11 Steps to Restore the Windows 11 Classic Context Menu (And a Temporary Fix)

How does it always seems like Microsoft manages to break two things every time it fixes one? That may have been the question you asked yourself when you discovered the company had needlessly done away with the Windows 11 classic context menu. Gone was the simple list of options, replaced by a “simplified” version of the right-click menu. Icons suddenly appeared, with no explanation of what they did.

If only you could get the old version back.

Well, you can – here’s how to bring back the classic context menu on Windows 11.

Two Methods to Enable Classic Context Menu in Windows 11

The great news about the classic context menu is that it isn’t gone for good – you can still access it if you know what you’re doing. We’re going to share two methods here. One gives you the Windows 11 classic context menu back for a short time only. The other is a more permanent fix that will require you to get comfortable with making changes to your registry settings.

Method 1. The Temporary Fix

You may have already come across this temporary fix while messing around with the new context window. Head down to the “Show more options” setting at the bottom of the context menu and click it. Voila – the classic context menu pops up.

Don’t want to even look at the new context menu? You don’t have to. You can also hold the “Shift” key down on your keyboard as you right-click a file and you’ll go straight into the Windows 11 classic context menu.

Method 2. The Permanent Fix

The problem with both of these temporary methods is that they only allow you to regain the classic context menu for the file you’re trying to edit. How about we make the transition to classic a little more permanent? For that, you need to make some registry changes using the following steps:

Step 1. Type “regedit” into the Windows search bar at the bottom left of your screen and click the “Registry Editor” icon.

Step 2. Hit the little downward arrow icon next to “HKEY_CURRENT_USER” and tap the icon next to “Software.”

Step 3. Select the arrow icon next to “Classes.” Scroll down – you’ll have to move past quite a few options – until you reach the “CLSID” folder.

Step 4. Right-click the “CLSID” folder and run your cursor over “New.” Another set of drop-down options should appear in a menu. Hit “Key” here.

Step 5. Click “Key” to create a new folder under “CLSID.” You have to enter the following exactly as that folder’s name:

{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}

Step 6. You’re not done with setting up keys just yet. Your new key folder needs its own subkey, so right-click, select “New,” and choose “Key” from the options.

Step 7. Name this new subkey as “InprocServer32.” Again, make sure you get this exactly right as any mistakes could cause issues with how your copy of Windows 11 runs.

Step 8. Select your new “InprocServer32.” You should see a registry file named “(Default)” in the window on the right-hand side of the screen. Double-click that file.

Step 9. When the dialog box pops up, leave the “Value data” field blank and don’t touch the “Value name” field. Just hit the “OK” button.

Step 10. After a little bit of waiting, you’re almost ready to restore the Windows 11 classic context menu. Once the dialog box closes, hit “Ctrl Shift Esc” to locate “Windows Explorer” in the dialog box. It should be under “Apps.”

Step 11. Right-click “Windows Explorer” and select “Restart” from the options.

And you’re done. Your registry should now be fully updated (or should we say downgraded) so that you have the Windows 11 classic context menu once more.

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