How to Make Windows 11 Always Show More Options — A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 13, 2025

Windows 11 brought a fresh, modern interface with rounded corners, centered taskbar icons, and a simplified context menu. But if you’ve upgraded from Windows 10, you’ve probably noticed a small but annoying change: right-click menus now hide many of the options you were used to. Instead, you have to click “Show more options” every time to see the full classic context menu. Frustrating, right?

Good news — you don’t have to live with this extra click forever. In this in-depth, step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to make Windows 11 always show more options so you can bring back the full right-click menu permanently.

This guide will cover multiple methods, including using Registry Editor, Command Prompt, and third-party tools, so you can choose whichever works best for you.

Why Windows 11 Hides Options by Default

Microsoft redesigned Windows 11 to make context menus look cleaner and simpler. By default, only the most commonly used options appear, while the rest are tucked away under “Show more options.” The goal was to reduce clutter, but for power users, this means more clicks and wasted time.

Benefits of Showing More Options by Default

Why bother changing it? Here are some reasons:

  • Faster Workflow: Skip the extra click and save time.
  • Full Control: Access legacy right-click features directly.
  • Better Compatibility: Some apps add context menu items that only show up in the old-style menu.
  • Consistency: It feels just like Windows 10, which many users prefer.

Method 1 — Use the Registry Editor (Recommended)

This method permanently enables the classic right-click menu for your account. Don’t worry, it’s safe if you follow the steps carefully.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Open the Registry Editor
    • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
    • Type regedit and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to the CLSID Key
    • Go to the following path:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID
  3. Create a New Key
    • Right-click on CLSID → choose New > Key.
    • Name it:
    {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}
  4. Create a Subkey
    • Right-click on the newly created key → choose New > Key.
    • Name this subkey:
    InprocServer32
  5. Set the Default Value
    • Click on InprocServer32.
    • In the right panel, double-click (Default).
    • Make sure the value data is empty and click OK.
  6. Restart Windows Explorer
    • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
    • Find Windows Explorer, right-click it, and choose Restart.

Now, right-click anywhere, and you’ll see the full classic context menu by default.

Method 2 — Use Command Prompt (Quickest Way)

If you prefer typing a single command instead of manually editing the registry, try this:

Steps

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
    • Press Windows + S, type cmd.
    • Right-click Command Prompt → choose Run as administrator.
  2. Run the Command
    Copy and paste the following command and press Enter:

    reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f /ve
  3. Restart Windows Explorer
    • Run this command:
    taskkill /f /im explorer.exe & start explorer.exe

Done — your classic context menu is back.

Method 3 — Use a One-Click Registry File

Don’t want to manually edit anything? You can create a .reg file to automate the process.

Steps

  1. Open Notepad.
  2. Paste the following code:
    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32]
@=""
  3. Save the file as ShowMoreOptions.reg.
  4. Double-click the file and allow it to make changes.
  5. Restart Windows Explorer.

This is the fastest way for non-technical users.

How to Revert to Default Windows 11 Context Menu

Changed your mind? Here’s how to go back:

  1. Open Registry Editor.
  2. Navigate to:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID
  3. Find and delete the key:
    {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}
  4. Restart Windows Explorer.

You’ll now see the modern simplified menu again.

Method 4 — Use Third-Party Tools

Some popular tools make this even easier:

  • Winaero Tweaker — Free, all-in-one Windows customization tool with a toggle for the classic context menu.
  • Explorer Patcher — Brings back Windows 10-like features including the full context menu.

These are great if you like tweaking multiple settings at once.

Common Issues and Fixes

Issue 1: Classic Menu Didn’t Appear

  • Make sure you restarted Windows Explorer.
  • Double-check the registry key and subkey names for typos.

Issue 2: Menu Still Looks Half-Modern

  • Restart your PC completely. Sometimes Explorer restart isn’t enough.

Issue 3: “Access Denied” in Command Prompt

  • Run Command Prompt as Administrator.

Tips for Power Users

  • Combine this tweak with restoring the classic Taskbar or File Explorer ribbon for a full Windows 10-like experience.
  • Use Group Policy Editor (if available) to enforce this across multiple PCs.

Safety Precautions Before Editing the Registry

  • Always back up the registry before making changes: File → Export.
  • Create a System Restore Point so you can roll back if needed.

Performance Impact — Will This Slow Down Windows?

No. This tweak simply tells Windows to use the legacy context menu. There’s no measurable impact on performance.

Advantages of the Classic Context Menu

  • More Options at a Glance: No need to expand hidden menus.
  • Right-Click Power: Access advanced file options like “Open command window here.”
  • Better Workflow for Developers & Power Users: Faster access to version control tools, custom scripts, etc.

Alternative Solution: Learn Keyboard Shortcuts

If you don’t want to edit anything, try this shortcut:

  • Right-click an item, then press Shift + F10 — this opens the full classic context menu instantly.

This is temporary but handy if you don’t want to tweak system settings.

Conclusion

Bringing back the classic context menu in Windows 11 is a small tweak that can save you clicks and frustration. Whether you choose the Registry Editor, Command Prompt, or a one-click .reg file, the process is simple and reversible. Power users will appreciate the improved workflow, and even casual users will enjoy the familiarity of the old-style right-click menu.

FAQs

Q1: Is it safe to edit the Windows Registry to enable more options?
Yes — as long as you follow the steps carefully and back up the registry first.

Q2: Will this tweak survive a Windows update?
Most updates will keep the setting, but some major feature updates may reset it. Just reapply the tweak if needed.

Q3: Can I enable this for all users on my PC?
Yes — apply the registry key under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE instead of HKEY_CURRENT_USER.

Q4: Do I need to restart my PC after applying the tweak?
Not always. Restarting Windows Explorer is usually enough.

Q5: Will this break any Windows 11 features?
No — it only affects how context menus are displayed, not system functionality.

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