How to Enable or Disable “Show More Options” in Windows 11

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Windows 11 brought many changes to the look and feel of the operating system. One noticeable change is the new right-click context menu, which is cleaner and more compact. However, this change left many users searching for a way to always show more options like in Windows 10. In Windows 11, when you right-click on a file, folder, or desktop, the menu now hides many advanced options under a secondary item called “Show more options”. To access the classic menu, you either click this option or press Shift + F10. For some users, this is fine, but many prefer to bring back the full right-click menu by default.

If you are wondering how to always show more options in Windows 11, or if you want to disable this feature, this guide will walk you through the steps. Whether you want to enable or remove “Show more options”, we will show you how to do it easily.

Why Microsoft Changed the Right-Click Menu

Microsoft redesigned the context menu to make it faster, modern-looking, and simpler. They believed that many users did not need the full list of commands every time. This was done to improve speed and focus on the most used options.

However, power users, developers, and regular users who are used to the Windows 10 style find it inconvenient to click extra or press shortcuts. Many want to set Windows 11 to always show more options with one right-click.

What is the “Show More Options” Menu?

In simple terms, the “Show more options” menu in Windows 11 is the classic right-click context menu from Windows 10 and earlier versions. In the new right-click menu, several advanced options are hidden by default.

For example, options like:

  • Send to

  • Create shortcut

  • Give access to

  • Restore previous versions

  • Properties (sometimes)

  • Custom app options

These do not appear directly until you click “Show more options” or use the Shift + F10 shortcut.

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Method 1: Use the Registry Editor to Show More Options by Default

This method helps you get the Windows 10-style right-click menu in Windows 11.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

  2. Go to this path:

objectivec
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID
  1. Right-click CLSID > New > Key and name it:

{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}
  1. Inside it, create another key named:

nginx
InprocServer32
  1. Click the InprocServer32 key and double-click the default value on the right.

  2. Leave the Value data blank, click OK, and restart your computer.

Result:

You will now see the full context menu by default when you right-click.

Method 2: Use a Free Tool (Winaero Tweaker)

If you are not comfortable editing the registry, use Winaero Tweaker, a safe tool that makes this easier.

Steps:

  1. Download Winaero Tweaker from the official website.

  2. Install and open the app.

  3. Navigate to:

mathematica
Windows 11 > Classic Full Context Menus
  1. Check the box Enable classic full context menus.

  2. Click Restart Explorer.

Result:

Right-click now shows the full options menu instantly.

Method 3: Use Shift + F10 to Show All Options Quickly (No Installation)

If you do not want to make permanent changes, you can still see all options using a shortcut.

Steps:

  1. Right-click on any item.

  2. Press Shift + F10 on your keyboard.

Result:

This brings up the full context menu just like Windows 10, but only for that moment.

Ideal For:

People who don’t want to edit registry or install tools but still want quick access.

Method 4: Restore Windows 11 Default Context Menu

If you previously enabled the classic menu and now want to return to Windows 11’s default menu, follow these steps.

Steps:

  1. Open the Registry Editor (Windows + R → type regedit).

  2. Navigate to:

objectivec
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID
  1. Delete the key:

{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}
  1. Close Registry Editor.

  2. Restart your PC or restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager.

Result:

Windows will go back to using the new compact menu, showing “Show more options” as usual.

Method 5: Create a Registry File for One-Click Toggle

Instead of editing registry settings manually, you can create a .reg file to switch between the new and old menu styles easily.

To Enable Full Context Menu:

  1. Open Notepad and paste:

reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}]
@=””

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32]
@=””

  1. Save it as EnableFullMenu.reg.

  2. Double-click the file and allow the registry change.

To Disable and Go Back to Default:

Paste this in Notepad and save as DisableFullMenu.reg:

reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

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

  1. Double-click this file to remove the setting.

Method 6: Use Command Line (PowerShell or Command Prompt)

Advanced users can use PowerShell or CMD to enable or disable “Show more options” without using the mouse.

To Enable Full Context Menu:

Open PowerShell as administrator and run:

powershell
New-Item -Path "HKCU:\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}" -Force
New-Item -Path "HKCU:\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" -Force
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" -Name "(default)" -Value ""

To Disable and Revert to Default:

powershell
Remove-Item -Path "HKCU:\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}" -Recurse

Additional Tips

  • You can quickly access the old menu anytime by pressing Shift + F10.

  • These changes only affect File Explorer and desktop right-click menus.

  • If you update Windows, you may need to redo the steps depending on future updates.

  • Always back up your registry before making changes manually.

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Why Enable “Show More Options” by Default?

Here are some reasons users prefer the full context menu:

  • Access to third-party app options like WinRAR, 7-Zip, or Notepad++

  • No need to click an extra option or remember shortcuts

  • Works better for power users and developers

  • Looks more familiar if you used Windows 10

Common Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Can I enable full context menu in Windows 11 without software?

Yes, you can use the Registry Editor method as described above. It is built into Windows and does not require third-party tools.

Q2. Is it safe to use Winaero Tweaker?

Yes, Winaero Tweaker is a trusted utility. Just download it from the official website and use it carefully.

Q3. Will these changes affect system performance?

No. The change only affects how the right-click menu looks. It does not use extra resources or slow down your system.

Q4. Can I undo the change if I don’t like it?

Absolutely. You can delete the registry key or uncheck the option in Winaero Tweaker to restore the default behavior.

Final Thoughts

The “Show more options” menu in Windows 11 is part of Microsoft’s effort to modernize the user experience. However, many users still prefer the traditional full context menu. Thankfully, there are safe and easy ways to enable or disable “Show more options” in Windows 11. Whether you are a casual user or someone who customizes their workflow, you now have full control over the right-click menu. You can make Windows 11 always show more options by default, or you can revert to the compact menu at any time. Take control of your experience and set it the way you prefer.

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