The evolution of Windows has brought forth many changes, and with the release of Windows 11, users encountered a modified context menu. A context menu is essentially a pop-up menu designed to offer users a set of quick action shortcuts, anticipating their next move. Triggered with a simple right mouse click in the Windows environment, this menu has been a staple in the user experience for years. In Windows 11, the classic context menu is not entirely gone. By selecting “Show more options” at the menu’s bottom, it springs to life. However, if you’re nostalgic for the Windows 10 style or find the modern context menu cumbersome, there’s good news. By employing a simple Windows registry hack, you can revert to the classic context menu and bypass the newer version altogether. And it’s worth noting that the method of accessing context menus varies depending on the device, the OS, and the input method. Whether through keystrokes, touch gestures, or even a trackball, users can still access these handy menus. But, if the changes in Windows 11’s context menu aren’t to your liking, keep reading. In this risewindows guide, we’ll take you step by step on how to bring back the traditional context menu you’ve grown accustomed to.
How to Get the Old Context Menus Back on Windows 11?
Follow the below-given steps to get the old context menus like Windows 10 on Windows 11:-
Step 1. First, open Registry Editor.
To open Registry Editor, click on the Search button on the taskbar.
In the Windows search box at the top, type registry.
Click the Registry Editor entry to open it in the available search results. Then, the Registry Editor window will open.
Step 2. When the Registry Editor window opens, browse or navigate to the following registry key in the left sidebar:-
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID
Step 3. Then, right-click on the “CLSID” key and select New > Key, then paste the following as the key name:-
{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}
Step 4. Right-click on the newly created key {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} and again select New > Key. Name this new key InprocServer32.
Step 5. After that, highlight InprocServer32 by clicking it on the left sidebar. On the right-side pane, you will see the “(Default)” string—Double-click the “(Default)” string to open it. Then, click the OK button without making any changes. The value entered will be blank instead of “(value not set).”
Step 6. Once it is complete, close the Registry Editor window.
Step 7. Finally, restart your computer to apply the changes.
When you right-click in File Explorer, you will see only the classic context menu. No more modern right-click menu will be available.
That’s it.
How to Restore Windows 11 Modern Context Menus?
Follow these steps to restore Windows 11 Modern Context Menus:-
Step 1. Firstly, open the Registry Editor.
Step 2. Now, navigate to the following path in the left sidebar when the Registry Editor window:-
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}
Step 3. Then, right-click on the highlighted key and select the Delete option from the context menu.
Step 4. Afterward, when prompted, select the Yes button.
Step 5. Lastly, reboot your PC to apply the changes.
Now, the modern context menu is back on Windows 11.
Conclusion
Windows 11 brought with it a slew of changes, including a revamped context menu. For those who prefer the traditional context menu from Windows 10, there is a way to revert to that style using a simple registry hack. This guide provides detailed steps on both how to switch back to the classic context menu and how to restore the modern menu if needed. Whether you’re a fan of the new design or nostalgic for the old, Windows provides flexibility for users to customize their experience.
