Windows 11 introduced a new context menu design to make right-click menus cleaner and more modern. Instead of showing all options at once, it displays a streamlined menu with a “Show more options” link for the full legacy menu.
While this looks neat, many users find it annoying—especially if you frequently use the full context menu. The good news? You can tweak your system to bypass or remove the “Show more options” prompt.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to remove “Show more options” in Windows 11 step by step.
What Is “Show More Options” in Windows 11?
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Introduced to simplify right-click menus.
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Only shows commonly used options by default.
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Clicking Show more options opens the classic Windows 10-style menu.
Think of it like a folded map—you see the main streets first, but need to unfold it to see all the side streets.
Why Users Want to Remove It
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Speeds up workflow for power users.
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Reduces unnecessary clicks.
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Brings back the familiar classic right-click menu.
Method 1: Use the Registry Editor
Warning: Editing the registry can be risky. Always create a backup before proceeding.
Steps:
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Press Win + R, type
regedit, and press Enter. -
Navigate to:
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Right-click CLSID > New > Key.
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Name it:
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Right-click your new key > New > Key.
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Name this subkey:
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Double-click (Default) in the right pane and leave the Value data empty.
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Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
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Restart your PC or Windows Explorer to apply changes.
✅ Result: The classic right-click menu will appear directly, removing the need for “Show more options.”
Method 2: Use a Third-Party Tool
If you’re not comfortable editing the registry, you can use tools like:
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Winaero Tweaker → Offers a toggle to restore the classic context menu.
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ExplorerPatcher → Reverts Explorer behavior, including right-click menus.
Steps usually involve:
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Download and install the tool.
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Open it and look for Classic Context Menu or Right-Click menu settings.
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Apply changes and restart Windows Explorer.
Method 3: Keyboard Shortcut to Access Full Menu Quickly
If you don’t want to make permanent changes:
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Right-click a file or folder.
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Press Shift + F10.
This opens the classic context menu directly without clicking “Show more options.”
It’s a quick workaround without registry edits.
Tips for Working With Right-Click Menus in Windows 11
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Pin frequently used options to the top of the streamlined menu.
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Combine Shift + Right-Click for quick access to extra commands.
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If experimenting with registry tweaks, always backup your registry first.
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Restart Windows Explorer to see changes immediately: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Right-click Windows Explorer → Restart.
Troubleshooting: Changes Not Taking Effect
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Make sure you restarted your PC or Explorer.
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Double-check the registry path and key names.
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If issues occur, restore registry backup.
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Third-party tools may conflict—disable any conflicting Explorer mods.
Conclusion
The “Show more options” feature in Windows 11 is useful for casual users but can slow down productivity for power users. By using either the Registry Editor, a third-party tool, or the Shift + F10 shortcut, you can bypass it and restore the classic right-click menu.
This tweak makes your workflow faster, reduces unnecessary clicks, and brings back the familiar interface many users loved in Windows 10.
FAQs
1. Is it safe to edit the registry to remove “Show more options”?
Yes, if you follow instructions carefully and back up your registry beforehand.
2. Can I undo the changes?
Yes, delete the registry key you added and restart Explorer or your PC.
3. Do third-party tools affect system stability?
Generally no, but always use trusted apps like Winaero Tweaker or ExplorerPatcher.
4. Does this change affect all users on the PC?
The registry method affects only the current user. Other accounts will retain default behavior.
5. Is there a shortcut to open full right-click options without changing settings?
Yes, press Shift + F10 after right-clicking a file or folder.