Add or Remove Open with Context Menu in Windows 11 Tutorial

Jan 15, 2023

Staff

This tutorial will show how to add or remove the Open with context menu for all users in Windows 11.

The Open with context menu allows you to choose an app to open a file with by default.

The "Open with" context menu is only available when a single file is selected, and not available when multiple (more than one) files are selected.

You must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove the "Open with" context menu.

EXAMPLE: "Open with" context menu

Here's How:

1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.

2 Add "Open with" context menu for All Users

This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Add_Open_with_context_menu_for_all_users.reg

Download

(Contents of REG file for reference)

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Open With]
@="{09799AFB-AD67-11d1-ABCD-00C04FC30936}"

3 Remove "Open with" context menu for All Users

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Remove_Open_with_context_menu_for_all_users.reg

Download

(Contents of REG file for reference)

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Open With]

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

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

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

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

That's it,
Shawn Brink