Windows 11 – Customize Your Right-Click Explorer Menu and Make Show More the Default

Reclaiming Your Right-Click: Customizing the Windows Explorer Context Menu

The right-click context menu in Windows 11 has undergone some significant changes. Microsoft redesigned this menu to be more streamlined and touch-friendly, removing certain advanced options that power users often relied on. But just because the default menu is lacking doesn’t mean you have to settle. With a few simple tweaks, you can customize the Windows Explorer right-click menu and restore it to its former glory.

Understanding the New Context Menu

At first glance, the refreshed context menu looks clean and uncluttered. But peer a little closer, and you’ll notice that many of the advanced menu items are now tucked away under the "Show more options" link at the very bottom. Options like "Open Command Window Here," "Copy as Path," and "Open with" are no longer visible by default.

What happened to file explorer in Windows 11?

The File Explorer in Windows 11 has been through a rough time. The redesign displaced familiar features; t he right-click menu was truncated, and so were the options in the ribbons menu. A couple of updates later, things have improved and Windows 11 finally added tab support in File Explorer.

Does Windows 11 have a File Explorer alternative?

An endlessly customizable File Explorer alternative awaits. The File Explorer in Windows 11 has been through a rough time. The redesign displaced familiar features; t he right-click menu was truncated, and so were the options in the ribbons menu.

For touchscreen users and computing newcomers, this simplified menu makes perfect sense. The average user doesn’t need quick access to niche power user functions. But for experienced PC enthusiasts who right-click compulsively, this design choice is an annoyance. Thankfully, with the registry hacks and third-party tools outlined below, we can tailor the right-click menu to our exact specifications.

Method 1: Exposing Hidden Options

The easiest way to see more options by default is by digging into the registry editor. Now before you break out in a cold sweat, this isn’t nearly as harrowing as it sounds. Just follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Type "regedit" and press Enter.

2. Navigate toHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\ShellFolder

3. Right click on ShellFolder and select Permissions > Advanced.

4. Click Change and enter "Administrators" in the object name field. Check Names.

5. Select Administrators under Group or User Names. Check Allow for Full Control. Click OK.

6. Double click on Attributes and change the Value Data to f080004d

   Does Windows 11 have a photo gallery view?

   The File Explorer was mostly left alone on Windows 8 and 10, but it has received a few major updates on Windows 11. Microsoft is now working on another improvement: a photo gallery view. Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23435 is now rolling out to Windows Insider testers in the Dev Channel, and it includes a new gallery view in the File Explorer.

   What happens if I restart Windows 11?

   After you restart Windows 11, you will no longer have compact context menus on Windows 11. If you right a file, folder, or the Desktop background, you will see the full context menu instantly. For your convenience, there is also an undo file in the archive named Restore default context menus in Windows 11.reg.

7. Click OK, close Regedit, and reboot.

After restarting, you’ll see handy power user menu options like "Open Command Window Here" without having to click "Show more options." It’s a subtle but meaningful quality of life improvement.

Method 2: Restoring the Classic Context Menu

If you want to go whole hog and revert completely back to the Windows 10-style right-click menu, that’s also possible with another quick registry edit. Just follow these steps:

1. Open Regedit again by pressing Windows + R and typing "regedit."

2. Navigate toHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InProcServer32

3. Double click on Default and change the Value Data to%SystemRoot%\system32\Windows.Storage.ApplicationData.dll

4. Restart your PC.

After rebooting, you’ll be greeted with the familiar classic context menu, complete with all the additional options you know and love. It’s like turning back the clock on the Windows 11 upgrade.

Method 3: Customizing Via the Command Line

You can also add or remove individual items from the right-click menu using the command prompt. This is an advanced approach that offers granular control. Follow these steps:

Does Windows 11 have a new Explorer?

Yes, Windows 11 has a new file explorer with updated UI in sync with the Windows 11 UI. The names on the menu bar are replaced with icons. The context menu is down-sized with icons and few options. The new Explorer is an advanced version of Windows 10 explorer in terms of its look. How do I change the context menu in Windows 11?

How to change Windows 10 menu in Windows 11?

Right-click to bring up the standard Windows 11 context menu and select the Show more options entry at the end. You can also use the Shift + F10 keyboard shortcut. You can also edit the Windows Registry to customize the right-click menu to a certain extent. You can bring the Windows 10 menu back or add custom menu items.

Does Windows 11 delete a folder in the right-click context menu?

Compared to Windows 10, Windows 11 has not deleted any entries in the right-click context menu. There are many commands specific to folders, files, and applications that are now bundled together under “Show more options” or the shortcut Shift + F10. Once you click there, the additional options can easily be accessed as a second step.

How to enable full context menus in Windows 11?

You can enable the classic full context menus in Windows 11 using two. By default, the OS shows shorten menus with only a few items, but it is easy to disable this feature and restore the full menus that do not require clicking on More options. Windows 11 introduced drastic changes to the user interface.

1. Open a Command Prompt window as Administrator.

2. Typereg add "HKCR\*\shell\MyNewMenuOption" /t REG_SZ /v "" /d "My New Menu Option"and press Enter to add a new menu item.

3. Typereg add "HKCR\*\shell\MyNewMenuOption\command" /t REG_SZ /v "" /d"C:\path\to\your\program.exe %1"and press Enter to add a command to your new menu item.

4. To remove an item, typereg delete "HKCR\*\shell\MyNewMenuOption" /f

By tweaking the registry in this manner, you can fully customize the right-click menu with the commands and programs you actually use. The sky’s the limit when scripting directly to the Windows Registry.

Alternative: Third-Party Context Menu Tools

If diving into the registry sounds intimidating, consider using a third-party context menu utility instead. Programs like Winaero Tweaker and Easy Context Menu make it easy to add, remove, and edit items with a simple GUI. You can also backup and restore your custom configurations.

How do I get the best out of Windows 11 File Explorer?

Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the best out of Windows 11 File Explorer. Start using Explorer as a power user! Customize the Target Folder for File Explorer. Show Recycle Bin in the Sidebar. Customize Folder Layout. Remove Recent Files History. Customize Folder Thumbnail. Show Preview Pane. Share Files directly from File Explorer.

How to create a new file in Windows 11?

File Explorer in the new Windows 11 now lets you create a new file from the right-click context menu. You can create Text, Bitmap image, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Word Document, Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation, and more files in File Explorer. Open File Explorer and go to the folder where you want to create a new file.

Does Windows 11 have a full right-click menu?

Many users find the new right-click menu in Windows 11 too cumbersome, especially those who are used to the old context menu in Windows 10 and are eager to revert to the full right-click menu of the old version. If you also have this need, please read the following in detail to learn how to restore the full right-click menu.

For most users, these tools provide the perfect blend of convenience and customizability. And there are plenty of free options available, so you can tweak your right-click menu without spending a dime.

Take Control of Your Context Menu

Don’t settle for the underwhelming default right-click options in Windows 11. With a couple registry tweaks or a third-party context menu utility, you can unlock advanced functionality and take back control. Use the techniques outlined here to perfectly customize your Windows Explorer context menu. Your future self will thank you every time you right click.

What clever context menu hacks have you discovered? Share your insights and favorite tools below!

References

1. https://allthings.how/how-to-show-more-options-by-default-in-windows-11-file-explorer/
2. https://www.minitool.com/news/disable-show-more-options-windows-11.html