These tools offer user-friendly interfaces and include additional customization options for Windows 11.
After installing, go to the context menu section and enable the classic style with just a few clicks. These tools also let you revert changes at any time.
How to Revert Back to the Default Windows 11 Context Menu
If you ever want to switch back to the default context menu, you can easily undo the changes.
- Open Registry Editor and navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID. - Right-click and delete the key
{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}. - Alternatively, if you used the
.regfile method, create another.regfile with the following content to remove it automatically:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}]
- Save it as
remove_classic_context_menu.reg, run it, and restart your computer.
Wrapping up..!
That’s pretty much it! While Windows 11’s new context menu design fits Microsoft’s modern UI approach, it can be less efficient for power users. By applying a simple registry tweak or using third-party tools, you can bring back the full-featured context menu from Windows 10. Whether you’re a developer, IT professional, or someone who prefers the old layout, these methods ensure you maintain the speed and functionality you’re used to in your daily workflow.
