Wish you could see all the right-click options on Windows 11 without having to click “Show More Options” every single time? Well, there’s a way to tweak the settings so that you can get that classic Windows 10 context menu back, giving you all the choices upfront. By diving into the Windows Registry and making a couple of changes, you can ensure that the full menu appears when you right-click, saving you clicks and time. Keep in mind, though, that this involves editing critical system settings, so proceed with care.
How to Make Windows 11 Always Show More Options
Basically, this tweak modifies the registry so that Windows skips the “Show More Options” submenu altogether. It’s helpful if the default minimal right-click menu drives you nuts or wastes time reaching for functions you use all the time. Usually, you’d notice this if right-clicking a file or desktop feels like a two-step process. By doing this, the full context menu loads straight away. That said, this only works if you’re comfortable poking around the registry, because no, Windows doesn’t make it super obvious.
Step 1: Open the Registry Editor
Fire up the registry editor. Hit Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Might be a prompt asking for permission—click Yes. You should see the Registry Editor pop up. Be aware, messing around here can mess up your system if you aren’t careful, so it’s smart to back up first. Just in case.
Step 2: Navigate to the CLSID Key
Now, 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 contains system identifiers—kind of nerdy, but it’s what Windows uses to control how features work behind the scenes.
Step 3: Create a New Key
Right-click on CLSID, choose New, then Key. Name it {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} (exactly that, braces and all). On some Windows builds, this key changes how the context menu behaves, so this is the crucial part. If it’s not there or doesn’t work, double-check the spelling. The goal here is to override the default menu with a custom setting.
Step 4: Create a New Subkey
Select the new key you just made, right-click inside it, choose New > Key, and name it InprocServer32. This subkey controls some system registration details. On some systems, you might need to create additional keys or tweak other parts, but this one’s the main focus.
Step 5: Modify the Subkey
Click on 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 change tricks Windows into skipping the usual “Show More Options” submenu and loading the full menu directly.
Once you’ve made those changes, a system restart is necessary for the new behavior to kick in. After rebooting, right-click something—files, folders, desktop—and see if the usual full menu pops up immediately. Sometimes, doing a quick logoff or reboot helps if the menu doesn’t refresh right away, especially on some setups where Windows is stubborn.
Tips for Making Windows 11 Always Show More Options
- Always back up your registry before messing with it. You don’t want to brick your setup because of a typo.
- If this tweak screws things up, just delete the
{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}key and its subkeys. Reboot and it’s back to default. - Watch those paths and key names—typos here make the tweak useless or cause errors.
- Double-check your registry changes—Windows likes to hide some keys or change names based on updates, so what worked yesterday might not today.
- Remember, a quick Ctrl + Shift + Esc can open Task Manager if you just need to kill explorer and restart it instead of rebooting entirely—sometimes faster.
FAQs About Making Windows 11 Always Show More Options
Why should I use the Registry Editor?
Because Windows 11 kinda hides or simplifies certain features, and this tweak is one of those customizations that makes things easier if you’re used to the old way.
Is it safe to edit the registry?
If you follow instructions and back things up first, yeah, it’s pretty safe. But, of course, Windows has to make it needlessly complicated sometimes.
What if I make a mistake?
Berhaps undo the change by deleting the keys you created. Or, restore from a backup or system restore point. Don’t panic—just be cautious.
Can I undo this change?
Sure. Just delete that {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} key and reboot. It’ll go back to the default right-click menu.
Do I need to restart my PC?
Yup, Windows needs a reboot for the registry tweaks to take effect. No escaping that step here.
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, make a subkey named
InprocServer32 - Leave the (Default) string value blank, then reboot.
Conclusion
So yeah, just a handful of registry edits, and Windows 11 starts behaving more like the old days—full right-click menu right out of the box. Not exactly the most user-friendly process, but it’s not rocket science either. Once it’s set, you’ll wonder why it wasn’t the default in the first place. This little hack is a decent way to shave off a few seconds each day, especially if you’re always digging through menus.
Just remember that messing with the registry can be a little risky, so do it carefully. And if you want to undo it later? Just delete those keys and reboot. It’s all pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. Fingers crossed this helps someone save time and headaches down the line.