Windows 10: Microsoft Releases KB5127936 for Windows 11 With a Faster, Customizable Context Menu

Microsoft has released KB5127936, an optional preview update for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 26H2 that introduces a redesigned File Explorer context menu, according to the official release notes published on October 28, 2026.

The update raises the OS builds to 26200.9818 and 26300.9818, and the new context menu is rolling out gradually, so it will not appear on every device right away.

Microsoft says the updated menu "opens more quickly, reduces clutter, and gives you more control over the commands and app extensions that appear when you right-click." The change is part of the company's Windows K2 effort, which targets long-standing complaints about core parts of the operating system.

Windows 11 Context Menu Customization Options in KB5127936


The redesigned menu adds a Customize menu entry at the bottom of the right-click menu. From there, users can control which commands are shown and where they sit. According to Microsoft, the available options are:

• turning built-in commands such as Send to and Create shortcut on or off
• adding commands such as Print to the menu
• placing app extensions in the main menu or in a submenu, or hiding the app extensions submenu entirely
• showing Cut, Copy, Paste, Rename, Delete, and Share as text entries in the list instead of a row of icons along the top
• moving Properties to the bottom of the menu

Users moving from Windows 10 can use the text entry option to bring Cut, Copy, and Paste back into the vertical list, and app entries that clutter the menu can be switched off.

KB5127936 is not limited to the menu. File Explorer gets a consistent layout for search results, support for the ~ character in the address bar, and dark mode in the Folder Options dialog.

Xbox mode receives a refreshed Gaming Task View with a navigation bar for Exit to Desktop and Power Options. In Settings, the Privacy and security page now groups Camera, Microphone, and Location controls together.

Fixes that ship to all eligible devices at once cover Remote Desktop with Administrator protection, the Smart App Control toggle, AMD HDMI and DisplayPort audio, BitLocker PIN retries, Windows Sandbox crashes, and Always On VPN. Microsoft Edge 150 or later also launches faster through a change in the update.

How to Install KB5127936 on Windows 11


The release is optional and is not offered automatically through the Windows Update for Business channel or WSUS. Home users can install it manually:

1. Open Settings and select Windows Update.
2. Turn on "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" to receive gradually rolled out features sooner.
3. Go to Advanced options, then Optional updates, and install KB5127936.

Administrators can download the x64 or Arm64 packages from the Microsoft Update Catalog, installing the checkpoint update KB5043080 first.

Microsoft lists one known issue: USB Audio Class 1.0 devices may show error Code 10, play no audio, or have unresponsive volume controls after the September 8, 2026 security update, and no fix has been published yet. Even with the toggle enabled, the new context menu reaches devices in phases, and Microsoft has not given a date for full availability.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft Releases KB5127936 for Windows 11 With a Faster, Customizable Context Menu appeared first on gHacks.

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Context Menu keeps Resizing (Windows 11)

Hi Priyansu. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

There is a new design for Context Menu in Windows 11 which you can adjust following steps here:

https://www.pcgamer.com/windows-11-context-menu...

https://nerdschalk.com/how-to-fix-windows-11-ri...



Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

______________________________________________

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Context Menu - Open With (Windows Suggested List)

Well.. have a look at this:

I took a risk. I've set a System Restore point then installed Gold Wave. It was not present in that Open With list. I used the Default Programs Editor:

Did you click Save...? You should have seen:

Note: if you are running as a standard user you may need to run it as admin, if it doesn't offer a UAC prompt.

- opened via Open With as above.

 

Context Menu - Open With (Windows Suggested List)

OS: Windows 10 Pro x64 22H2 Diagram 'A' shows Windows' suggested programs Diagram 'B' shows the extended list I have been trying to edit the context menu's "Open with" list of Windows' suggested programs for the .mp3 extension. I'm not talking about the extended list, but rather the programs that first appear 'before' the "choose another app" option. If you look at Diagram 'A' you will see the preliminary list generated by Windows, this is the list I am looking to modify. I have an .mp3 editor named Goldwave that I use for editing audio files, however, I do not want to change the preliminary program Windows uses to open .mp3s. My .mp3s should remain assigned to Winamp Player. Any help would be greatly appreciated.