Restore Windows 10 Style Right-Click Context Menu in Windows 11

WindowsI’ve added a Windows 11 laptop to the set of computers that I use. While I can live with most of the differences, one which immediately caused me problems was the new shrunken right-click context menus.

You can click on Show more options, but two of the options I use the most (for 7-zip and Notepad++) are on the show more section:

Windows 11 context menu

I did some digging around and the Windows 10 style right-click context menu can be restored, but only via editing the registry.

exclamation Danger!

Editing the registry is very dangerous as it is easy to inadvertly break something. Only proceed if you are sure of your ability to correctly make changes and manage any fallout should something go wrong.

To open the Registry Editor press Ctrl + R and type regedit.

We will need to add a new registry key; do this by navigating to Computer\ HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ SOFTWARE\ CLASSES\ CLSID and right-click and select New « Key:

Name the new key {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} (including braces):

New key for {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}

Right-click the key you just created and again select New « Key:

Name the new key InprocServer32:

New key for InprocServer32

An entry called {Default} will automatically be created; double-click this and then, without entering anything, click OK:

Edit String

Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer; next time you right-click you should see the full Windows 10 style right-click context menu:

Windows 10 style context menu

What should we write about next?

If there is a topic which fits the typical ones of this site, which you would like to see me write about, please use the form, below, to submit your idea.

Your Name

Your Email

Suggested Topic

Suggestion Details

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *