How to Turn Off the “Show More Options” Feature in Windows 11
Turning off the “Show More Options” in right-click menus can make your Windows 11 experience much cleaner and quicker. Ever gotten annoyed clicking right and ending up navigating through endless submenus? Simplifying this process gets you straight to the options you need without the hassle. Just a heads-up — you’ll need to edit the Windows Registry, which can be a bit tricky. Be sure to back up your system first, because a wrong move could cause trouble.
The Quick Overview of How to Disable It
Start by opening the Start Menu — click the Windows icon or press the Windows key. This brings up your app launcher. To edit the registry, launch the Run prompt: press Windows Key + R together. In the box that appears, type regedit and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor. Fair warning — it’s a bit of a jungle in there.
Before making changes, it’s wise to create a system restore point:
Open Start Menu > Settings > System > About > System Protection > Create a restore point.
Better safe than sorry!
In the Registry Editor, navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID. This section controls how your context menus behave. Expand the folders on the left until you reach the right spot.
Next, you’ll create a new key: right-click on the left pane, select New > Key, and name it {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}. Think of this as your magic wand to disable the fancy menu. After that, right-click this new key, choose New > Key again, and name it InprocServer32. This subkey guides Windows to show the classic menu instead of the ‘Show More Options’ one.
Within the InprocServer32 key, double-click the (Default) value.
Clear out anything in the Value Data box — delete it all and press OK. Your right-click menu should now revert to the classic style, skipping the extra ‘Show More Options’.
If you’re comfortable with PowerShell, there’s an easier way to do this with commands too:
New-Item -Path "HKCU:\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}" -Force and
New-Item -Path "HKCU:\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" -Force.
Once you’ve followed these steps, restart your PC or log out and back in to see the effect. When you right-click now, the extra “Show More Options” won’t be there — nice and tidy!
Pro tip: If you like automating tasks, you can also use a PowerShell script to handle this more easily:
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}" -Name "System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree" -Value 0Helpful Tips for Editing the Registry Safely
Before messing around in the registry, it’s always a good idea to back things up. Creating a restore point can save you stress later if something goes awry. To set one up:
- Open the Start menu, go to Settings.
- Navigate to System > About.
- Click on System Protection (on the right side).
- Click Create under “Protection Settings” to save your current setup.
Bear in mind, editing the registry can sometimes lead to unexpected quirks, so proceed carefully and make sure you understand what each tweak does. Also, Windows updates might override these settings, so you may need to redo them later.
Not sure about what you’re doing? Forums like Microsoft Community or TenForums are full of experienced folks who can lend a hand. It’s always reassuring to get advice before making significant changes.
Common Questions About Turning Off “Show More Options”
What if I accidentally mess up the registry?
If you goof up there, it might cause your system to behave unpredictably or, in worst cases, prevent Windows from starting properly. That’s why backing up beforehand is vital. Only dive in if you’re comfortable navigating system tweaks.
Can I undo this if I decide I want the normal menu back?
Absolutely. Just delete the key you created or reset the default values. To remove it in the Registry Editor, right-click on {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} and select Delete. If you used PowerShell, restore the System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree value to 1. Don’t forget to back up first, so you can easily revert if needed.
Is there an easier way to do this without messing with the registry?
Native options aren’t available in Windows 11 for this yet, so registry editing is your go-to. Some third-party tools claim to help, but they can be risky — it’s best to stick with manual tweaks unless you’re adventurous and confident.
Will disabling “Show More Options” slow down my system?
Nope — this change is purely cosmetic. It won’t impact your system’s speed or performance, just the way the right-click menu appears. It’s a safe tweak for a more streamlined interface.
Can I make other tweaks like this in the registry?
Definitely! The Windows Registry is a treasure trove of customisations — from hiding certain features to adjusting how File Explorer behaves. Just remember: always back up before making changes, as mistakes can cause issues. Do a bit of research first, and proceed with caution.
Wrapping Up
- Open Settings from the Start menu.
- Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
regeditand hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor. - Create a restore point.
- Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID.
- Create the key:
{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}. - Inside it, add the subkey
InprocServer32. - Leave the (Default) value in
InprocServer32empty. - Restart your PC to see the changes take effect.
Playing around in the Registry can seem intimidating, but tweaking your right-click menus can make Windows feel more personalised. Just remember to back everything up first—better safe than sorry. Once set up, this tweak makes your menu navigation quicker and less cluttered. If you’re keen for more customisations, plenty of online communities share tips — just tread carefully. Have fun making Windows truly your own!