How To Make Windows 11 Show More Options by Default in the Menu

Upgrading to Windows 11 can be kinda weird sometimes, especially if you’re used to that classic right-click menu. The updated context menu looks cleaner, but honestly, it feels like extra hoops just to get to some options. Good news is, there’s a neat trick to make the “Show more options” menu show up automatically—no more extra clicks. It involves editing the Registry, which is a bit intimidating, but if you follow along carefully, it’s doable. This fix basically reverts some of the new menu behavior and makes it more like Windows 10, so you get all the functions right away—super handy if you’re annoyed by the new setup.

Windows 11: How to Show More Options by Default

This is one of those tweaks where you might wonder why Windows makes it so complicated, but once you get the hang of it, it’s just couple of minutes. The goal here is to tweak a registry key so that the classic context menu shows up instantly instead of the simplified, streamlined version. It applies when you open the right-click menu and see a “Show more options” button—if that bugs you, this is for you. Expect it to work pretty much immediately after a restart, though sometimes a reboot makes all the difference.

Open the Run Dialog Box

• Press Windows key + R. That should bring up a tiny window in the bottom left or center of your screen—depends on how your setup is.

Ideal for accessing system tools quickly. Because of course, Windows has to make it a little harder than necessary.

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—you know, standard UAC thing. Click “Yes”.

This is where the magic happens. The registry stores a boatload of system settings, and tweaking these can change how Windows behaves—sometimes in unexpected ways, so be careful. Fortunately, on one setup it worked right away, but on another, it took a couple of reboots to fully stick.

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 alter the menu’s behavior.

Create a New Key

• Right-click on CLSID, choose New > Key, and name it {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}.

This step sort of tricks Windows into reverting to the old, full menu by default. It’s like telling Windows, “Hey, show me all the options right away.” If nothing happens immediately, give it a reboot. Not sure why, but sometimes the registry needs a little kick.

Create a New Subkey

• Right-click your new key, select New > Key, and name it InprocServer32.

This subkey completes the tweak. Without it, the change might not apply. It’s weird how Windows works sometimes.

Set the Default Value

• Click on InprocServer32, then double-click the (Default) value on the right. Leave the data field blank, then hit OK.

Leaving that value blank is the key part—it’s like flipping an on switch without extra instructions. Doing this signals Windows to stick to the classic menu behavior.

Once you’ve done all that, reboot your PC. After the restart, right-click any folder or file and you should notice the full menu shows up immediately. No more “Show more options” clutter. It’s a small change, but honestly, for daily use, it saves a couple of taps every time.

Tips for Windows 11: Show More Options by Default

• Backup your registry before diving in—because of course, Windows has to make it a little more complicated than just clicking a toggle.
• If you decide to undo this tweak, just delete that {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} key you made. Easy.
• Not comfortable with registry edits? There are third-party tools like Winaero Tweaker that can do this without fiddling with the registry.
• Remember to keep Windows updated; sometimes these tweaks get overwritten or broken after updates.
• If you’re new to the new context menu, take a moment to get familiar with its layout—some folks find it more efficient once they understand it better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I go back to the original Windows 11 menu style?

Yep, just delete that registry key you created earlier, then restart. It’s reversible—no biggie.

Is editing the registry dangerous?

It’s safe if you’re careful—double-check what you’re doing. Backups are your friend. Make a restore point first, just in case.

Do changes require a reboot?

Usually, yes. Sometimes a quick log out and log in helps, but a restart makes sure everything’s clear.

Will this slow down my system?

Not really, but messing with the registry always has its risks. Stick to the instructions, and you should be fine.

Anything else to try if this doesn’t work?

Third-party apps can fix this too if registry edits scare you. Also, wait for Windows updates—sometimes they might include a toggle to switch back to classic menus.

Summary

• Open Run with Windows key + R.
• Type regedit and hit Enter, then navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID.
• Create new key with the GUID {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}.
• Add a subkey called InprocServer32.
• In that, set the default value to blank.
• Reboot, right-click, and enjoy full options by default!

Wrap-up

This tweak isn’t exactly elegant, but it legit makes the right-click menu act like Windows 10 again, which is kind of a game-changer if you’re tired of the extra click. Just keep in mind, editing the registry always carries some risk, so always do backups first. Once done, you’ll notice quicker access to all the right-click options—pretty nice if you’re used to the older setup. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone out there trying to get their workflow back. Good luck and happy clicking!