How to Get the Old Context Menus Back in Windows 11

In this guide, you’ll learn how to enable the classic context menu in Windows 11 using system tools or a free third-party utility. You can also customize the new context menu with your own options.

Windows 11 Context Menu Changes

Windows 11 features a redesigned right-click menu for files and folders. The legacy menu is still accessible via “Show more options” or the Shift+F10 shortcut. However, you can force the classic menu to appear by default.

Method 1: Enable Classic Menu via Registry Editor

Follow these steps to disable the new menu and restore the classic version:

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Press Win+R, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID

3. Check if this subkey exists:

{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}

4. If not, right-click CLSID > New > Key and name it {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}.

5. Inside this key, create another subkey named InprocServer32.

6. Double-click the (Default) value in InprocServer32, leave it empty, and click OK.

Apply Changes

Restart File Explorer via Task Manager or reboot your PC. After that, when you right-click on the elements of the explorer and the Windows 11 desktop

Method 2: Create a REG File for Classic Menu

Automate the Process

Create a .reg file with this content:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32] @=""

Or run this command in an Admin Command Prompt:

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

Revert to Default

Delete the registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}

Warning: This may reset desktop icons/wallpapers. Reboot to fix.

Method 3: Use Windows 11 Classic Context Menu Tool

Free Third-Party Utility

1. Download Windows 11 Classic Context Menu (scroll down for the download button).

2. If blocked by SmartScreen, click More Info > Run Anyway.

3. Click Enable Win11 Classic Context Menu Style.

Finalize Settings

After the window turns green, click Restart Explorer.

To revert, select Enable Win11 Default Context Menu Style.