How to Customize the Context Menu in Windows 11

With the launch of Windows 11, Microsoft introduced a whole new design language to our beloved desktop OS. From the new widgets to the centered start menu and updated icons, there's a lot to like about the new Windows 11 interface. However, one major change that not everyone is a fan of is the revamped context menu. While it does provide a cleaner look, some users prefer the old context menu from Windows 10. If you're one of them, don't worry! There are ways to customize and switch back to the old context menu in Windows 11. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to disable or enable the new context menu in Windows 11.

Disable the New Context Menu in Windows 11 File Explorer

To revert to the old context menu in the File Explorer of Windows 11, you can make some adjustments in the Folder Options. Here's what you need to do:

  1. Press the Windows key + E to open the File Explorer.
  2. Click on the three-dot menu icon at the top and select “Options” from the list.
    File Explorer in Windows 11
  3. In the Folder Options window, switch to the “View” tab.
  4. Under “Advanced settings,” scroll down and check the “Launch folder windows in a separate process” option.
  5. Click on “Apply” and “OK”.

Once you've done this, the File Explorer will close and relaunch with the old interface and the old context menu.

Enable the New Context Menu in Windows 11 File Explorer

If you decide to switch back to the new File Explorer and the new context menu in Windows 11, follow these steps:

  1. Open the File Explorer.
  2. Switch to the “View” tab and click on “Options”.
  3. In the Folder Options window, under the “View” tab, uncheck the “Launch folder windows in a separate process” option.
  4. Click on “Apply” and “OK”.

The File Explorer will restart automatically, and you'll have the new File Explorer and the new context menu.

Switch to the Old Context Menu in Windows 11

If you want to get the old context menu back across the entire system, you'll need to make changes in the Windows Registry. Here's how:

  1. Open the Start menu, type in “Regedit”, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  2. In the address bar at the top, type in the following address to navigate to the required key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlFeatureManagementOverrides4.
  3. Right-click on the registry key “4” on the left sidebar and choose “Key > New”. Name the key as “586118283”.
  4. Inside the “586118283” key, right-click anywhere in the right window-pane and choose “New > DWORD (32-bit) Value”. Name it “EnabledState”.
  5. Double click on the “EnabledState” DWORD file and change its value to 1. Click “OK”.
  6. Repeat the same process to create the following DWORDs:
    • “EnabledStateOptions” = dword:00000001
    • “Variant” = dword:00000000
    • “VariantPayload” = dword:00000000
    • “VariantPayloadKind” = dword:00000000
  7. Once done, restart your PC to apply the changes.

By following these steps, you'll have the old context menu from Windows 10 back in Windows 11.

Windows 11 and its new design language may take some time to get used to, but with these customization options, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Whether you prefer the old or new context menu, Windows 11 allows you to personalize your experience.

Also Read: How to Get Windows 10 Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 11