How to get a clean desktop with a single right-click in Windows 11

Most users of Windows 11 ends, sooner or later, with the desk in absolute chaosShortcuts everywhere, files that were supposed to be organized "later," and context menus full of options that are almost never used. The good news is that, with a couple of tweaks and by making good use of the right-click menu, you can make everything much cleaner and more user-friendly without having to install any unusual programs.

Windows 11 has changed the context menu quite a bit compared to Windows 10.This has generated equal parts love and hate: a more modern and minimalist design, yes, but also more clicks to get to the same old things and the occasional annoying bug. In this article, you'll see how to get the classic menu back if you prefer, how to practically clean up your desktop with a right-click, and how to tweak the "New" menu and other options so that only what you really need appears.

The new context menu in Windows 11 and why it's bothering so many people

When you right-click on an empty desktop in Windows 11, a much cleaner context menu appears than in Windows 10.It has a more modern design, minimalist icons, and less text at first glance. From there you can organize icons, create new files or folders, access screen settings and other basic functions.

The problem is that Microsoft has hidden some of the classic options behind a second level called "Show more options".In other words, to see the "traditional" menu, you have to right-click and then select that option or use a keyboard shortcut. That's two steps for something that used to be done with a single click, and many users aren't happy about it.

That classic menu that appears when you press "Show more options" is not a simple cropped copyOn many computers, it includes additional shortcuts, such as the control panel. NVIDIAUtilities from the integrated graphics card, monitor software, or tools added by some third-party programs. For many, these extra entries are precisely what makes the traditional menu useful.

In summary: with Windows 11 you have two context menus coexistingThe new one, cleaner and more limited at first glance, and the classic one inherited from Windows 10, hidden behind an additional option. If you're used to the old behavior, having to take an extra step each time can slow down your workflow and become quite cumbersome.

The good thing is that you're not forced to swallow the new menu if you don't want to.With a small adjustment to the Windows registry or by using third-party tools, it is possible to force the classic menu to always be displayed when right-clicking, both on the desktop and on files and folders.

How to revert to the classic Windows 10 menu in Windows 11

If you want every right click in Windows 11 to directly display the classic Windows 10-style menuYou have two main options: edit the system registry or run a command from the console. It's simpler than it seems, but you should proceed with caution because you're modifying a sensitive part of the system.

First of all, remember that you can always view the classic menu without changing anything.Simply right-click while holding down the key ShiftThis way you skip the new menu and open the old one directly. If you only need it occasionally, that might be enough for you.

Option 1: Use the Registry Editor step by step

To force Windows 11 to always show the classic context menu, a specific key must be added to the registry.This method requires no installation, just follow the steps carefully:

1. Open Registry Editor
Balance Win + R, writes regedit and press Enter. You can also open the Start menu, type regedit and open the result that appears.

2. Navigate to the appropriate key
On the left side, open the folders until you reach:

Computer → HKEY_CURRENT_USER → Software → Classes → CLSID

You can do this manually by expanding each branch or by pasting the path into the Registry Editor's address bar., right below the menu, to go directly.

3. Create the new special CLSID key
Right click on CLSID and choose New → KeyA new folder will be created. Name it exactly like this (including curly braces):

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

4. Add the InprocServer32 subkey
Right-click on the key you just created ({86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}) and select again New → KeyThis subkey should be called:

InprocServer32

If everything is working correctly, you'll see the primary key with that InprocServer32 subfolder hanging from it.This is exactly the structure that Windows needs to implement the change in context menu behavior.

5. Leave the default value empty
In the right panel of InprocServer32 you will see a value called (Predetermined)Double-click on it and, in the text box that appears, leave the value completely blank. Accept the changes.

At this point, where "(value not set)" was previously displayed, it will now simply be blank., which indicates that the adjustment has been applied correctly.

6. Restart the computer
Close the Registry Editor and restart Windows. From then on, whenever you right-click on the desktop, a file, or a folder, you'll see the classic menu directly without needing to click "Show more options."

If at any point you want to return to the new Windows 11 menuYou just need to open the Registry Editor again, go to the same path, and delete the key. InprocServer32 (or the complete key) {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}After restarting, everything will return to its original behavior.

Option 2: Do it with a single command from CMD

If browsing through the registry seems tedious or scary, you can achieve the exact same thing with a command.You just need to open the console as administrator and paste the correct command.

1. Open Symbol of the system as administrator
Search CMD In the Start menu, right-click on Symbol of the system and choose Run as administrator.

2. Create the key in the registry via command
In the CMD window, paste this line (making sure the slashes are correct):

Run: reg.exe add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f /ve

That command creates the key and leaves the default value empty.which is exactly what we've done manually in the registry editor, but in a single step.

3. Restart File Explorer
To change the context menu, simply restart Windows Explorer. In the same Command Prompt window, run:

Restart with: taskkill -IM explorer.exe -f
explorer.exe

This closes and restarts the browser, instantly applying the new menu behavior.If you're still unsure, you can also simply restart your PC.

Other ways to recover and customize the context menu

Not everyone feels comfortable playing the register, however simple the change may be.If you prefer something more visual and, while you're at it, want to tweak other Windows details, there are some well-known third-party tools that will make your life easier.

Winaero Tweaker: a classic to tune Windows

Winaero Tweaker is a free utility that bundles tons of hidden Windows tweaks into a single interfaceAmong those options is the ability to return to the classic context menu in Windows 11 without having to open regedit, CMD, or anything similar.

It works simply: you select the option to activate the classic menu, apply the changes, and restart the browser or the computer.Furthermore, since you're already using the tool, you can take advantage of it to modify other aesthetic aspects and system behavior, from animations to the appearance of the taskbar.

The advantage of Winaero Tweaker is that it centralizes many Tricks which normally involve editing the record by handThis allows you to activate or deactivate functions with a simple switch. For less advanced users or those who don't want to risk typing the wrong password, it's a highly recommended alternative.

Win 11 Classic Context Menu: for context menu only

If all you're concerned about is the context menu and you don't want anything else, you have even more specific tools available.One of the most direct is Win 11 Classic Context Menuwhose mission is exactly that: to activate or deactivate the classic Windows 10 menu in Windows 11.

This app is also free, very lightweight, and focuses on that single change.It's ideal if you don't want to complicate things with programs full of options you'll never use. You open it, apply the change, restart your browser, and you're done.

How to have a clean desktop using only right-clicking in Windows 11

Beyond the context menu itself, one of the biggest daily headaches is the desktop full of icons.Documents, folders, downloads Loose files, old installers… it's all mixed up there. Windows 11 doesn't help much out of the box, because its initial configuration tends to leave several things visible on the desktop.

The key to having a clutter-free environment is changing the way you use your desktop.Stop viewing it as a permanent storage space and turn it into a temporary area, or use it only as a "control panel" with a few key access points. Right-clicking is your best ally for this.

Use a single "container" folder to organize your chaos

Instead of filling the desktop with folders like Personal, Music, Pictures, Games, Projects, To Do, etc.You can simplify everything into a single main folder. Inside it, yes, you can organize by subfolders, but outside of it you only see an icon.

The process is very simple: right-click on an empty space on the desktop and choose "New → Folder"Give it a name that's clear to you, something like “Tidy desk” or similar, and drag in all the folders and files that you have scattered across the screen.

Within that main folder you can create your thematic subfoldersWork, studies, bills, multimedia, games—whatever you need. This way, you keep everything organized, but your desktop itself remains clean with only one icon visible.

A useful trick is to pin that main folder to the File Explorer sidebar.Right-click on it and look for the option to pin it to quick access. This way, it will always be available from any browser window, without needing a desktop icon if you don't want one. You can also follow specific guides for configure save paths and avoid random downloads on the desktop.

If you want to go a step further, you can configure save paths for certain programs or the browser to point to subfolders within that containing folder.This prevents your desktop from getting filled with new files every time you download or save something.

Minimalist desktop: goodbye icons, hello productivity

Once you've put everything in your main folder, you can add the final touch: leaving your desktop completely empty.Many users prefer it this way because it reduces distractions and helps with focus.

Even the Recycle Bin can be hidden from the desktop. To do so, go to Settings → Personalization → Themes → Desktop icon settings and uncheck the icons you don't want to see, including the Recycle Bin. It will still be there, but you'll open it from the Start menu or by searching for it by name. If you prefer other hiding techniques, there are tricks for hide icons quickly.

Something similar happens with applications: you don't need to have all the shortcuts on the desktop.Right-click on the apps you use most often and select “Pin to Home” o “Pin to taskbar”That way you have them just a click away without cluttering your screen with icons.

The Start menu layout can also be adapted to complement this clean desktop.. In Settings → Personalization → Home You can adjust the icon density (more elements), enable the display of most used applications, and disable content recommendations that are just in the way.

And if you don't want to rely on the Windows icon to open the Start menuRemember that you can use the shortcut Ctrl + EscIt's very convenient for accessing the program list without having to move the mouse to the corner of the screen.

More efficient taskbar and start menu

The clean desktop is completed with a noise-free taskbar and start menuThere's no point in clearing your desktop if your taskbar is then full of icons and your Start menu is cluttered with shortcuts you never use.

You can create app "folders" directly in the Start menuPress and hold an app icon and drag it onto another related app (for example, two office suites). This will create a group that acts as a container; when you open it, you can name it and add more related apps.

On the taskbar, a good starting point is to disable everything you don't need.Right-click on the bar and enter Taskbar settingsFrom there you can disable Widgets, search bar if you don't use it much and Task view if it doesn't benefit you.

For an even greater sense of space, you can enable the option to automatically hide the taskbar.In the bar's behavior section, select the appropriate setting so that it only appears when you move the mouse to the bottom of the screen.

The result of all these changes is an almost “zen” desktop.: no icons, no bars full of things you don't use, and quick access to what's important via right-click, Start menu, or well-selected pinned shortcuts.

How to customize the "New" list when right-clicking

Another fairly common complaint, in both Windows 10 and Windows 11, is that the "New" submenu from the right-click menu accumulates options you never use.: documents from programs you no longer have installed, file types you're not interested in, and entries that are just in the way.

Out of the box, Windows includes things like "New → Text Document", "New → Bitmap Image", and a few more templatesThen, each application you install can add its own document types to that list. ThereThe menu can become very long and impractical.

To customize it to your liking and only show the options that are actually useful to you, you need to access the registry again.Each type of file that can be created from "New" is defined by a key in the system registry, usually under those associated with file extensions.

In Windows 10 and 11, these entries are usually found within HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and in the user branches (HKEY_CURRENT_USER → Software → Classes)The file types that appear under “New” have a value or subkey called something like ShellNew which indicates that this type of file should be offered as a template.

The general procedure for "cleaning" the New menu involves locating the extension you want to remove. (for example, .bmp, .rtf, .zip, etc.), open its corresponding key and delete or rename the subkey ShellNewBy doing so, the system stops showing that option in the "New" menu.

You can also do the opposite and create new entries. For file types you use frequently, correctly defining the ShellNew key and value (for example, specifying an empty template file or a minimum size) will make new direct creation options appear in the context menu.

It's a somewhat more technical and delicate process than simply changing the classic menu.So if you're not comfortable editing the registry, it's a good idea to back up the registry or create a system restore point before messing with these keys.

As a more user-friendly alternative, power toys It facilitates the management of templates and file-related actionswithout having to delve too deeply into the Registry. While it doesn't completely replace all the operations you would perform manually, it does cover many typical context menu customization scenarios and improves the overall experience of creating files using the right-click menu.