How To Disable Show More Options in Windows 11 for a Cleaner Context Menu

How to Turn Off the “Show More Options” Feature in Windows 11

Disabling the “Show More Options” in context menus can seriously declutter the right-click experience in Windows 11. You know how frustrating it is to click and get buried in submenus? By simplifying this, it speeds up the navigation to those go-to options without the fuss. But you’ll need to dive into the Windows Registry for this one — which is kind of tricky. Make sure to back everything up because a wrong move here could cause some chaos.

Here’s the Rundown on Disabling the Feature

Start by navigating to the Start Menu — click that Windows icon or just hit the Windows key. This opens up your program hub. To edit the registry, you’ll need to launch the Run dialog. Just press Windows Key + R together, which pulls up a quick access point to system tools. From there, type in regedit and hit Enter. This launches the Registry Editor. And honestly, it’s a bit of a jungle in there.

Before diving in, go ahead and create a system restore point:

Open Start Menu > Settings > System > About > System Protection > Create a restore point.

Trust me, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Now in the Registry Editor, navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID. This part of the registry controls how your context menus behave. Expand those folders on the left and find your way there.

Next, you’ll need to create a new key. Right-click in the left pane, pick New > Key, and name it {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}. This identifier is like your magic wand for overriding that annoying right-click behavior. After that, right-click this new key, choose New > Key again, and name it InprocServer32. This little subkey will help direct Windows to change how it shows those context menus.

Now, double-click the (Default) value within the InprocServer32 key.

Make sure the Value Data box is empty — delete anything in there and hit OK. Voila, your right-click menu should now take you back to a more classic style, ditching that pesky “Show More Options.”

If you’re into PowerShell, there’s an easier way to do this via 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.

After running through all this, just restart your computer or log back in to see the changes in action. When you right-click now, that “Show More Options” should be MIA — sweet, right?
Pro tip: Automation fans can tweak this with a PowerShell script to streamline the process even more:

Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}" -Name "System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree" -Value 0

Helpful Tips for a Smooth Registry Edit

Before diving into registry edits, always back things up. It doesn’t hurt to have a safety net. Using Windows’ restore point can save a headache later if anything goes sideways. To set one up:

• Open the Start menu, navigate to Settings.
• Go to System > About.
• Select System Protection (located on the right).
• Hit Create under “Protection Settings” to save your current setup.

Editing the registry can sometimes lead to unexpected behaviors, so proceed with caution and really know what each change is about. Also, keep in mind that Windows updates could mess with these settings, so you might need to redo them later.

Feeling unsure? There are always tech forums or communities like Microsoft Community or TenForums where experienced users hang out. They can field questions and give advice on tricky spots. It’s nice to get some reassurance that your efforts won’t blow up your system.

Common Questions About Disabling “Show More Options”

What if I accidentally mess up the Registry?

If you make a boo-boo in there, it could wobble your system stability or, in the worst case, make it unbootable. That’s why creating a backup is crucial before any changes. Experienced users generally advise that you only dive in if you’re comfortable navigating this part of Windows.

Can I undo this if I want the original context menu back?

Yep, you can totally revert it! Just delete that key you made or reset the default values. To do it in Registry Editor, right-click on {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} and hit Delete. If you used the PowerShell route, just switch the System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree value back to 1. Always back it up first for easy reversion.

Any simpler ways to handle this without registry edits?

Unfortunately, Windows 11 doesn’t have native options in the settings to toggle this feature off. You’re stuck with manual registry editing for now. While some third-party tools scream they can help, it’s probably safer to avoid them, unless you want to gamble with system stability or security.

Will this change mess with my system performance?

Not at all! It’s just a visual tweak for how the context menu shows up. Your overall performance and speed won’t take a hit, making it a pretty safe change for anyone looking for a tidier interface.

Can I do other tweaks in the registry like this?

Sure thing! The Windows Registry lets you customize loads of features, not just the context menu. But, there’s a catch — every tweak carries risks. Make sure to do your homework on what changes you want to make. You can mess with things like Windows Defender’s GUI or change File Explorer’s behavior. Just remember: backup first!

Wrapping Up the Process

1. Launch Settings via the Start menu.
2. Open the Run dialog using Windows Key + R.
3. Type in regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
4. Create a restore point for safety.
5. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID.
6. Create that specific key: {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}.
7. Inside it, add the subkey InprocServer32.
8. Leave the (Default) value inside InprocServer32 empty.
9. Restart your PC to apply changes.

Diving into the Registry might feel a bit intimidating, but tweaking the right-click menus in Windows 11 can really personalize how the OS feels. Just remember to back up your settings before experimenting — that way, if things go sideways, it won’t be a total disaster. Returning to the classic context menu streamlines your workflow and reduces menu fatigue. For those interested in further customizations, communities online offer plenty of ideas, but always tread with caution. Enjoy making Windows your own!