The Problem
Windows 11 file explorer right click for cut, copy, rename, share and delete appears in a ribbon which changes location depending on where your file or folder is navigationally on the screen. This is a big usability issue. It causes:
- Increased Cognitive Load
- Broken Consistency
- The "Middle Zone" Ambiguity
The Solution
I did this today. Let's walk through this carefully. We will use the graphical Registry Editor, which allows you to see every step you're taking. Follow these instructions exactly, and it will be perfectly safe.
Important Warning
The Windows Registry is a critical database. Editing it incorrectly can cause problems. However, this specific change is well-known and safe if you follow these steps precisely. Do not click on or change anything not mentioned in this guide.
Step-by-Step Guide to Restore the Classic Menu
Step 1: Open Registry Editor
Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the "Run" dialog box.
In the box, type regedit and click OK (or press Enter).
A User Account Control window will pop up asking, "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?". Click Yes.
The Registry Editor window will now be open.
Step 2: Navigate to the Correct Location
This is the most important step. The easiest way to avoid getting lost is to use the address bar at the top of the Registry Editor window.
Select and copy the entire path below:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSIDIn the Registry Editor window, click once in the address bar at the top (it might currently say "Computer"). This will highlight the current path.
Paste the path you just copied into the address bar and press Enter.
You will now be in the correct CLSID location.
Step 3: Create the First New Key
In the left-hand pane, you should see the CLSID folder highlighted. Right-click directly on the CLSID folder.
From the menu that appears, go to New -> Key.
A new folder-like icon will appear under CLSID, and its name will be highlighted for you to edit. You must name it exactly as follows. It's best to copy and paste it.
{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}Press Enter to confirm the name.
Step 4: Create the Second New Key
Now, in the left-hand pane, right-click on the new key you just created ({86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}).
From the menu, again go to New -> Key.
Name this new key:
InprocServer32Press Enter to confirm the name.
Step 5: Finalize the Change
In the left-hand pane, click once on the InprocServer32 key you just made.
Look at the right-hand pane. You will see a single entry named (Default).
Double-click on (Default).
An "Edit String" box will appear. Do not type anything in the "Value data" field. Just click OK, leaving it blank.
This action—setting the default value of this key to blank—is what tells Windows to use the old menu.
Step 6: Restart to Apply the Change
The change will not take effect until Windows Explorer is restarted. The easiest and surest way to do this is to simply restart your computer.
Alternatively, you can use Task Manager:
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
In the "Processes" tab, scroll down and find Windows Explorer.
Right-click on Windows Explorer and choose Restart. Your screen will flash for a moment, and your taskbar will reload.
That's it! Once you've restarted, right-click on any file or folder. You will now see the full, classic Windows 10 context menu every time.
How to Undo This Change (Revert to Windows 11 Menu)
If you ever want to go back to the default Windows 11 menu, the process is very simple:
Open Registry Editor (regedit) and navigate back to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID.
Find the key named {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}.
Right-click on that key and select Delete.
Confirm the deletion by clicking Yes.
Restart your computer or restart Windows Explorer.
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