Windows 11 brings many new features to the table, including a new context menu. Well, not everybody’s happy with the new design. The good news is that you can bring the good old Windows 10 context menu back. Follow the steps listed below to get the job done.
How to Restore the Old Context Menu in Windows 11
To bring the Windows 10 context menu back to Windows 11, you must tweak your Registry settings. More specifically, you need to add a new InprocServer32 key under the CLSID class.
- Click the Search button and type regedit.
- Select the Registry Editor app.
- Then navigate to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID.
- Right-click on the left-hand pane and select New > Key.
- Name the new key {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}.
- Right-click on the key you just created and select New > Key again.
- Name the new key InprocServer32.
- Double-click the Default key under InprocServer32.
- Close the Default key without editing anything.
- Exit the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
When you right-click on your desktop, the classic Windows 10 context menu should be visible on the screen. Keep in mind that you need to restart your computer to apply the changes.
By the way, if you don’t like the Windows 11 UI, you can also bring the old Windows 10 Start Menu back.
Conclusion
If you want to bring the Windows 10 context menu back to Windows 11, you must edit your Registry. More specifically, you need to create two new keys: {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} and InprocServer32. Then restart your computer to apply the changes.
Do you like the new Windows 11 context menu? Do you prefer to use the good old Windows 10 context menu instead? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this quick guide on social media.
Great article, very useful.
I found an app that does this very easily and a whole bunch more including revealing some of those difficult to find registry entries for context menus. t’s a product called Easy Context Menu. I’m using it on Windows 11 and it works a treat
This is classic microsoft philosophy. Change things around to make everything look new so the uneducated user things he has the latest and greatest software from microsoft.
The turth be told, all microsoft is doing is making it harder and harder for people to use their products. Linux and Apple are starting to look better and better with every new change from microsoft.