How to Change Windows 11 Right-Click Menu: A Step-by-Step Guide

Windows 11 brought a fresh look and sleek design, but one of the biggest changes users noticed was the new right-click context menu. While it looks modern, not everyone is a fan — some find it simplified to the point of being less useful. The good news? You can customize or even restore the classic Windows 10-style right-click menu with just a few steps.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to change your Windows 11 right-click menu, whether you want to tweak it, restore the classic version, or personalize it to your workflow.

Why Change the Windows 11 Right-Click Menu?

Before diving into the steps, let’s understand why you might want to make changes.

Fewer Options, More Clicks

Windows 11 hides some options like “Refresh” or “Open with” under Show more options, which means extra clicks.

Familiarity with the Old Menu

If you’re used to the classic right-click menu from Windows 10, the new one may feel limited and unfamiliar.

Customization and Productivity

Developers, power users, and even casual users often prefer quick access to certain commands that are now buried.

Options for Changing the Right-Click Menu in Windows 11

You have a few different ways to tackle this problem:

Restore the classic Windows 10 menu using Registry Editor.
Use third-party tools for deeper customization.
Personalize context menus with additional tweaks.

Let’s break them down.

Step 1: Backup Before Making Changes

Before tweaking the registry or using tools, it’s smart to back up your system.

Create a System Restore Point.
Export your Registry Settings if you’re editing the registry.

This way, if anything goes wrong, you can quickly roll back.

Step 2: Restore Classic Context Menu via Registry Editor

Here’s the manual way to bring back the old right-click menu:

Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID
Right-click CLSID, then select New > Key.
Name the new key:

{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}
Inside this new key, create another subkey called:

InprocServer32
Double-click the (Default) entry inside InprocServer32 and leave the value blank.
Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Now, your right-click menu will look like the classic Windows 10 version.

Step 3: Revert Back to Windows 11 Default Menu

If you ever want to undo this change:

Open Registry Editor again.
Delete the key you created:

{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}
Restart your PC.

The modern Windows 11 menu will return.

Step 4: Use Third-Party Tools for Customization

If editing the registry feels overwhelming, third-party apps can help.

Popular Tools to Try

Winaero Tweaker – Simple toggles to restore the old menu and tweak many Windows 11 settings.
Explorer Patcher – Restores classic context menus, taskbar, and other UI elements.
Right Click Enhancer – Lets you add custom shortcuts and actions.

These tools are user-friendly and often safer for non-tech users.

Step 5: Customize Your Menu Further

Want more than just the old menu back? You can customize it:

Add Your Own Shortcuts

With tools like Right Click Enhancer, you can add quick-access commands like:

Open Notepad
Launch Command Prompt
Direct folder shortcuts

Remove Clutter

If your right-click menu feels overloaded, customization tools allow you to remove unused entries.

Step 6: Enable Hidden Options in Windows 11

If you like the modern menu but miss certain options:

Right-click anywhere and select Show more options to access the classic menu temporarily.
Use Shift + Right-click for extra options in some cases.

Pros and Cons of Changing the Right-Click Menu

✅ Pros

Faster access to commonly used tools.
Restores familiarity for Windows 10 users.
Allows full customization with third-party apps.

❌ Cons

Editing the registry can be risky if done incorrectly.
Third-party apps may conflict with updates.
Updates to Windows 11 may undo changes.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Menu Didn’t Change After Restart

Double-check the registry path.
Make sure you left the InprocServer32 value empty.

Context Menu Becomes Unstable

Delete the registry key you added.
Consider using a third-party tool instead.

Windows Update Reverts the Change

Repeat the registry edit after major updates.
Use a customization app for persistent changes.

Conclusion

The right-click menu in Windows 11 is sleek, but not everyone loves the simplified approach. Luckily, you’re not stuck with it — you can restore the classic version with a registry tweak or use third-party tools for even deeper customization. Think of it like rearranging your toolbox: whether you prefer a minimal setup or all your tools in one place, Windows 11 gives you the flexibility to choose.

FAQs

Q1. Can I completely restore the Windows 10 right-click menu in Windows 11?
Yes, using the Registry Editor method or third-party tools like Explorer Patcher.

Q2. Is editing the registry safe?
It’s safe if you follow instructions carefully, but always back up your registry before making changes.

Q3. Will Windows updates undo my changes?
Sometimes major updates reset customizations, meaning you may need to reapply them.

Q4. What’s the easiest way to change the right-click menu without registry edits?
Using tools like Winaero Tweaker or Explorer Patcher is the simplest way.

Q5. Can I add custom shortcuts to the right-click menu?
Yes, with third-party apps you can add shortcuts to apps, files, and commands.