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Disable the New Context Menu on Windows 11 in 3 Steps
A comprehensive guide to help you get rid of the Context Menu
4 min. read
Updated onAugust 14, 2024
updated onAugust 14, 2024
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Key notes
Windows 11 OS has great featuresand an interesting design. It also brought different context menus, but although they seem to be better, they confused a lot of users.
That’s why many want to disable the new context menu and revert to the old one from Windows 10.
We have written a fullWindows 11 build reviewso you can read all about these changes, but now, let’s see how we can get back the menus we’re used to.
How can I manage the new context menu in Windows 11?
1. Revert File Explorer to the old look
Of course, if you change your mind and want to have the new File Explorer, all you need to do is to get back into the Registry Editor and delete the key you’ve created.
You can also use Registry Editor toremove apps from the context menuas well, to know how to remove apps like Clipchamp, Photos, and Paint 3D.
2. Show more options
As we’ve noticed from a lot of other features, Microsoft kept all the menus from Windows 10 either dormant or accessible. It goes the same for the old context menus, which are still present, without you needing to do much work.
You need to select theShow more optionsfeature in any context menu, and it will bring the old menu back.
If you want to activate this feature quickly, you can also use theShift+F10shortcut used earlier to open the Windows 11 classic context menu. So, if you do not wish to turn off the context menus altogether, you can make them look like the old ones.
Also, if you want to have Windows 11Show more optionsby default, there’s currently no quick setting.
3. Disable the new context menu
Users who want to completely disable the new context menu can do so using the Local Group Policy Editor. It’s not available in theHomeedition of the OS, but users can easilyinstall the Group Policy Editor in Windows.
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PressWindows+Rto openRun, typegpedit.msc, and hitEnter.
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Under theUser Configurationtab, expandAdministrative Templates, and selectWindows Components.
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SelectFile Explorerfrom the left, and then click on theRemove File Explorer’s default context menupolicy.
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SelectDisabled, and click onOKto save the changes.
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If these don’t reflect right away, restart the computer.
Less cluttered context menus in Windows 11
As you can see, the new context menus are much less cluttered and easier to work with because they are simpler.
Only the fact that theCut,Copy,Rename, andDeleteoptions have been transformed into small icons that sit at the top of the context menu makes things a lot cleaner.
However, we can also understand users who say they are too small and should be transformed into bigger targets to click on for more efficiency.
We hope you managed to get the context menus sorted out and you’re happy with your decision, whatever that would be.
If you want to customize your experience further, don’t hesitate to take a closer look at our guide tochange Windows 11 to classic viewor our article on how to restore theold right-click menu in Windows 11.
Besides, if you were wondering how do Ichange the Start Menu view in Windows 11, several customizations are available in WindowsSettings, including pinned apps, adding or removing folders, and recommendations, amongst others.
Speaking of the context menu, did you know that there is a way toremove Windows Media Player from the context menu? We have an entire article dedicated to it, so don’t miss it.
What do you think about the new context menus? Tell us all about that in the comments section below.
More about the topics:Windows 11
Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, Claudiu is focused on whatever comes new from Microsoft.
His abrupt interest in computers started when he saw the first Home Computer as a kid. However, his passion for Windows and everything related became obvious when he became a sys admin in a computer science high school.
With 14 years of experience in writing about everything there is to know about science and technology, Claudiu also likes rock music, chilling in the garden, and Star Wars. May the force be with you, always!
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Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, with 14 years of experience in writing on everything there is to know about science, technology, and Microsoft
