Want the right-click menu on Windows 11 to show all the options without having to click “Show More Options” every time? No worries, mate. You can tweak the settings so the classic Windows 10 right-click menu comes straight up, giving you all the choices upfront. By diving into the Windows Registry and making a few changes, you can have the full menu pop up every time you right-click, saving you a bit of time and clicks. Just a heads-up, though — this involves editing some system files, so proceed carefully.
How to Make Windows 11 Always Show More Options
Basically, this tweak edits the registry so Windows skips the “Show More Options” submenu altogether. It’s handy if the default minimal right-click menu drives you nuts or you’re wasting time reaching for those extra options. You’ll notice this if right-clicking a file or on the desktop feels like a two-step process. Doing this makes the full context menu load up straight away. Just a reminder: you should be comfy poking around the registry because Windows doesn’t make it obvious, and messing around without care can cause issues.
Step 1: Open the Registry Editor
Fire up the Registry Editor. Hit Win + R, type regedit, then hit Enter. You might get a prompt asking for permission—click Yes. The Registry Editor will pop up. Fair warning — messing around here can cause problems if you’re not careful, so it’s a good idea to back up your registry first. Better safe than sorry.
Step 2: Navigate to the CLSID Key
In the left pane, head over to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID. On some setups, it’s easier to work under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, but for this tweak, the user-specific path is better. Think of CLSID as a folder that holds identifiers for system components — a bit nerdy, but it’s how Windows manages certain features behind the scenes.
Step 3: Create a New Key
Right-click on CLSID, choose New, then Key. Name it {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} (with the braces). This key changes how the right-click menu behaves on many Windows builds, so it’s a crucial step. If it’s not there or the name doesn’t match exactly, double-check your spelling. The goal here is to override the default menu with this custom setting.
Step 4: Create a New Subkey
Click on the new key you just made, right-click inside it, choose New > Key, and call it InprocServer32. This subkey handles some system registration info. Sometimes you might need to create other keys or tweak things further, but this one’s the main focus for this trick.
Step 5: Modify the Subkey
Select the InprocServer32 key, then in the right pane, double-click the (Default) string. Usually, the value data field is blank — leave it that way. Click OK. This simple edit tricks Windows into skipping the “Show More Options” submenu and loading the full menu directly.
Once you’ve done that, you’ll need to restart your PC so the changes take effect. After rebooting, right-click on files, folders, or the desktop, and see if the full menu appears straight away. Sometimes, a quick logoff or reboot helps if the menu doesn’t update immediately, especially on stubborn setups.
Tips for Making Windows 11 Always Show More Options
- Always back up your registry before fiddling with it. Better to be safe than sorry if you make a typo.
- If this tweak causes issues, just delete the
{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}key and its subkeys. Reboot, and it’ll go back to normal. - Watch out for typos in the paths and key names—they can make your tweak useless or cause errors.
- Double-check your registry edits, especially since Windows sometimes hides or changes keys after updates. What worked last week might not work now.
- If you just want to refresh the menu without restarting, try pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, then restart explorer — it’s faster than a full reboot sometimes.
FAQs About Making Windows 11 Always Show More Options
Why should I use the Registry Editor?
Because Windows 11 tends to hide or simplify some features, and this tweak brings back the good old way if you’re used to it from Windows 10.
Is it safe to edit the registry?
If you follow the instructions and back things up first, yeah, it’s pretty safe. But Windows can be a bit tricky sometimes, so just be careful.
What if I muck it up?
No worries — just delete the key {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} and a reboot should sort things out. Or restore from your backup or a system restore point if needed. Just stay calm and tackle it step by step.
Can I undo this change?
Absolutely. Just delete that key and reboot. The menu will return to normal.
Do I need to restart my PC?
Yup, Windows needs a reboot for the registry changes to kick in. No two ways about it.
Summary
- Open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID
- Create a new key called
{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} - Inside it, add a subkey named
InprocServer32 - Leave the (Default) string value blank, then reboot.
Conclusion
So there you have it — a few registry tweaks, and Windows 11 behaves more like the good old days, with the full right-click menu right there when you need it. It’s not the easiest process, but it’s not hard either. Once it’s done, you’ll wonder why it wasn’t set this way from the start. It’s a handy hack that saves a few seconds each day when you’re digging through menus. Cheers to that!
Just remember: messing with the registry can be risky if you’re not careful, so do it carefully. And if you want to undo it later, delete the keys and reboot. Easy as. Hope this helps some blokes or sheilas save a bit of time and hassle down the track.