How to Change the Right-Click Menu in Windows 11

Quick Tips

• Use tools like Registry Editor or third-party apps to add custom items to your right-click menu.
• Rearrange the order of items or group similar options together for a more organized right-click menu.
• Simplify the customization process with user-friendly third-party applications like Easy Context Menu.

How to Change the Right-Click Menu in Windows 11

Method 1: Using Registry Editor

Step 1: Firstly, press the Windows key, type Registry Editor, and click Run as administrator.

In the prompt, select Yes.

Step 2: In the top address bar, enter the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID

Note: You can manually navigate to the section too.

Step 3: Once the path opens, right-click and select New > Key.

This will create a new key on the left panel.

Step 4: Once done, rename the key with the following:

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

Step 5: Select the newly-created key. Then, right-click on the right panel and choose New > Key.

Step 6: Now, rename the newly created key to the name below;

InprocServer32

Step 7: Select the newly created InprocServer32 folder. On the right pane, double-click on Default.

Step 8: Finally, keep the Value Data field empty and hit the OK button.

That’s it. Now, all you need to do is restart your Windows 11 laptop/PC to be welcomed by the old context menu. However, if you want to bring back the new context menu, just delete the InprocServer32 key from the registry editor.

If the steps are too complicated to follow, move on to the next one.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

Step 1: Press the Windows key, type Command Prompt and click Run as administrator.

Step 2: Now, type or copy-paste the following command and hit Enter:

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

This simple action will add both keys in the correct sequence. And that’s about it. Reboot your PC to implement the changes. Once it boots back up, you will see the old menu when you right-click on your PC.

Also Read: How to show seconds on Windows 11 clock

How to Add or Remove Menu Options to the Right-Click Menu

Note: You can add only apps and not folders and files. For the latter, you have to take the aid of the Taskbar.

Method 1: Using Registry Editor

Step 1: Firstly, open the Registry Editor and navigate to the path below:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell

Step 2: Right-click on the right panel, choose New and select Key.

Step 3: Name the key as Notepad.

Step 2: Under the Notepad key on the right pane, double-click on Default.

Step 3: Double-click on Default and add &Notepad under Value data.

Step 4: Select the newly created key and right-click again to add a new key underneath the Notepad folder. Rename it as command.

Step 5: Under the Command key on the right pane, double-click on Default.

Step 5: Finally, in the Edit String, under Value data, enter the below command and click OK.

Notepad.exe

Head back to the desktop and right-click to see the new values in the context menu. If you, however, change your mind and want to remove an app from the right-click menu in Windows 11, follow the above steps and remove the entries under the Shell folder.

You can also add the apps directly to the right-click menu in Windows 11 without reverting to the old menu. The only limitation is that they will be available only when you click on Show more options.

If the steps are too long for you to follow, check out the next method.

Method 2: Using Third Party Tool

For this demonstration, we will go with the Easy Context Menu tool. Follow the below steps.

Step 1: Firstly, go to the Easy Context Menu’s official site from your preferred browser on Windows 11.

Step 2: Scroll down and click the Download button.

Step 3: Extract the file and double-click on the application to launch.

Note: The app is portable, so you don’t need to install it on your PC.

The tool will display a list of tools and settings you can add to your right-click context menu.

Step 4: Scroll through the options and check the box next to them if you want to include them in your right-click menu.

Step 4: Finally, once you have selected all the options you need, click Apply Changes.

There you have it. You have successfully customized the context menu on your Windows 11 PC. If you have any queries we missed addressing, check out the FAQ section below.

FAQs on Customizing the Right-Click Menu in Windows 11

Now that you know how to change the right-click menu in Windows 11, you can customize it as per your requirements and put the frequently used apps and options over there, thus enhancing your Windows experience.