How to Restore the Classic Right-Click Menu in Windows 11

To restore Windows 11’s classic right-click menu, use `Shift`+right-click or `Shift`+`F10` for a single task, or add the `InprocServer32` Registry key described below to make the classic menu the default. The Registry method affects File Explorer and the desktop. Back up the Registry first, follow the command exactly, and do not delete unrelated Registry keys.

Check whether you need a permanent change

If you need the full menu only occasionally, use the temporary method and leave the Registry unchanged. In File Explorer or on the desktop, hold Shift while right-clicking an item. Windows opens the classic context menu immediately.

You can also select an item and press Shift+F10. This opens the classic menu for the current action only; the next ordinary right-click still uses Windows 11’s compact menu.

Use the Registry method in the next section if you want the classic menu to appear by default in File Explorer and on the desktop.

Before starting, have these ready:

• A Windows 11 account with permission to edit its user Registry settings.
• A Registry backup saved somewhere you can find later.
• Any unsaved work closed before restarting Windows Explorer.

The Registry controls Windows settings. Back it up first, and do not delete or modify Registry keys unrelated to this change.

Make the classic menu appear by default

The setting uses an empty InprocServer32 key under this path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32

Command Prompt is less error-prone than creating the key manually because the command creates the exact path and leaves the key’s default value empty.

1. Open Start, type Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. Approve the User Account Control prompt if Windows displays one.
2. Run the command below.

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

3. Confirm that Command Prompt reports that the operation completed successfully. The command creates the InprocServer32 key if it does not already exist.
4. Restart Windows Explorer so it reloads the shell setting. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, find Windows Explorer, right-click it, and choose Restart. The taskbar and open File Explorer windows may disappear briefly before returning.

If Explorer does not refresh the menu, restart the PC instead. A full restart reloads the setting for the Windows shell.

Confirm the old menu is working

After Windows Explorer restarts, check the setting in File Explorer and on the desktop:

1. Right-click a file in File Explorer. The full classic menu should appear without Show more options.
2. Right-click a folder. Its familiar commands should appear directly.
3. Right-click an empty area of the desktop. The classic desktop context menu should appear there as well.

If the compact menu still appears, make sure you restarted Windows Explorer, not just the Command Prompt window. If that does not fix it, restart Windows and test again. The change applies to the current user because it is stored under HKEY_CURRENT_USER; other Windows accounts on the same PC are not changed by this command.

Undo the change if you prefer Windows 11’s menu

To restore Windows 11’s default context menu, delete only the InprocServer32 key that you added. Do not delete the parent CLSID key or any neighboring entries.

The command below permanently removes the specified Registry key. Check the path carefully before running it, and keep your Registry backup available.

1. Open Command Prompt or Windows Terminal. Administrator approval is normally not required for this HKEY_CURRENT_USER change, but approve a prompt if Windows requests it.
2. Run the reversal command.

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

3. Restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager by right-clicking Windows Explorer and selecting Restart, or restart the PC.
4. Right-click a file, folder, or empty desktop area. Windows 11’s compact menu should be back, with additional commands available through Show more options.

If you used Registry Editor instead of the command, open HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}, delete only InprocServer32, and then restart Explorer.

Conclusion

For occasional access, use `Shift`+right-click or `Shift`+`F10`; neither changes Windows permanently. To make the classic menu the default, add the specified `InprocServer32` key, restart Windows Explorer, and verify the menu in File Explorer and on the desktop. Keep the Registry backup until the result is satisfactory, and use the reversal command to return to Windows 11’s compact menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this change affect every user account on the PC?

No. The command writes under `HKEY_CURRENT_USER`, so it changes the context menu only for the account that runs it. Other user accounts keep their own settings.

Do I need to restart the whole computer?

Usually, restarting Windows Explorer is enough. If the compact menu remains, restart Windows so the shell reloads the Registry setting completely.

Can I use the classic menu without changing the Registry?

Yes. Hold `Shift` while right-clicking, or select an item and press `Shift`+`F10`. The classic menu opens for that action only, and the Registry remains unchanged.