Forum Discussion
How to globally restore the old compact context menu in Windows 11?
In some applications, the old white compact right-click menu can still be seen, displaying more options in a dense layout. Is there a way to forcibly enable this old menu in all windows (especially File Explorer), instead of the new one?
5 Replies
Yes, Windows 11 introduced a more streamlined, modern context menu that replaces the classic right-click menu in many applications, including File Explorer. However, some users prefer the older, more detailed context menu for its additional options and familiar layout.
You may utilise the Registry Editor to proceed with the repair, then restart your computer to restore the previous version of the context menu.
Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).
Paste the following command and press Enter:
reg.exe add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f /ve
Restart your computer or restart Windows Explorer via Task Manager for the changes to apply.
You can force the old white compact right-click menu in Windows by editing the registry.
Alternatively, third-party tools can provide more control and customization.
Be cautious when editing system settings and always back up your registry beforehand.
The old white compact right-click menu in Windows, often referred to as the classic context menu, has been replaced by the newer, streamlined menu in recent Windows versions (like Windows 11). However, some users prefer the classic menu because it displays more options in a denser layout.
