How to Get the Old Context Menu Back in Windows 11

Windows 11 has impressed many with its revamped user interface and new features. However, not everyone is thrilled about the changes – particularly the new context menu that appears with a right-click. Many users prefer the functionality and design of the old menu from Windows 10.

In this blog post, we’ll show you how to restore the old context menu in Windows 11.

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Why the Old Context Menu?

The new context menu in Windows 11 was designed for easier navigation and a modern look. However, it displays fewer options at first glance and often requires additional clicks to select “Show more options.” For power users who frequently access advanced functions, this can feel inefficient. The old menu brings back all the familiar functions without extra steps.

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Method 1: Use “Show More Options”

The simplest but least convenient method is to manually select “Show more options” in the new context menu every time (or use the keyboard shortcut Shift + F10). This temporarily brings up the classic menu but is not a permanent solution and can disrupt your workflow.

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Method 2: Registry Tweak for the Old Context Menu

To permanently restore the old context menu, you can use the Windows Registry Editor. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Warning:

Editing the registry can impact your system if done incorrectly. Create a backup of your registry or a system restore point as a precaution.

Steps:

1. Open the Registry Editor:
   Press Windows + R, type regedit, and click OK.
2. Navigate to the Key:
   Go to the following path:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID
3. Create a New Key:
   • Right-click on CLSID and select New > Key.
   • Name the new key as follows:{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}
4. Add a Subkey:
   • Right-click on the new key and select New > Key.
   • Name this subkey as:InprocServer32
5. Set the Default Value:
   • Select the InprocServer32 key and double-click on the default value in the right pane.
   • Leave the data field blank and click OK.
6. Close the Registry Editor and Restart Your PC:
   After making the changes, restart your computer to apply them.

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Method 3: Use Third-Party Tools

There are also third-party tools available that can restore the old context menu in Windows 11 without manually editing the registry. Here are some popular options:

• ExplorerPatcher: A tool that customizes not just the context menu but other aspects of the Windows 11 Explorer.
• StartAllBack: A comprehensive solution that restores several Windows 10 elements in Windows 11.

The advantage of these tools is that they are user-friendly and require little technical knowledge. However, make sure to download them from trusted sources.

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Conclusion

The new context menu in Windows 11 is modern and minimalist, but not everyone finds it intuitive. Fortunately, there are several ways to bring back the old context menu – from simple workarounds to registry tweaks or third-party software.

Try the method that best suits your needs and enjoy the familiar functionality!

Author: Andreas Stroebel / ChatGPT

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