How to Restore the Classic Right-Click Menu in Windows 11: Practical and Safe Guide

Since Microsoft released Windows 11, the aesthetic and usability changes have been one of the most discussed topics among users. The company aimed to give a cleaner and more minimalist look, but as often happens, not everyone welcomed these modifications. One of the most controversial points was the new right-click context menu.

In Windows 10 and earlier versions, right-clicking on a file, folder, or the desktop brought up a complete menu with all available options. In Windows 11, however, Microsoft trimmed and reorganized that menu:

• Basic functions (copy, cut, paste, rename) appear as icons at the top.

• External program shortcuts (e.g., unzip with WinRAR, open with Notepad++, send with antivirus, etc.) no longer show up immediately: they are hidden under “Show more options”.

• The result is a smaller menu, but one that requires an extra click to access everything else.

And here comes the conflict: what Microsoft calls “simplicity,” many interpret as inefficiency. That extra click breaks the workflow, especially for those who have spent years using the classic Windows context menu.

The good news is that there are two safe ways to restore the classic menu in Windows 11: one using the system itself (by modifying the registry) and the other with fully reliable third-party software. In this article, I’ll explain both methods clearly and step by step.

Classic Menu vs. Modern Menu: What’s the Difference?

Before jumping into the practical steps, it’s worth reviewing the differences between both menus:

Quick takeaway: the new menu “looks nicer,” but the classic one “works better.”

Method 1: Restore the Classic Menu by Editing the Windows Registry

This method is the most “pure” one because it doesn’t require installing anything. What we do is tell the system to always display the old menu instead of the new one.

⚠️ Pre-recommendation: before changing anything, create a restore point or at least export the current registry. That way, you can go back in case something goes wrong.

Steps to do it:

1. Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.

2. Type regedit and press Enter. This opens the Registry Editor.

3. Navigate to this path:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\

4. Right-click on “CLSID” → New → Key.

5. Name the new key:

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

6. Inside this new key, create another one called InprocServer32.

7. Select the “InprocServer32” key and, in the right panel, double-click (Default).

8. Do not type anything; simply click OK (it must remain empty).

9. Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Once restarted, the context menu will look exactly like Windows 10’s: all options visible, no extra steps.

👉 How to revert: if at any point you want to go back to the modern Windows 11 menu, just return to the registry and delete the entire key {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}. Restart and done.

Method 2: Restore the Classic Menu with an External Tool

If registry editing is not for you, there’s an easier way: use a program that does the work for you.

The most recommended one is Winaero Tweaker, a free and well-known software in the Windows community. Among its many functions, it includes the option to enable the Windows 10 classic menu on Windows 11.

Advantages of using Winaero Tweaker:

• 100% safe, no ads or malware.

• Available in multiple languages including Spanish.

• Doesn’t require a permanent Internet connection.

• Changes can be reverted with a single click.

Basic steps:

1. Download Winaero Tweaker from its official website.

2. Install it and open the application.

3. In the left panel, go to Windows 11 → Classic Full Context Menus.

4. Check the box “Enable Classic Full Context Menus”.

5. Restart Windows Explorer (the app provides a button for this) or reboot your computer.

In seconds, you’ll have the classic menu back. And the best part: if one day you prefer the modern menu, just uncheck the box.

Additional Adjustments to Optimize the Context Menu

Restoring the classic menu is just the first step. For a smoother experience, it’s worth making a few extra adjustments:

1. Remove File Explorer ads: go to Settings → Privacy and disable ads in File Explorer.

2. Avoid folder merging: in Folder Options, uncheck “Merge folders” when copying or moving files.

3. Clean redundant menu entries: if your context menu has too many program options you barely use, tools like CCleaner or Easy Context Menu can help streamline it.

4. Customize frequent shortcuts: for example, make “Open with Notepad” or “Run as Administrator” easily accessible.

With these tweaks, your restored context menu will not only be classic but also lightweight and efficient.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does the classic menu slow down the PC?
Generally, no. But if you have an older machine and too many programs adding right-click entries, you might notice some lag. The solution is to clean up and keep only the essentials.

2. Does editing the registry affect system security?
No. This change only alters how Explorer displays options. It doesn’t touch Windows’ core or block updates. However, after major Windows 11 updates, you may need to repeat the process.

3. Will Microsoft bring back the classic menu?
So far, there are no signs of that. The most they’ve done is improve the speed of the “Show more options” button, but the full classic menu seems unlikely to return officially.

Conclusion: Don’t Settle, Regain Your Efficiency

The context menu might seem like a small detail, but it makes a big difference in everyday use. If you often rely on functions like copy, paste, compress, rename, or open with external programs, having them just one click away saves time and frustration.

Windows 11 bets on a minimalist aesthetic, but the truth is that productivity always outweighs design.

That’s why, if the new menu doesn’t suit you, you have two clear paths:

• Registry method: more technical, but official, safe, and doesn’t require extra tools.

• Winaero Tweaker method: quick, reversible, and beginner-friendly.

Either way, you’ll regain that familiarity and agility Microsoft suddenly removed. And remember: an operating system shouldn’t just be beautiful, it should also be useful.