When Microsoft launched Windows 11, one of the most noticeable changes was the right-click context menu. Instead of showing the full classic menu, Windows 11 displays a simplified version with only the most common options. To access the complete set of commands, you have to click “Show more options” or press Shift + F10.
While this design is sleek, many users find it inconvenient. If you’re one of them, the good news is you can restore the classic menu to appear by default. In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you exactly how to do it.
Why Windows 11 Hides the Full Context Menu
Microsoft redesigned the context menu for three reasons:
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Cleaner look: Less clutter for casual users.
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Consistency: A modern style aligned with Windows 11’s design.
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Developer-friendly: Apps must adopt new context menu APIs.
But for power users, having to click “Show more options” every single time feels like an extra, unnecessary step.
Methods to Show More Options by Default
There are two main ways to bring back the classic menu:
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Using Registry Editor (manual method).
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Using third-party tools (easy method).
Step 1: Back Up Your System
Before making changes, it’s always smart to create a System Restore Point:
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Search Create a restore point in the Start menu.
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Open it and click Create.
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Name it something like Before Context Menu Tweak.
This ensures you can roll back if anything goes wrong.
Step 2: Restore Classic Menu via Registry Editor
This method makes the classic context menu appear by default.
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Press Win + R, type
regedit, and hit Enter. -
Navigate to this location:
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Right-click CLSID > New > Key.
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Name the key:
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Inside it, create another subkey named:
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Open the (Default) entry inside
InprocServer32. -
Leave the value data blank and click OK.
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Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.
👉 Now, when you right-click, the classic context menu (with all options) will show immediately — no extra clicks needed.
Step 3: Revert Back to Default Windows 11 Menu
If you change your mind and want the modern Windows 11 menu back:
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Open Registry Editor again.
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Go to:
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Delete the key:
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Restart your PC.
Now, the modern simplified menu will return.
Step 4: Use Third-Party Tools (Alternative Method)
If you don’t want to mess with the registry, tools like:
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Winaero Tweaker
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Explorer Patcher
allow you to toggle the classic menu with just a click. These are especially useful if you want other Windows 11 tweaks too.
Pros and Cons of Restoring Classic Context Menu
✅ Pros
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Saves time (no extra clicks).
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Restores familiarity from Windows 10.
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Easier access to third-party app options.
❌ Cons
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Requires registry editing (risk if done wrong).
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Windows Updates may reset the tweak.
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The modern menu looks cleaner for casual users.
Troubleshooting
Issue: Menu didn’t change after restart
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Double-check that the InprocServer32 key exists and is empty.
Issue: Windows Update removed the tweak
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Reapply the registry modification.
Issue: Menu looks buggy
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Delete the registry key and restart to restore the default.
Conclusion
The redesigned right-click menu in Windows 11 looks modern, but the extra click to access all options frustrates many users. Luckily, with a simple registry edit (or a third-party tool), you can restore the classic context menu and make “Show more options” the default.
It’s like switching from a tiny pocket toolbox back to your full workbench — everything you need is right there, ready to use.
FAQs
Q1. Can I permanently enable “Show more options” in Windows 11?
Yes, by editing the registry or using tools like Explorer Patcher.
Q2. Is it safe to edit the registry?
Yes, if you follow instructions carefully. Always create a restore point first.
Q3. Will this tweak survive Windows Updates?
Sometimes updates reset the context menu. You may need to reapply the tweak.
Q4. Do I need admin rights to make this change?
Yes, you’ll need administrator access to edit the registry.
Q5. Can I switch between classic and modern menus easily?
Yes, you can enable or disable the registry tweak anytime.