Upgrading to Windows 11 can feel a bit strange sometimes, especially if you’re used to that good old right-click menu. The new context menu looks tidy, but honestly, it’s like jumping through extra hoops just to get to some options. The good news is, there’s a handy trick to make the “Show more options” menu pop up automatically—no extra clicks needed. It involves editing the Registry, which might sound a bit daunting, but if you take it slow and follow along, it’s straightforward. This fix basically rolls back some of the new menu behaviour and makes it more like Windows 10, so you get all the options straight away—pretty handy if the new layout’s doing your head in.
Windows 11: How to Show More Options by Default
It’s one of those tweaks where you might think, “Why does Windows make it so bloody complicated?” But once you get the hang of it, it only takes a few minutes. The idea here is to tweak a registry key so the classic context menu appears instantly, instead of the streamlined, simplified version. It works when you right-click and see a “Show more options” button—if that bugs you, this is for you. Expect it to kick in pretty much straight after a reboot, though sometimes a quick restart does the trick.
Open the Run Dialog Box
- Press Windows key + R. That should pop open a tiny window in the bottom left or middle of your screen—depends how your setup is.
Great for quick access to system tools. Because of course, Windows has to make it a bit more tricky than it needs to be.
Type regedit and Hit Enter
- In the Run box, type
regedit—that’s the Registry Editor. When it opens, you might get a prompt asking if you’re sure—that’s standard UAC stuff. Click “Yes”.
This is where the magic happens. The registry holds heaps of system settings, and tinkering with these can change how Windows acts—sometimes unexpectedly, so steer a bit carefully. On one setup, it worked straight away; on another, it took a couple of reboots to work properly.
Navigate to the CLSID Path
- In Registry Editor, go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID.
If you’re not familiar, CLSID is like an address for specific system features. Here, you’ll be adding a new key to change the menu’s behaviour.
Create a New Key
- Right-click on CLSID, select New > Key, and name it
{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}.
This step tricks Windows into reverting to the old, full menu by default. Like telling Windows, “Hey, show me all the options right off the bat.” If nothing happens immediately, give it a reboot. Sometimes the registry needs a little kick to stick.
Create a New Subkey
- Right-click your new key, choose New > Key, and name it
InprocServer32.
This subkey completes the tweak. Without it, the change might not kick in. Windows can be a bit finicky sometimes.
Set the Default Value
- Click on InprocServer32, then double-click the (Default) on the right. Leave the data field blank, then hit OK.
Leaving that value blank is the secret sauce—it’s like flipping a switch without extra instructions. Doing this tells Windows to stick with the classic menu behaviour.
Once you’ve sorted all that out, restart your PC. After the reboot, right-click any folder or file and you should see the full menu pop up instantly. No more “Show more options” clutter. It’s a small tweak, but for everyday use, it saves a couple of taps each time.
Tips for Windows 11: Show More Options by Default
- Back up your registry before diving in—because, of course, Windows has to make it a bit more complicated than just flicking a switch.
- If you want to undo this tweak, just delete that {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} key you made. Easy as.
- Not confident fiddling with the registry? There are programs like Winaero Tweaker that can do this for you without getting into the registry itself.
- Keep Windows updated; sometimes these tweaks get overwritten or stop working after big updates.
- If you’re new to the new context menu, have a squizz at it—you might find it more efficient once you get to grips with the layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go back to the old Windows 11 menu style?
Sure can. Just delete that registry key you created earlier, then restart. Easy as pie.
Is editing the registry safe?
It’s fine if you’re careful—double-check what you’re changing. It’s a good idea to make a system restore point just in case.
Will I need to reboot for the changes to take effect?
Most of the time, yep. Sometimes logging out and back in helps, but a restart always does the trick.
Will this slow my system down?
Not really, but messing around with the registry always carries some risk. Just follow the instructions, and you’ll be right.
Anything else I should try if it’s not working?
There are third-party apps that can fix this without touching the registry, if that’s your thing. Also, keep an eye on Windows updates—they sometimes add toggles for this sort of stuff.
Summary
- Open Run with Windows key + R.
- Type
regeditand press Enter, then head to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID. - Create a new key with the GUID
{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}. - Add a subkey called
InprocServer32. - In that, set the default value to blank.
- Restart your PC, right-click, and enjoy full options straight away!
Wrap-up
This tweak isn’t exactly fancy, but it genuinely puts the right-click menu back to how it was in Windows 10, which is a pretty big help if you’re over the extra click. Just remember, fiddling with the registry always carries a bit of risk, so back everything up first. Once sorted, you’ll get quicker access to all the options—nice and handy if you prefer the older setup. Hopefully, this saves someone out there a few hours and makes your workflow smoother. Good luck, and happy clicking!