Windows 11 has introduced quite a few visual changes—sleeker corners, smoother animations, and of course, the redesigned right-click context menu. While Microsoft intended it to look cleaner and more modern, many users quickly discovered that the new experience felt… well, incomplete. Icons missing, common options buried under "Show more options," and an extra click needed for even the simplest tasks.
If you're one of the many people who prefer the old, full-featured context menu, you're not alone. Thankfully, reverting to the classic right-click menu is still possible, and doing it is much easier than you might think. In this article, we'll walk through how to restore the old File Explorer context menu, why users are reverting, and why this change matters more than you might expect.
Why Windows 11's New Right-Click Menu Frustrates Users
Microsoft tried to modernize File Explorer with a minimalistic context menu that highlights only the most common options. Unfortunately, the execution left much to be desired.
Most people rely on context menus for quick tasks—copying paths, zipping files, scanning with antivirus, opening PowerShell windows, and more. But in the new menu, many of these options are intentionally hidden under "Show more options." This forces users into an extra click every… single… time.
Developers, IT professionals, content creators, and heavy users felt the pain immediately. Tools like WinRAR, 7-Zip, Git, Visual Studio Code, or antivirus right-click actions do not appear upfront unless you open the legacy menu manually.
Some apps show context menu actions in the old menu, some in the new one, and some in both. This inconsistency makes the UI feel fragmented and confusing.
When something you do 50 times a day suddenly becomes slower by one or two clicks, productivity takes a hit—no matter how small the change seems.
Because of all this, a significant portion of Windows users prefer the old context menu for speed, familiarity, and efficiency.
Why Reverting to the Old Menu Still Matters
Even in 2025, many users continue to reverse the new context menu because:
Speed = Productivity
The classic menu was direct and predictable. Every command showed up immediately without the need to expand anything. Less clicking, less waiting, more doing.
Compatibility With Third-Party Tools
Many apps add context menu features, but Microsoft's new design forces them behind a secondary layer. Restoring the classic menu brings them back to the front where they belong.
Muscle Memory
People who have used Windows for 10, 15, or even 20 years instinctively move toward the old menu structure. Breaking muscle memory slows down workflows and causes unnecessary frustration.
A Sense of Control
Windows 11 changed many things without asking users. Being able to revert something as frequently used as the right-click menu gives users a sense of familiarity and ownership.
How to Bring Back the Classic Right-Click Menu in Windows 11
Don't worry—no third-party tools are needed. Just one simple Registry tweak.
Method: Using Windows Registry Editor
- Press Windows Key + R
- Type regedit and hit Enter
- Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID
- Right-click the CLSID folder → New → Key
- Name the new key: {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}
- Inside that key, create another key named: InprocServer32
- Double-click the (Default) entry on the right
- Leave the value data empty and click OK
- Restart Windows Explorer:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
- Scroll to find Windows Explorer
- Right-click → Restart
Alternatively, restart your computer.
Method: Run Registry File Below
Alternatively you can run the registry file below OR just download the file below, extract and double click and run it.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Restore Classic Windows 10 Right-Click Menu in Windows 11
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}]
@="ClassicMenu"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32]
@=""
Final Thoughts
Windows 11 brings plenty of improvements, but the redesigned right-click menu didn't land well for many users. Hiding essential options behind an extra click goes against decades of Windows usability norms. Power users, developers, and even casual users have voiced their frustrations—and this registry tweak has become one of the most common UI fixes people apply.
Reverting to the classic context menu is not just nostalgia; it's practicality. It restores speed, restores consistency, and restores the Windows workflow millions of users grew up with.
If you rely heavily on right-click tasks, the classic menu is still the fastest and most efficient option—and thankfully, it's still easy to bring back.
Comments