Solved Reg Hack to get old context menu no longer works

glasskuter · Sep 18, 2021

With the latest build of Windows 11 (22000.168) the registry hack to get back the old right click context menus no longer works for me. Just wondering if it's the same for the rest of you who may have been using it. For the most part I can take 11 or leave it since the only 2 things I detested was the clunky toolbar that replaced the file explorer ribbon and the right click menus. The hack for the ribbon held in the latest build but the context menu didn't.

Ghot · Sep 18, 2021

glasskuter said:
With the latest build of Windows 11 (22000.168) the registry hack to get back the old right click context menus no longer works for me. Just wondering if it's the same for the rest of you who may have been using it. For the most part I can take 11 or leave it since the only 2 things I detested was the clunky toolbar that replaced the file explorer ribbon and the right click menus. The hack for the ribbon held in the latest build but the context menu didn't.

The reg hack broke before .168

But yeah, we're all waiting for a new tweak to fix both those things.

The-Hive · Sep 18, 2021

glasskuter said:
With the latest build of Windows 11 (22000.168) the registry hack to get back the old right click context menus no longer works for me. Just wondering if it's the same for the rest of you who may have been using it. For the most part I can take 11 or leave it since the only 2 things I detested was the clunky toolbar that replaced the file explorer ribbon and the right click menus. The hack for the ribbon held in the latest build but the context menu didn't.

I never tried the context hack, like you the explorer one still works. My big gripe apart from the context menu is not being able to see the folder contents. With the way I work it is a step backwards so I will not be putting it on my main machine any time soon but will defo keep it on 2nd machine.

Slavic · Sep 18, 2021

Apparently you want something like this:

It's a known "Undocking" Registry modification, but beware: it will return the classic 10-like taskbar which will be initially almost empty. You will have to add the icons and start menu by yourself. Not too hard, but need some work and third party menu like Open Shell.

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell\Update\Packages]
"UndockingDisabled"=dword:00000001

AndreTen · Sep 24, 2021

New version of Winaero Tweaker claims it can do this:

With Winaero Tweaker 1.32 you can now enable the classic (full) context menus on Windows 11. Just turn on the checkbox and restart the Explorer.

Winaero Tweaker 1.32 is here, a minor update with major changes

I am releasing Winaero Tweaker 1.32. I have fixed two of its options and added a new one. Here are the changes. With Winaero Tweaker 1.32 you can now

winaero.com

Josey Wales · Sep 24, 2021

AndreTen said:
New version of Winaero Tweaker claims it can do this:

Winaero Tweaker 1.32 is here, a minor update with major changes

I am releasing Winaero Tweaker 1.32. I have fixed two of its options and added a new one. Here are the changes. With Winaero Tweaker 1.32 you can now

winaero.com

Worked like magic. Thanks Andre!

Ghot · Sep 24, 2021

AndreTen said:
New version of Winaero Tweaker claims it can do this:

Winaero Tweaker 1.32 is here, a minor update with major changes

I am releasing Winaero Tweaker 1.32. I have fixed two of its options and added a new one. Here are the changes. With Winaero Tweaker 1.32 you can now

winaero.com

Nice. Works like a charm. Everything else seems to be unaffected. :)

Just to make sure... I rebooted, then ran SFC. The right click context menus, still work.

How this tweak works <------ How to do it manually.

/edit

Before making a fresh backup I also ran CCleaner, and it's reg cleaner. The context menus still work.

AndreTen · Sep 24, 2021

Josey Wales said:
Worked like magic. Thanks Andre!

You should take the author

Hope the new tweak will stick

Whackbag · Sep 24, 2021

How-To: Disable new context menu, Explorer command bar

No 3rd-party apps or patches or whatever, just a simple registry value. Restart Explorer shell to take effect.

Disable new context menu:
reg.exe add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f /ve

Restore new context menu:
reg.exe delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}" /f

Disable Explorer command bar:
reg.exe add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}\InprocServer32" /f /ve

Restore Explorer command bar:
reg.exe delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}" /f

Josey Wales · Sep 25, 2021

AndreTen said:
You should take the author
Hope the new tweak will stick

I did.

Wisewiz · Oct 3, 2021

I don't understand why anyone had problems with the original tweak, since it's EXACTLY what Winaero 1.32 does. I'm on 22000.194, I did the tweak manually on Friday, and it's working perfectly.

If you compare the originally posted tweak

How to Get Full Context Menus in Windows 11

with the explanation at Winaero for what it does in the registry

How to Enable Full Context Menus in Windows 11

you'll find they're identical.

Oh, and Whackbag's registry edit with a command does EXACTLY the same thing.

Check it out.

Wisewiz · Oct 3, 2021

Well, it occurred to me after I posted #11 above that maybe the "reg Hack" OP was referring to in #1 was not the original one I posted. Maybe. Otherwise, OP was mistaken. We now have several threads on this issue, and all cover the same exact registry change, whether it's done by command, through Winaero Tweaker, or manually. It just works.

Reg Hack to get old context menu no longer works

Bringing back the old right click context menus?

Dislike the two-page context menus? Get the full one back.

The sources are

How to Get Full Context Menus in Windows 11

How to Enable Full Context Menus in Windows 11

and Whackbag's very straightforward command script

reg.exe add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f /ve

I just hope people are picking up on this far and wide, because a lot of us are agreed that the two-click context menu is one of the silliest mistakes MS has made in Win 11.

lexster · Oct 3, 2021

Wisewiz said:
because a lot of us are agreed that the two-click context menu is one of the silliest mistakes MS has made in Win 11.

Could not agree more. While I can see the appeal of it for people who are casual users, enthusiasts, power-users and professionals all seem to agree that it is very irritating!

Edwin · Oct 3, 2021

lexster said:
...all seem to agree that it is very irritating!

Hell!!! For any traditional Desktop user, it's extremely irritating!!!

lexster · Oct 3, 2021

Edwin said:
Hell!!! For any traditional Desktop user, it's extremely irritating!!!

To be fair, not everyone dislikes it. The context menu is nice looking and well designed, it's easy to see what they're trying to do. However, they needed to blend the new design into the existing functionality.

larc919 · Oct 3, 2021

lexster said:
To be fair, not everyone dislikes it. The context menu is nice looking and well designed, it's easy to see what they're trying to do. However, they needed to blend the new design into the existing functionality.

What was wrong with the old one (Win 10 version)? I've always heard if it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's evidently a very hard lesson for some people to learn.

Edwin · Oct 3, 2021

lexster said:
... not everyone dislikes it...

I don't care about anybody else, I only selfishly care about my own desktop, and I ain't right clickin twice!!! End of story!!!

Wisewiz · Oct 4, 2021

Let's close this out with this note: See Shawn Brink's latest tutorial

Disable "Show more options" context menu in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable having to click on "Show more options" to see the full context menu for your account or all users in Windows 11. When you right click on an item in Windows 11, you will see a new modern condensed context menu with Show more options...

www.elevenforum.com

Try3 · Oct 6, 2021

Slavic said:
Apparently you want something like this:

View attachment 8175

It's a known "Undocking" Registry modification, but beware: it will return the classic 10-like taskbar which will be initially almost empty. You will have to add the icons and start menu by yourself. Not too hard, but need some work and third party menu like Open Shell.

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell\Update\Packages] "UndockingDisabled"=dword:00000001

Slavic,

That's an interesting idea.

You said it was "known".
- Does that mean it has been discussed in other ElevenForum threads? I'd like to read them if you have kept any links [I didn't turn up anything in searching].
- I'd like to know about other people's experiences of doing this.

My particular interest will be whether or not right-clicking the "classic 10-like taskbar" allows Taskbar Toolbars to be added. The lack of them is my most serious concern about using Windows 11.

Yours in hope,
Denis

dacrone · Oct 6, 2021

Try3 said:
Slavic,

That's an interesting idea.

You said it was "known".
- Does that mean it has been discussed in other ElevenForum threads? I'd like to read them if you have kept any links [I didn't turn up anything in searching].
- I'd like to know about other people's experiences of doing this.

My particular interest will be whether or not right-clicking the "classic 10-like taskbar" allows Taskbar Toolbars to be added. The lack of them is my most serious concern about using Windows 11.

Yours in hope,
Denis

Yes, it allows taskbar toolbars but also breaks the start menu. At this moment, the best solution to get what you are describing and not break anything else is to use StartAllBack (startisback) and enable the Advanced Taskbar.

StartAllBack to fix all Windows 11 deal-breaking UI issues

StartAllBack restores taskbar, start menu, context menus, explorer, sanity, style and order!

www.startallback.com

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How-To: Disable new context menu, Explorer command bar