Windows 11 introduced a redesigned context menu that appears when you right-click files, folders, or the desktop. The new menu shows a simplified set of options, while many traditional options are hidden under the “Show more options” entry. To access the full classic menu, users often need to click Show more options or press Shift + F10.
While the new design looks cleaner, some users find it inconvenient because commonly used options from older applications require an extra click. Fortunately, Windows 11 allows you to restore the classic context menu so that the full list of options appears immediately when you right-click.
If you want to disable “Show more options” in Windows 11 and bring back the classic context menu, follow the steps below.
How to Disable “Show More Options” in Windows 11
Use the following methods to restore the classic right-click menu.
1. Disable “Show More Options” Using Command Prompt
The easiest way to restore the classic context menu is by running a registry command.
- Press Windows + S and search for Command Prompt.
- Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Enter the following command:
reg.exe add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f /ve
- Press Enter.
- Restart Windows Explorer or restart your computer.
After restarting, the classic context menu will appear when you right-click.
2. Restart Windows Explorer
To apply the changes without restarting the entire system:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Locate Windows Explorer in the process list.
- Right-click Windows Explorer.
- Select Restart.
Once Explorer restarts, right-click any file to check the classic context menu.
3. Restore the Default Windows 11 Context Menu
If you want to return to the Windows 11 default menu later, you can reverse the change.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Run the following command:
reg.exe delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}" /f
- Restart Windows Explorer or restart your PC.
The Windows 11 modern context menu will return.
Conclusion
The “Show more options” menu in Windows 11 hides the traditional right-click menu behind an extra step, which some users find inconvenient. By modifying a registry setting through Command Prompt, you can disable this feature and restore the classic context menu.
Following the steps above allows you to quickly access all right-click options without needing to click Show more options, making file management faster and more convenient in Windows 11.
