How to Restore the Classic Context Menu in Windows 11

If you’ve upgraded to Windows 11, you may have noticed that the right-click context menu looks quite different from what you were used to in previous versions of Windows. Many users, myself included, find the new Windows 11 context menu less intuitive and sometimes inconvenient. The good news is: you can easily restore the classic context menu with a simple registry tweak.

Why Restore the Old Context Menu?

The updated Windows 11 context menu is streamlined, but it hides some options behind the “Show more options” button, which can slow down workflow. For users who frequently rely on right-click shortcuts like “Copy,” “Paste,” “Rename,” and “Properties,” the classic context menu is more efficient.

The new design prioritizes aesthetics over functionality, making common tasks require an extra click. This can be frustrating for power users and anyone who values speed and efficiency in their daily computing tasks.

Step-by-Step Guide to Restore the Classic Menu

Follow these steps carefully to bring back the familiar Windows 10-style right-click menu:

Step 1: Open Windows Terminal

Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal
Make sure you run it as your regular user—administrator privileges are not required for this tweak

Step 2: Enter the Registry Command

Copy and paste the following command into the Windows Terminal window and press Enter:

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

Step 3: Restart File Explorer

After running the command, you’ll need to restart File Explorer for the changes to take effect. You can do this by:

Opening Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)
Finding “Windows Explorer” in the Processes tab
Right-clicking it and selecting “Restart”

Alternatively, you can simply restart your computer.

Step 4: Enjoy Your Classic Context Menu

Once File Explorer restarts, you should see the legacy right-click context menu by default. All your familiar options like “Copy,” “Paste,” “Rename,” “Properties,” and more will be immediately visible without needing to click “Show more options.”

What This Registry Tweak Does

The registry command you’re running creates a specific key that tells Windows 11 to use the classic context menu instead of the new streamlined version. This is a safe modification that only affects the context menu display and doesn’t change any core system functionality.

Reverting the Changes

If you ever want to go back to the Windows 11 context menu, you can simply delete the registry key you created:

reg.exe delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}" /f

Safety Notes

This registry modification is safe and widely used by the Windows community
It only affects the current user account
No system files are modified
The change can be easily reversed if needed

Alternative Solutions

If you prefer not to modify the registry, there are third-party applications available that can restore the classic context menu. However, the registry method is the most direct and doesn’t require installing additional software.

Conclusion

The Windows 11 context menu redesign was intended to modernize the user experience, but for many users, it actually makes common tasks more cumbersome. With this simple registry tweak, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: the modern Windows 11 interface with the efficient classic context menu you’re familiar with.

This solution has been tested and used by countless Windows 11 users worldwide, making it a reliable way to customize your Windows experience to better suit your workflow preferences.

Have you tried this registry tweak? Let us know in the comments below how it worked for you!