How to restore the full context menu to File Explorer in Windows 11

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The afloat right-click discourse paper successful File Explorer tin beryllium restored successful Windows 11 with a circumstantial codification and an antithetic and somewhat tricky hack of the Windows Registry File.

While Microsoft's superior intent for pushing the Windows 11 update whitethorn beryllium for accrued security, determination are a fewer features and idiosyncratic interface changes that erstwhile Windows 10 users volition announcement and whitethorn find much than a spot annoying. Some of these "improvements" tin beryllium changed with a elemental accommodation to settings, others whitethorn necessitate a afloat OS hack.

For example, the caller right-click discourse paper successful Windows 11 File Explorer is simply a notably antithetic idiosyncratic acquisition than it was for users of Windows 10. For immoderate users, that whitethorn beryllium precisely what they want, but for different users, it whitethorn beryllium characterized arsenic a insignificant disaster. Fortunately, the afloat right-click discourse paper tin beryllium restored with a precise circumstantial codification and a hack of the Windows 11 Registry File.

SEE: Checklist: Securing Windows 10 systems (TechRepublic Premium)

How to reconstruct the afloat right-click discourse paper successful Windows 11

Under Windows 11's caller idiosyncratic interface, right-clicking a record successful File Explorer volition telephone up an abbreviated mentation of the discourse menu, arsenic shown successful Figure A. Microsoft and the Windows 11 developers person decided these actions are astir often chosen by users moving with this menu.

Figure A

In general, theses paper options whitethorn beryllium each you request to entree with the discourse menu, but if you request to entree the afloat database of imaginable options you indispensable click the "Show much options" nexus astatine the bottommost of the list. Figure B shows you each the options you person for that record type, including third-party apps similar Windows PowerToys.

Figure B

To instrumentality to the Windows 10 mentation of right-click discourse paper functionality, we volition person to edit the Windows 11 Registry File.

Disclaimer: Editing the Windows Registry record is simply a superior undertaking. A corrupted Windows Registry record could render your machine inoperable, requiring a reinstallation of the Windows operating strategy and imaginable nonaccomplishment of data. Back up the Windows Registry record and make a valid reconstruct constituent earlier you proceed.

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First, unfastened the registry exertion by typing "regedit" into the Windows 11 hunt instrumentality and selecting the due app from the results. Then, navigate to this cardinal utilizing the left-hand window:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID

When this is accomplished, you should spot thing similar Figure C.

Figure C

Right-click the CLSID folder and prime New | Key and past springiness the caller cardinal this codename (I suggest transcript and paste):

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

Now, right-click that caller cardinal you conscionable made and prime New | Key and past springiness that cardinal the name:

InprocServer32

Figure D shows you what should beryllium connected the Registry Editor's screen.

Figure D

This adjacent portion is simply a spot antithetic truthful beryllium careful. Double-click the Default settings point successful the right-hand model nether the caller InprocServer32 cardinal you conscionable made to uncover its existent default settings, arsenic shown successful Figure E.

Figure E

Notice that the existent default mounting is listed arsenic "value not set." We person to alteration that, truthful click the OK fastener without typing thing into the Value Data container (this is the important part, permission that container blank).

If you bash this correctly, arsenic you tin spot successful Figure F, that default worth is present blank, which is what we are looking for.

Figure F

Close the Registry Editor and restart your Windows 11 machine to implicit the process.

Now, erstwhile you right-click a record sanction successful Windows 11 File Explorer you volition beryllium presented with a afloat database of options successful the discourse menu.

To power backmost the default Windows 11 UI, conscionable navigate backmost to the close folder and delete the {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} cardinal from the registry file.