Personalization Add or Remove "Open Linux shell here" Context Menu in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the "Open Linux shell here" context menu for all users in Windows 11.

When you install WSL in Windows 11, you can press the Shift key while right clicking on the background of a open folder or drive window to see and use the Open Linux shell here context menu.

When you use the Open Linux shell here context menu, it opens your default WSL distro shell in Windows Terminal at the current location.

This tutorial will also let you add the Open Linux shell here context menu for when you right click on a folder or drive, and click/tap on Show more options. This is in addition to the default of press the Shift key while right clicking on the background of a open folder or drive window.

Since Windows 11 already has a Open in Terminal context menu to use, you can remove the Open Linux shell here context menu if wanted without having to uninstall WSL.

While you must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove the Open Linux shell here context menu, all users can use the context menu.

EXAMPLE: "Open Linux shell here" context menu and Linux shell opened in Windows Terminal

This is the default setting.

This option will only let you see the "Open Linux shell here" context menu when you press the Shift key while right clicking on the background of a open folder or drive window.

1 Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.



(Contents of REG file for reference)

2 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

3 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

4 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

5 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

This option will let you see the "Open Linux shell here" context menu when you press the Shift key while right clicking on a folder, drive, or the background of a open folder or drive window.

1 Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.



(Contents of REG file for reference)

2 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

3 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

4 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

5 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

This option will let you see the "Open Linux shell here" context menu when you press the Shift key while right clicking on a folder, drive, or the background of a open folder or drive window.

This option will also let you see the "Open Linux shell here" context menu when you right click on a folder or drive, and click/tap on Show more options.

1 Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.



(Contents of REG file for reference)

2 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

3 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

4 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

5 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

This option will completely remove the "Open Linux shell here" context menu no matter which option above was used to add it.

1 Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.



(Contents of REG file for reference)

2 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

3 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

4 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

5 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink