Missing the Old Right-Click Menu in Windows 11? Here’s How to Get it Back!

Do you miss the old right click menu from previous versions of Windows on your new Windows 11 computer? If so, you are not alone. Windows 11’s simplified context menu may take some getting used to, especially if you’re used to the more robust options available in previous versions of Windows.

However, there are a few ways to bring back the old context menu experience on your Windows 11 device. Here is a quick step-by-step guide to access the old right-click menu in Windows 11:

• Use shift +Right-Click

• Access from the menu by:  Right-click on a file or folder

• In the new menu, click on “Show more options” located at the bottom

In this post, we’ll explore step-by-step methods to replace the modern context menu with the classic context menu, complete with all your favorite context menu options and utilities.

Whether you’re a power user who relies on specific right-click tools or simply prefer the familiar look of the legacy Windows context menu, we’ve got you covered.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to customize your right-click experience in Windows 11 to best suit your workflow and preferences.  

How to get old right click menu in Windows 11 ?  

To restore the old right-click context menu in Windows 11, you can follow these methods:

Using Shift + Right Click (Simple Method)

This is the quickest and easiest way to get to the above menu. That is how:

• Firstly, navigate to the file or folder you want to access options for.

• Secondly, hold down the Shift key on your keyboard.

• Then, while holding down the Shift key, right-click the file or folder.

• Finally, this will skip the new menu and directly display the classic context menu with all the familiar options.

Accessing from the New Menu

The new menu offers a way to access old options within itself. That is how:

• First, right click on the desired file or folder.

• Then, in the new menu that appears, locate the “Show more options” option at the bottom. (This may be slightly hidden depending on your screen resolution.)

• Next, clicking “Show more options” will expand the menu to reveal the classic context menu with all its functionality.

Make the old menu default (advanced)

However, this method involves editing the system registry file. Editing the registry can be risky if done incorrectly, so proceed with caution. It is recommended to create a system restore point before making any changes: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-a-system-restore-point-77e02e2a-3298-c869-9974-ef5658ea3be9

Here’s how to modify the registry file to return the old menu to the default:

• Firstly, find “Command Prompt” in the Start menu.

• Secondly, right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”

• Then, type the following command exactly as it appears and press Enter: reg add “HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32” /f /ve

• Finally, restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Note: If you encounter any problems after making registry changes, you can use the system restore point created above to roll back your system to a stable state.

Edit the registry directly

First, watch the video for your convenience and then follow the below mentioned steps to edit the registry directly:

• First, open the Start menu in Windows 11.

• Next, search for regedit in the address bar and click the top result to open Registry Editor.

• Then, navigate to the following route: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID

• After that, right click on the CLSID key, select the New menu and choose the Key option.

• Now, name the key {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} and press Enter.

• Next, right click on the newly created key, select the New menu and choose the Key option.

• Then, name the key InprocServer32 and press Enter.

• After that, double-click the newly created key and set its value to blank (null) to enable the classic right-click context menu.

• Them, click the OK button.

• Finally, restart your computer.

Also Check: How to move taskbar to left in Windows 11 ?

How to disable the new context menus in Windows 11 ?

There is no built-in way to completely disable the new context menu or the modern menu in Windows 11. However, here are three methods to minimize its presence and prioritize the classic menu:

Using Shift + Right Click

This is the quickest and easiest way to skip the new menu entirely. That is how:

• Firstly, navigate to the file or folder you want to access options for.

• Secondly, hold down the Shift key on your keyboard.

• Finally, while holding down the Shift key, right-click the file or folder.

This will directly display the legacy right-click context menu, eliminating the need to interact with the new one.

Also Check: How to fix system service exception in Windows 11 ?

Modify the Registry with a .reg File

However, this method involves editing the registry using a pre-made downloadable file. Editing the registry can be risky if done incorrectly, so proceed with caution. It is recommended to create a system restore point before making any changes: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-a-system-restore-point-77e02e2a-3298-c869-9974-ef5658ea3be9

Here’s how to use a .reg file:

• First, search online for “Disable Windows 11 new context menu .reg file”. Make sure you download the file from a trusted website.

• Next, download the .reg file.

• Then, double-click the downloaded .reg file.

• After that, you will probably see messages requesting confirmation to merge the information into your record. Click Yes (to request UAC) and Yes (to confirm the merge).

• Finally, you may need to restart your computer or restart the browser process for the changes to take effect.

Restart the Explorer process

• Firstly, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc).

• Secondly, click the “Details” tab.

• Then, locate “explorer.exe”.

• After that, right click on “explorer.exe” and select “End Task.”

• Next, click “File” > “Run New Task.”

• Finally, in the new window, type “explorer.exe” and press Enter. This will restart the File Explorer process.  

Also Check: Fix PC dosen’t meet requirements for Windows 11 but it does

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you are missing the old right click menu in Windows 11, there are some easy ways to get it back. To begin, the quickest method is to simply hold down the Shift key while right-clicking.

This will bypass the new simplified menu and show you the familiar, full-featured context menu.

Next, for a more permanent solution, you can modify the Windows registry to make the above menu the default. However, be careful when editing the registry entry as it can be risky if done incorrectly.

In fact, it’s always a good idea to create a system restore point first. Ultimately, with a few simple steps, you can customize your Windows 11 experience and bring back the context menu you’re most comfortable with.

Reference:

Frequently Asked Question’s (FAQ’s)