Recent Update Royally Screwed Up Context Menu Transparency

gremlinkurst · Oct 28, 2023

There was an update yesterday, but that's not the offending update; the culprit is the update before that one. The problem is that whenever I summon the context menu by right-clicking a desktop or folder item, the context menu is clear, blending its entries and options with items in the background, making it virtually impossible to see and select the desired context menu component. I went into system settings and turned off all transparency effects, but that didn't help; the problem is still very much "alive."

Microsoft has a history spanning forty years of arbitrarily making changes to its operating systems while removing expert users' ability to fix the screw-ups that they make. How goddamned difficult is it to code a context menu that all users can actually see and use? There was no such problem with all the platforms between Windows 3.1 and Windows 10...and at first, with Windows 11. But then they just had to screw it up with the update before last, and failed to fix it with the update that followed.

Does anyone know how to remove Windows 11's ability to make the context menu transparent? I need the context menu to be completely opaque, so I can read and use it. There's an old saying: If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

I don't need an OS that sings and dances. I need an OS that works.

johnlgalt · Oct 28, 2023

Are you using any customization apps at all? StartAllBack, Explorer Patcher, etc.?

I'm not and I do not have this issue. And, since I don't recall anyone else mentioning this, it's not a widespread problem / issue.

Edwin · Oct 28, 2023

johnlgalt said:
... I don't recall anyone else mentioning this

I know what the OP is talkin about, I've witnessed it, but, that was probably 8 or 9 Builds ago!

Sir_George · Oct 28, 2023

gremlinkurst said:
There was an update yesterday, but that's not the offending update; the culprit is the update before that one. The problem is that whenever I summon the context menu by right-clicking a desktop or folder item, the context menu is clear, blending its entries and options with items in the background, making it virtually impossible to see and select the desired context menu component. I went into system settings and turned off all transparency effects, but that didn't help; the problem is still very much "alive."

Microsoft has a history spanning forty years of arbitrarily making changes to its operating systems while removing expert users' ability to fix the screw-ups that they make. How goddamned difficult is it to code a context menu that all users can actually see and use? There was no such problem with all the platforms between Windows 3.1 and Windows 10...and at first, with Windows 11. But then they just had to screw it up with the update before last, and failed to fix it with the update that followed.

Does anyone know how to remove Windows 11's ability to make the context menu transparent? I need the context menu to be completely opaque, so I can read and use it. There's an old saying: If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

I don't need an OS that sings and dances. I need an OS that works.

Anytime an update maybe the culprit, I suggest uninstalling the update; if, as you state, it was the update prior to the most recent remove both. If the issue is resolved, then wait for the next update release and see if the issue has been resolved in that release. Of course, you can endeavor to attempt solving the issue another way.

Elisyan · Nov 4, 2023

I wish my context menu was more transparent XD

Edwin · Nov 4, 2023

I'm done with all the transparency bull-

!
I wanna read menus, not look through them!

retiredat44 · Nov 4, 2023

MS doesn't give a carp about us, they can screw us and makes no difference to their fortunes

antspants · Nov 4, 2023

retiredat44 said:
MS doesn't give a carp about us, they can screw us and makes no difference to their fortunes

I seriously doubt that Microsoft is out to screw anyone. They just can’t seem to please everyone. Don’t ask me why, software settings can be as extensive as they want them to be. Microsoft seems to be on a path of minimalism, just the wrong minimals for a lot of us.

retiredat44 · Nov 6, 2023

antspants said:
I seriously doubt that Microsoft is out to screw anyone. They just can’t seem to please everyone. Don’t ask me why, software settings can be as extensive as they want them to be. Microsoft seems to be on a path of minimalism, just the wrong minimals for a lot of us.

they are out of touch with us.. they only answer to some left leaning (yes, can't go there)... and add things we don't need and don't fix other things... they don't listen.. is it on purpose? and the Win10 forever thing is bust too

antspants · Nov 6, 2023

I don’t see a satisfying alternative, not for me at least. So I press on and on the way, enjoy this forum and learning how to adapt.

gremlinkurst · Nov 10, 2023

johnlgalt said:
Are you using any customization apps at all? StartAllBack, Explorer Patcher, etc.?

I'm not and I do not have this issue. And, since I don't recall anyone else mentioning this, it's not a widespread problem / issue.

No. The only app I use that customizes Windows behavior is Default Programs Editor, a very small footprint program that determines what icons are used to represent specific filetypes. That program has nothing to do with this issue.

johnlgalt · Nov 10, 2023

A lot of us users who also run Insiders Preview builds have started putting together commands to run after Windows Update does some major updating to ensure garbage is not left over after updates.

Take a look at this thread: Windows 10 / 11 post WU installation cleanup script

The batch file is self running, and self elevating, meaning you can run it from anywhere, and it will automatically ask for admin privileges to run the commands in there via UAC.

Contrary to what you might think, these are helpful commands that I think everyone should be running after Windows Updates brings about any major update. My thread there is to help spread the word about it, get more community involvement to further improve it, but most of all - get everyone to start performing these cleanup functions regularly to reduce the chance of a Windows Update breaking things.