How to change the Right-Click Context Menu in Windows 11

Windows 11 has introduced a sleek new interface with improved functionality. Among these changes is the ability to customize the right-click context menu. This guide will provide you with a bit of an understanding of how to personalize your context menu in Windows 11.

Accessing the Context Menu in Windows 11

The right-click context menu in Windows 11 is accessed by right-clicking on any empty space or object in the operating system. This brings up a list of available options tailored to the specific item you right-clicked on.

See also: Best Windows 11 Laptops Reviewed – Our Top Picks!

Default Context Menu Options

By default, the context menu in Windows 11 offers a set of options based on your current selection. These options include:

1. Open: Opens the selected item in its default application.
2. Cut, Copy, and Paste: Allows you to move, duplicate, or insert content.
3. Delete: Removes the selected item from your system.
4. Rename: Changes the name of the selected item.
5. Properties: Displays the properties of the selected item.

These default options can be expanded upon or modified to better suit your needs.

Adding Custom Entries to Context Menu in Windows 11

Adding custom entries to your context menu involves editing the Windows Registry. Follow these steps to add new options:

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID. You can do this manually by clicking through the folders or entering this path in the address bar at the top.
3. Right-click on any empty space on the right panel and select New > Key on the pop-up menu.
   
4. Key names are usually descriptive enough to tell you which setting they control, but for this, we will need an alphanumeric code.
   Enter the following key name: {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}

   Don’t try typing it out, as accuracy is crucial. Copy-paste the name from above.

5. Create another new key inside this one and name it: InprocServer32
   
6. Edit this key from the right pane and ensure its value data is blank.
7. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. Alternatively, you can also restart the Windows File Explorer process from the Task Manager.
8. The change will take effect after you restart your PC or Windows Explorer. Right-click anywhere to get the Windows 10 context menu again, with all the missing menu items back on the list.

Third-Party Tools for Context Menu Customization

Several third-party tools can simplify context menu customization in Windows 11, for example the Easy Context Menu: This freeware tool allows you to add, remove, or edit context menu entries with ease, can save time and reduce the risk of errors when working with the Windows Registry.