by Choose any of the three methods.
In Windows 11, Microsoft has implemented 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 like in the good old days – using only muscle memory.
Luckily, it's possible to bring back the familiar context menu from Windows 10. Here's how.
1. How to return 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 reload File Explorer, let it do so. -menju-v-windows-11-88c38c8.jpg” alt=”How to return the familiar context menu in Windows 11″ />
Now the Windows 11 context menu will look the same as in “top ten”, and it will become noticeably more familiar and more 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 "HKCUSoftwareClassesCLSID{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 reverse your decision, use the command
reg.exe delete “HKCUSoftwareClassesCLSID{86ca1aa0‑34aa‑4e8b‑a509‑50c905bae2a2}” /f
If the changes don't appear immediately, or if the wallpaper is reset on the desktop, a simple reboot will fix everything.
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 themselves.
Right-click on the Start menu and select Run, or press Win + R. In the window that opens, type regedit, press Enter.
In the registry editor, open the section (that is, the folder) in the sidebar at
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareClassesCLSID
Right-click on CLSID, select New → Section and enter the name {86ca1aa0‑34aa‑4e8b‑a509‑50c905bae2a2}. If there is already a folder with that name, you don't need to do anything.
Click on {86ca1aa0‑34aa‑4e8b‑a509‑50c905bae2a2} right click and similarly create subkey InprocServer32.
Left-click InprocServer32, then double-click the Default value and click OK without making any changes to the empty string.
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Reboot. Done, now the familiar menu is back in place.
If you want to use the menu from Windows 11 again, find the section in the registry editor again
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareClassesCLSID
< p>Delete the folder {86ca1aa0‑34aa‑4e8b‑a509‑50c905bae2a2} from there, then reboot.
