How to Stop Windows 11 From Hiding Favorite Menu Options?

Why Is Your Windows 11 Right-Click Menu Driving You Crazy? (Simple Fix Inside)

I know how maddening it feels when Windows 11 hides the tools you use every day. You right-click a file, and boom - half your options are gone. They're hiding behind that extra "Show more options" button. It's like having to open two doors just to get into your own house.

Let me walk you through exactly how I fix this problem. It takes about two minutes, and you'll never have to deal with that extra click again.

Why Windows 11 Changed Your Menu (And Why It's Bad)

Microsoft thought they were helping by making the right-click menu "cleaner." But here's what really happened:

• Your favorite apps disappeared from quick access
• Archive tools got buried
• Development shortcuts vanished
• Custom scripts became hard to reach

This slows down everything you do. I've watched people waste hours every week just because they have to click twice for simple tasks.

The Simple Fix That Actually Works

Here's the method I use on every Windows 11 computer I set up. It's safe, it's fast, and it works every time.

Step 1: Open Your Command Window

First, you need to open Command Prompt the right way. Don't run it as administrator - that's a common mistake that breaks this fix.

1. Click your Start button
2. Type "Command Prompt"
3. Click "Open" (not "Run as administrator")

This matters because the change needs to apply to your user account, not the admin account.

Step 2: Run the Magic Command

Copy this command exactly as I've written it:

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

Paste it into your command window and hit Enter.

What this does is create a special registry entry. Windows 11 checks for this entry when it builds your right-click menu. When it finds this empty entry, it says "Oh, I'll use the old menu instead."

Step 3: Restart Windows Explorer

Your computer needs to reload the file system to see the change. You have two ways to do this:

Quick Method:

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe

Easy Method:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Find "Windows Explorer" in the list
3. Right-click it and choose "Restart"

Step 4: Test Your New Menu

Right-click any file or folder. You should see all your options right away. No more "Show more options" button needed.

What If You Want the New Menu Back?

Sometimes you might want to switch back to the Windows 11 style. Maybe you're sharing your computer with someone who prefers it. Here's how:

1. Open Command Prompt as your regular user (same as before)
2. Run this command:

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

3. Restart Windows Explorer again

Your menu goes back to the Windows 11 default.

The Quick Trick for Work Computers

Can't edit the registry on your work computer? I get it. IT departments lock that stuff down tight.

Here's your workaround: Hold Shift while you right-click any file or folder. This shows you the full menu without any permanent changes.

You have to do this every time, but it works when you're stuck with restricted permissions.

Common Problems and How I Fix Them

The menu didn't change

• Close all File Explorer windows completely
• Try restarting your whole computer
• Make sure you didn't run Command Prompt as administrator

It stopped working after a Windows update

• This happens sometimes
• Just run the registry command again
• Microsoft occasionally resets these tweaks

You need this for multiple users

• The method I showed only works for your account
• For all users, you need administrator rights and different registry locations
• Most people don't need this - just fix your own account

Windows 11's hidden menu is one of those changes that sounds good on paper but makes real work harder. You shouldn't have to click twice to access tools you use every day.

This registry tweak brings back the menu you actually want to use. It's the same menu from Windows 10, with all your apps and options right where you expect them.

I use this fix on every Windows 11 computer I touch. It saves time, reduces clicks, and makes file management feel normal again. Your workflow will thank you for it.

The best part? If Microsoft ever fixes this properly, you can always switch back. But until then, this gets your computer working the way it should.