How to return the familiar context menu in Windows 11

In Windows 11, Microsoft has introduced a new context menu for the desktop and File Explorer. If earlier "Cut", "Copy" and "Paste" were located in the same order, now they are represented by icons. This does not allow you to perform file operations as in the good old days - using only muscle memory.

Fortunately, it is possible to bring back the familiar context menu from Windows 10. Here's how to do it.

1. How to bring back the old context menu in Windows 11 using a third-party program

The easiest way, which is suitable for beginners and those who do not want to bother. Download the free utility Windows 11 Classic Context Menu.

The program does not require installation, just extract it from the archive. At startup, the SmartScreen system application filter may work. Click More Details → Run Anyway. The program will now open.

Click Enable Win11 Classic Context Menu Style. The program will prompt you to restartConductor' let her do it.

Now the context menu of Windows 11 will look the same as in the "top ten", and will become noticeably more familiar and convenient.

If you wish, you can return the initial version by clicking Enable Win11 Default Context Menu Style in the program.

Download Windows 11 Classic Context Menu →

2. How to return the familiar context menu in Windows 11 using the command line

An option for those who do not want to download and install third-party programs. Open the Start menu and type "Command Prompt". Right-click on the found program and click "Run as administrator".

In the window that opens, enter the command

reg.exe add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0‑34aa‑4e8b‑a509‑50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f /ve

Press Enter. The message "Operation completed successfully" will appear.

Restart your computer and you will see that the context menu has become like in Windows 10.

If you want to cancel your decision, use the command

reg.exe delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0‑34aa‑4e8b‑a509‑50c905bae2a2}" /f

If the changes do not appear immediately or the wallpaper is reset on the desktop, a simple reboot.

3. How to bring back the old context menu in Windows 11 using the Registry Editor

This is for advanced users, those who want to do everything by hand.

Right-click the Start menu and select Run, or click Win+R. In the window that opens, enter regedit, press Enter.

In the registry editor, open the section (that is, the folder) in the sidebar at

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID

Press CLSID right-click, select New → Partition and enter a name {86ca1aa0‑34aa‑4e8b‑a509‑50c905bae2a2}. If folder with the same name already exists, nothing needs to be done.

Click on {86ca1aa0‑34aa‑4e8b‑a509‑50c905bae2a2} right click and create a subsection in the same way InprocServer32.

Press InprocServer32 left-click, then double-click on the value "Default" and click OK, without making any changes to the empty line.

Reboot. Done, now the familiar menu is back in place.

If you want to use the menu again from Windows 11, again find in the registry editor the section

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID

Delete the folder from there {86ca1aa0‑34aa‑4e8b‑a509‑50c905bae2a2}, then reboot.

Dmitry Sazhko