09-10-2024, 05:29 AM
Guide to Restoring the Classic Context Menu in Windows 11
With Windows 11, Microsoft introduced a new simplified right-click context menu. While the new design aims to improve usability, some users prefer the classic context menu from previous versions of Windows for its familiarity and extensive options. This guide will walk you through how to restore the classic context menu in Windows 11 using two methods: through the registry and with a third-party tool.
Method 1: Restore the Classic Context Menu Using the Registry Editor
One way to restore the classic context menu in Windows 11 is by editing the Windows Registry. This method modifies system settings to bring back the old context menu behavior.
Warning: Editing the registry can be risky if done incorrectly. It’s recommended to create a system restore point or back up the registry before making changes.
Steps to Restore the Classic Context Menu Using the Registry Editor:
1. Press `Windows + R` on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. In the Run box, type `regedit` and press `Enter` to open the Windows Registry Editor. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click `Yes`.
3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:
4. Right-click on the `CLSID` key in the left sidebar and select `New` > `Key`.
5. Name the new key:
6. Right-click on the newly created key and select `New` > `Key`.
7. Name this new key `InprocServer32`.
8. In the right pane, double-click the `(Default)` entry under the `InprocServer32` key.
9. Leave the `Value data` field empty and click `OK`.
10. Close the Registry Editor.
To apply the changes, restart your computer or restart Windows Explorer.
Steps to Restart Windows Explorer:
1. Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open Task Manager.
2. In Task Manager, locate `Windows Explorer` under the `Processes` tab.
3. Right-click on `Windows Explorer` and select `Restart`.
Once your system restarts, the classic context menu should be restored.
Method 2: Use a Third-Party Tool to Restore the Classic Context Menu
If you’re not comfortable with editing the registry, you can use a third-party tool to restore the classic context menu in Windows 11. One such tool is **Winaero Tweaker**, which offers an easy way to bring back the classic right-click menu.
Steps to Restore the Classic Context Menu Using Winaero Tweaker:
1. Open your web browser and download Winaero Tweaker from the official website: Winaero Tweaker Official Website.
2. Once downloaded, install Winaero Tweaker by following the on-screen instructions.
3. Launch Winaero Tweaker after installation is complete.
4. In the Winaero Tweaker interface, navigate to `Classic Full Context Menus` under the `Windows 11` section in the left-hand sidebar.
5. Check the box that says `Enable Classic Full Context Menus`.
6. To apply the changes, restart your computer or restart Windows Explorer by following the steps mentioned above.
Once Winaero Tweaker has applied the changes, the classic context menu will be restored.
How to Undo the Changes and Restore the Windows 11 Context Menu
If you wish to switch back to the default Windows 11 context menu after making these changes, follow these steps:
Steps to Restore the Windows 11 Context Menu (Registry Method):
1. Open the Registry Editor by pressing `Windows + R`, typing `regedit`, and pressing `Enter`.
2. Navigate to the following key:
3. Right-click on the key `{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}` and select `Delete`.
4. Confirm the deletion by clicking `Yes`.
5. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer or restart Windows Explorer.
Steps to Restore the Windows 11 Context Menu (Winaero Tweaker Method):
1. Open Winaero Tweaker.
2. Navigate to `Classic Full Context Menus` in the `Windows 11` section.
3. Uncheck `Enable Classic Full Context Menus`.
4. Restart your computer or restart Windows Explorer to apply the changes.
Conclusion
Restoring the classic context menu in Windows 11 can improve productivity and ease of use for users who prefer the traditional right-click options. By following the steps in this guide, you can easily bring back the classic context menu using the Registry Editor or a third-party tool like Winaero Tweaker. Both methods are safe and effective, giving you full control over your context menu experience in Windows 11.
With Windows 11, Microsoft introduced a new simplified right-click context menu. While the new design aims to improve usability, some users prefer the classic context menu from previous versions of Windows for its familiarity and extensive options. This guide will walk you through how to restore the classic context menu in Windows 11 using two methods: through the registry and with a third-party tool.
Method 1: Restore the Classic Context Menu Using the Registry Editor
One way to restore the classic context menu in Windows 11 is by editing the Windows Registry. This method modifies system settings to bring back the old context menu behavior.
Warning: Editing the registry can be risky if done incorrectly. It’s recommended to create a system restore point or back up the registry before making changes.
Steps to Restore the Classic Context Menu Using the Registry Editor:
1. Press `Windows + R` on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. In the Run box, type `regedit` and press `Enter` to open the Windows Registry Editor. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click `Yes`.
3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:
Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID5. Name the new key:
Code:
{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}7. Name this new key `InprocServer32`.
8. In the right pane, double-click the `(Default)` entry under the `InprocServer32` key.
9. Leave the `Value data` field empty and click `OK`.
10. Close the Registry Editor.
To apply the changes, restart your computer or restart Windows Explorer.
Steps to Restart Windows Explorer:
1. Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open Task Manager.
2. In Task Manager, locate `Windows Explorer` under the `Processes` tab.
3. Right-click on `Windows Explorer` and select `Restart`.
Once your system restarts, the classic context menu should be restored.
Method 2: Use a Third-Party Tool to Restore the Classic Context Menu
If you’re not comfortable with editing the registry, you can use a third-party tool to restore the classic context menu in Windows 11. One such tool is **Winaero Tweaker**, which offers an easy way to bring back the classic right-click menu.
Steps to Restore the Classic Context Menu Using Winaero Tweaker:
1. Open your web browser and download Winaero Tweaker from the official website: Winaero Tweaker Official Website.
2. Once downloaded, install Winaero Tweaker by following the on-screen instructions.
3. Launch Winaero Tweaker after installation is complete.
4. In the Winaero Tweaker interface, navigate to `Classic Full Context Menus` under the `Windows 11` section in the left-hand sidebar.
5. Check the box that says `Enable Classic Full Context Menus`.
6. To apply the changes, restart your computer or restart Windows Explorer by following the steps mentioned above.
Once Winaero Tweaker has applied the changes, the classic context menu will be restored.
How to Undo the Changes and Restore the Windows 11 Context Menu
If you wish to switch back to the default Windows 11 context menu after making these changes, follow these steps:
Steps to Restore the Windows 11 Context Menu (Registry Method):
1. Open the Registry Editor by pressing `Windows + R`, typing `regedit`, and pressing `Enter`.
2. Navigate to the following key:
Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID4. Confirm the deletion by clicking `Yes`.
5. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer or restart Windows Explorer.
Steps to Restore the Windows 11 Context Menu (Winaero Tweaker Method):
1. Open Winaero Tweaker.
2. Navigate to `Classic Full Context Menus` in the `Windows 11` section.
3. Uncheck `Enable Classic Full Context Menus`.
4. Restart your computer or restart Windows Explorer to apply the changes.
Conclusion
Restoring the classic context menu in Windows 11 can improve productivity and ease of use for users who prefer the traditional right-click options. By following the steps in this guide, you can easily bring back the classic context menu using the Registry Editor or a third-party tool like Winaero Tweaker. Both methods are safe and effective, giving you full control over your context menu experience in Windows 11.