Windows 11: Enable “Show More Options” as Default in Right-Click Menu

Windows 11 introduces a new streamlined right-click menu, but many users prefer the classic context menu with the “Show More Options” expanded by default. If you want to restore the old-style right-click menu, follow the steps below.

Method 1: Use Registry Editor to Restore Classic Right-Click Menu

1. Open Command Prompt
– Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
– Alternatively, search for “Command Prompt” and run it as Administrator.

2. Run the Registry Command
– Copy and paste the following command into the Command Prompt and press Enter:

reg add HKCUSoftwareClassesCLSID{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}InprocServer32 /ve /d "" /f

3. Restart Windows Explorer
– Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
– Find Windows Explorer, right-click it, and choose Restart.

Method 2: Using a Registry File

If you prefer a faster method:

1. Open Notepad and copy the following code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareClassesCLSID{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}InprocServer32]
@=""

2. Save the file as restore_classic_menu.reg.
3. Double-click the file and confirm the changes.
4. Restart your computer or restart Windows Explorer as shown above.

How to Revert Back to Windows 11 Default Right-Click Menu

If you want to restore the default Windows 11 right-click menu, open Command Prompt and run:

reg delete HKCUSoftwareClassesCLSID{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} /f

Then restart Windows Explorer.

Following these steps will allow you to enable or disable the classic right-click menu in Windows 11.

For more “Windows 11” solutions, please check our Windows 11.