- Windows 11 introduces a reduced context menu for greater visual clarity and ease of use.
- The classic menu is still available and can be accessed via "Show more options" or using keyboard shortcuts.
- It is possible to restore the classic context menu using the Registry. Windows or specialized applications.
- The modifications are reversible and maintain compatibility after future operating system updates.
El context menu or right-click menu It's one of the most useful and long-standing tools found in any modern operating system, especially in the Windows ecosystem. If you've upgraded to Windows 11 or are curious to take full advantage of its new features, you'll have come across one of the most discussed transformations in this version: the new context menu that appears when you right-click The mouse is no longer the same as it always was. Microsoft has decided to give it a new twist in functionality and design, opting for a cleaner, more minimalist, and modern look, but sacrificing much of the immediate access to traditional options that we advanced users used so much.
You ask yourself What exactly is "extended right click"? and how can you Restore the classic menu or access all hidden functions in Windows 11? Then get ready, because here's the definitive, organized, and clear guide to understanding this feature in depth, its reasons, how to modify it in various ways, what risks it poses, and what alternatives there are if you want to get the most out of it without complicating your life.
What is the extended right-click menu in Windows 11?
With the arrival of Windows 11, Microsoft has redesigned the context menu that appears when we click on the desktop, a folder, file, or any other element of the system. The goal of this new menu is to make the experience cleaner, visually simpler, and focused on the most common tasks., thus avoiding the saturation of options that often seemed indecipherable, especially for novice users.
This decision has brought about two major changes:
- Simplified menu- You'll now only see a few basic options when you right-click. To access all the traditional functions, click "Show more options."
- Menu division: There are two context menus, the “modern” (new) and the “extended” (classic) one, which only appear if we click on that link or use the keyboard combination Shift + F10.
For many users, this measure represents a step backwards in productivity. We often need to use functions that have been relegated to the extended menu, such as third-party program utilities, advanced file options, or quick access to very specific actions.
Why has Microsoft changed the context menu?
Microsoft seeks with this redesign offer a more coherent visual experience with the new Windows 11 interface: rounded edges, subtle animations, and a polished aesthetic, but it also aims to avoid the chaos that comes with having a cluttered context menu after installing many programs. For the average user, the cleanliness is appealing, but advanced users and those who have been working with Windows for years have found a less efficient experience.
Microsoft's main reasons for this change have been:
- Avoid chaotic menus full of tools that are often not used.
- Facilitate the progressive integration of new applications in the modern context menu.
- Standardize the experience on different devices, especially those with touch screens.
This minimalist approach has generated a wave of requests and guides to restore the old menu. Productivity and custom weigh heavily on the user community, who have sought ways to return to the classic extended menu or at least access it more quickly.
Extended Context Menu: What Features It Includes and How to Access It
El extended or classic context menu It is the one that has existed in Windows for decades. It includes all the commands traditional Windows programs and also shows the options that many third-party programs automatically add (compressors, antivirus, imaging tools, etc.).
In Windows 11, this menu can be accessed in two ways:
- Right-click and click "Show more options" at the bottom of the modern context menu.
- Using the Shift + F10 combination after selecting the file, folder or item you want to manage.
This division assumes that There are two default context menus in Windows 11.: a modern one, which is the one that appears when you right-click, and an extended one (the classic one) that is accessed by the methods mentioned.
Advantages and disadvantages of the new context menu
As with any major change to the Windows interface, there's plenty of debate. Here's a summary of the pros and cons identified by the community and analysts:
- Advantages:
- Cleaner, more modern aesthetics, in line with the new Windows 11 design.
- Less confusion for new users due to less overload of options.
- Potential for customization in future updates.
- Drawbacks:
- Loss of productivity for advanced users having to access more menus to reach certain functions.
- Third-party programs are often left out of the modern context menu.
- The new menu is not always compatible with all previous extensions or customizations.
- The division can be confusing, especially if it constantly alternates between modern and classic functions.
How to Restore the Classic or Extended Menu in Windows 11: Available Methods
If you are someone who prefer to return to the classic context menu (the usual one, packed with all the options at once), you have several ways to do it. Let's carefully review the manual and automatic methods, pointing out the pros, cons, and steps in each case.
1. Change the context menu using the Registry Editor
The manual method par excellence for Restore the classic Windows 10 menu in Windows 11 is by touching the Windows Registry. This method is simple, but as always when touching the Registry, you should take extreme precautions, make a backup, and avoid improvising steps that aren't clear. You can also check out our tutorial on How to return to the classic menu in Windows 11.
Step by step:
- press Windows + R to open the "Run" window and type regedit. Press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Classes \ CLSID
- Right click on the CLSID folder and choose New > Clubs.
- Give it this exact name: {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}
- On the newly created key, right-click again, select "New" > "Key" and name it: InprocServer32
- Click the InprocServer32 folder, and in the right pane, double-click the default value ("Default"). Leave it blank and click OK.
- Restart the computer or Windows Explorer for the changes to take effect.
What do we get? Upon restart, right-clicking on any item will directly display the classic menu, without using "Show more options" or Shift + F10. To restore the original settings, simply delete the key.
Is it reversible? Yes, to return to the modern menu simply delete the key {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} from the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
Precautions: Before modifying anything, it is highly recommended to create a restore point from the Control Panel. This way, if something goes wrong, you can return the system to its previous state without loss of information.
2. .reg file to automate the process
If you are afraid of touching the Registry by hand, you can create a .reg file that automates the process of adding (or removing) the necessary key. This option is faster and prevents typing errors, and is also useful for those who want to prepare the process for future versions of Windows.
How is it done?
- Open Notepad and copy the code provided in the reliable tutorials (you can find them on several specialized websites).
- Save the file with the .reg extension (for example, “classic_menu.reg”).
- Double-click the file to run it. Confirm any security warnings.
- Restart your PC to see the change.
To revert this, you can create (or download) a .reg file that removes the added key. This will allow you to quickly switch between menus as you prefer.
3. Use third-party programs to restore the classic menu
If you prefer a more comfortable and graphical option, there are several free and secure applications that allow you to easily switch between the modern and classic menu, without having to manually touch the Registry. Among them, you can consult Tools to customize the menu in Windows 11 which facilitate the management of the context menu.
- Win 11 Classic Context Menu: Portable, lightweight utility in Spanish. Allows you to switch between menus with a single click and restart the browser to apply the changes.
- winaero tweaker: A popular customization tool, also free and ad-free. It allows for many more customizations beyond the context menu.
- Ultimate Windows Tweaker 5: focused on modifying many aspects of Windows 11 from a single interface, including the context menu but also other advanced sections.
- WinToys: available in the Microsoft Store. Among its many optimization and customization options, it allows Activate the "classic context menu" from the Modifications section. Just flip a switch, reboot, and you're done.
Positive points: These applications are typically easy to use, offer immediate reversibility, and allow for customization of other aspects of the system. They also tend to be updated to maintain compatibility with changes in future Windows updates.
Caution: Always download these programs from their official websites or the Microsoft Store to avoid modified or infected versions.
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