Windows 10: Windows 11 24H2 File explorer started to show old context menu when right click on a file

Is anyone else running into this issue. I am running Windows 11 Home Version 24H2, OS build 26100.4202, Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.107.0. When in File Explorer and right click on a file I get the old context menu, if I right click the file again I get the new one. issue on happens with files, if I right click on a folder I always get the windows 11 contest menu. This start happening about a month ago.

:)

 

Restore Legacy Right Click menu for File Explorer in Windows 11

Starting with Windows 11, the context menu in the File Explorer is refreshed, which is compact and is based on Modern design. However, the refreshed context menu shows fewer items compared to the Legacy Context menu. This article discusses how to restore the Legacy Context menu in Windows 11, showing up by default.





Recycle bin modern context menu - coming to Windows 11 in the future

You can show up the Legacy Right Click Context menu by clicking Show more options at the end of the list or press Shift+F10. If you want it by default, you need to add a registry entry given below so that every time you right-click a File or Folder, it shows the Legacy Context menu by default.





Restore old Context Menu in Windows 11

1. Right-click the Start button and choose Windows Terminal(admin).
   
2. Copy the command from below, paste it in Windows Terminal Window, and press enter.
   
   1. reg.exe add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f /ve
      
3. Restart File Explorer or your computer for the changes to take effect.
   
4. You would see the Legacy Right Click Context menu by default.
   

Command in Windows Terminal to Restore old context menu

The Registry change masks the new COM object that executes the compact menus with the "Show more options" entry. Once you get this performed, Explorer reverts to the Legacy context menu.

Restore Modern Context menus in Windows 11

To undo this change, in an elevated Terminal Window, execute this command:

reg.exe delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}" /f

Restart the File Explorer or Computer for the changes to take effect.

These steps can help you to enable the old context menu in Windows 11.



Sumit (@_sumitdhiman) / Twitter

Also read:

• Recovery options in Windows 11 - Your Windows Guide
  
• How to: Use Snap Layouts and Snap groups in Windows 11 - Microsoft Community
  
• How to create a Local Account in Windows 11 - Microsoft Community
  
• How to change the default apps in Windows 11? - Your Windows Guide
  

Credits to Winaero.com

 

File Explorer Context Menu

Changes to the File Explorer context menu in Windows 11 have made it more inconvenient for me to use compared with Windows 10. I use "New Folder" frequently and this is now 2-clicks away, in favour of a list of commands I never use. Is there a way to change way this context menu displays?

 

File Explorer Context Menu

Hi Mark, my name is Neil and I'm a Windows 11 user like you.

I too wasn't thrilled by the new context menu options in Windows 11. However, since using it, my New > option appears on the first context menu, where you simply hover and then select New Folder just like Windows 10.

Now I can't be sure if this changed by itself (adapted because I have used the New option a few times) or if this came from an update? So you might want to try using the New option a few times and see if it moves to the first context menu.

However, to answer your question, yes! There is a way to restore a full context menu back to Windows 11.

It involves editing the registry but is a fairly simple thing to do and it is also easy to remove too by deleting the key you create if you ever needed to.

There are many websites with the steps that show you what to do, but I think this one is the best as a step-by-step guide: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-res...

After following the instructions and rebooting, you will have a full context menu when you right click.

I hope this helps!

Kindest regards,

Neil