How to Restore the Classic Right-Click Context Menu in Windows 11

Windows 11 replaced the old full right-click menu with a simplified context menu that hides many options under Show more options. If you prefer the classic menu, you can bring it back with a quick Registry change.

What Causes This?

This happens because Windows 11 uses a newer context menu design in File Explorer. Microsoft changed how shell extensions and right-click actions are displayed, which can make common options feel buried or slower to access. In some cases, third-party shell extensions also add clutter, making the new menu even less convenient.

Common Symptoms

• Right-clicking a file or folder only shows a short menu
• You have to click Show more options to see familiar actions
• Older app options only appear in the classic menu
• The right-click menu feels slower or less useful than in Windows 10
• File Explorer context menus look cluttered or inconsistent

How to Fix It Manually

1. Open Windows Terminal or Command Prompt as Administrator

   • Click Start
   • Type cmd
   • Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator
   • Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control

2. Add the Registry key that restores the classic menu

   • Copy and paste this command into the window:

   reg.exe add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f /ve

   • Press Enter
   • You should see a message saying the operation completed successfully

3. Restart File Explorer

   • Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager
   • If Task Manager opens in compact view, click More details
   • Find Windows Explorer under the Processes tab
   • Right-click it and select Restart

4. Test the right-click menu

   • Open File Explorer
   • Right-click a file, folder, or the desktop
   • The classic full context menu should now appear immediately

5. If it doesn’t change, sign out and back in

   • Click Start > your profile picture > Sign out
   • Sign back into Windows and test again

6. To undo the change later, remove the Registry key

   • Open Command Prompt as Administrator again
   • Run this command:

   reg.exe delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}" /f

   • Restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager

7. Optional: check for shell extension clutter

   • If the classic menu appears but is overloaded with extra entries, the issue may be caused by installed apps adding right-click items
   • Review recently installed utilities, archive tools, cloud sync apps, and media editors that may have added menu entries

Fix It Automatically with Kudu

Kudu can help streamline this automatically by identifying shell-related clutter and other Explorer annoyances that affect right-click behavior. It’s a simpler option if you don’t want to edit the Registry yourself or if your context menu is bloated by third-party extensions.

Download Kudu Free →