Windows 11: How to customize the right-click context menu

Although many people enjoy it, Windows 11’s simplified context menu is available right-click., Some people are not happy with the short menu. We’ll look at ways you can customize it to suit your needs.

While editing the registry is the default, it’s not the easiest way to do so. We’ll look into third-party applications that make the task easier.

Method 1: Open the Windows 10 Context Menu with More Options

For the full context menu to be available again, there is no need to make permanent modifications to your computer. Windows 11 automatically provides the option to display the original menu.

But here’s the catch. The catch? You must select it (or use the keyboard shortcut) every time you wish to use it. It is not possible to make it permanent.

It is still an effective way to access the Windows 10 Menu when it is needed, and not having to switch to the original layout.

Right-click the icon to display the Windows 11 context menu. Select the item you wish to use Show more options You can also enter at the bottom. Also, you can use the Shift + F10 Use keyboard shortcut.

Method 2: Select the old menu from the registry and enable it

The text can be edited as well Windows Registry You can customize the right-click navigation menu in certain ways. The Windows 10 menu can be brought back, or you can add customized menu items.

Regediting isn’t something to be done lightly. A wrong key could cause serious problems Computer problems can cause serious damage. . We recommend that you try one of these methods if the procedure is unfamiliar to you.

1. To begin, search for the Registry Editor in the Start Menu.

2. On the left side of the Registry Editor is a folder structure that contains all keys and subfolders. You can interact with any folder’s contents by looking at the right side.

3. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID. . This can be done manually by clicking on the folders and entering the path into the address bar.

4. Select the desired option by right clicking on the space in the left panel New > Key You can also access the pop up menu.

5. Although key names can be descriptive enough to identify which setting they are controlling, an alphanumeric code is required. The following key name is required: {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}
   
   Do not try to write it. Accuracy is key. You can copy-paste it from the above.

6. Name it and create a new key in the existing one: InprocServer32

7. This key can be edited in the right panel.

8. Stop the Registry Editor, and then restart your computer. Alternativly, restart Windows File Explorer using the Task Manager.

This change takes effect when you restart Windows Explorer or your PC. Click anywhere you want to bring up the Windows 10 context menu with the menu items that are missing.

Method 3: You can use the Command-Prompt command to enable Windows 10’s Menu

It’s not that much different than the previous method. The same Registry key will be created, but you’ll be using the Command Prompt to create it instead of the Registry editor. However, it is easier to copy and paste the right terminal command than edit a registry key manually.

1. To get started, type cmd You can find the Start menu.
2. Right-click the Command Prompt Take the result into consideration and then select Run as administrator.

3. We only need to create a registry key. To do this, you can use reg add. Copy-paste this command into your terminal and hit the “Enter” key Enter: :
   

reg add “HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2\InprocServer32” /f /ve

4. The message “The operation was completed successfully” will appear. Although it is a bit disappointing, this message will be more reliable than manual editing.

You should now be able to access the traditional context menu from your computer. You can delete any key that you have added to restore the original look.

Method 4: Edit the Registry to Add More Menu Items

Windows’s functioning is affected by registry keys in a surprising way. You can also enable the older right-click context menu, You can even make completely new entries! .

It is not possible to do something fancy. All you need to do is add shortcuts to frequently used apps to your menu. You should be aware of the dangers associated with registry editing. If you have a good understanding of the process, don’t try it Back up the Registry Before you start.

1. By typing, you can open the Registry editor regedit You can find the Start menu.

2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the following link: Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell
   
   It is also possible to copy/paste the path into your address bar.

3. Click on the empty spot in the right pane to add a key. Then, select “Add a New Key” and click again New > Key.

4. You will use the name of the key to name the menu item text. In this case, Notepad will be added to the menu. We’ll rename it as “Open with Notepad.

5. Add another key to the one you have just made, and give it a name Command.

6. You can edit this key to replace the default value by the path for the app that you wish to open. You only need the name of the app for Notepad or Calculator apps, as they are in the system path. You can copy/paste this path for any other file.

7. Stop the Registry Editor, and then restart your computer.

You will now see the new entry when you right-click the desktop.

Method 5: Create a custom right-click menu using a third-party app

The Simple Context Menu It’s a handy little tool that allows you to modify the right-click context list items to your hearts content. This tool is easier to use than Registry editing due to its GUI design and well-categorised options.

Context Menu Cleaner is also available to clean out the context menu right-click. This tool can be used to delete unnecessary entries, which are often created by software. It doesn’t really matter in Windows 11 because Microsoft already fixed it.

1. From its, download the “Easy Context Menu” official website .

2. The application can be used anywhere, and there is no need for installation. Simply extract the zip file and launch the executable.

3. Easy Context menu opens in a new window. It displays all of the settings and tools that you can include to your right click context menu. You can go through this list, and select the ones you would like to include.

4. Click Next after you’ve chosen all of the options that you want Apply Changes.

You can test out the new Windows menu. If you aren’t happy with any changes you can always delete them. Run Easy Context Menu once more and remove the items you don’t use.

Which is the best way to customize Windows 11’s Right-Click context menu?

If you don’t feel comfortable manipulating Registry keys, it is best to use this method for changing the right-click menu A third-party application You might also like the Easy Context Menu. You can only do this if Shift F10 is not available after every right click.

Copy-paste commands from the previous menu into an elevated command prompt to activate it again. You don’t have to worry about accidentally creating a wrong registry key that could cause your computer to crash.

However, registry editing is the best method to customize the context menu. You can enable the Windows 10 context menu and add shortcuts for other applications with just a few keys.