How to Restore the Classic Windows 10 Context Menu in Windows 11

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Windows 11 introduced a new modern context menu, but if you prefer the classic Windows 10 version, you can easily bring it back using CMD or the Registry Editor. Here’s how:

Restore Classic Context Menu via CMD

  1. Press Win + X and select Terminal (Admin).
  2. Copy and paste the following command:
 reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f /ve
  1. Restart File Explorer using Task Manager:
    1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
    2. In the Processes tab, search for Windows Explorer.
    3. Right-click on it and select Restart.

Your context menu should now look like Windows 10.

Revert Back to Windows 11 Context Menu via CMD

  1. Open Terminal (Admin).
  2. Run the following command to remove the registry entry:
 reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}" /f
  1. Restart File Explorer using Task Manager (same steps as above).

Now, the default Windows 11 context menu is restored.

Enable Classic Context Menu via Registry Editor

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
  2. Navigate to:
 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID
  1. Right-click CLSID, choose New > Key, and name it: 
 {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}
  1. Inside this key, create another key named InprocServer32.
  2. Double-click (Default) in the right panel and leave its value blank.
  3. Restart File Explorer using Task Manager (same steps as above).

Now, the Windows 10 context menu should be enabled.

Revert to Windows 11 Context Menu via Registry Editor

  1. Open Registry Editor and go to:
 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID
  1. Find and delete the key:
 {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}
  1. Restart File Explorer using Task Manager (same steps as above).

Your Windows 11 context menu should now be back.

Conclusion

Restoring the classic Windows 10 context menu in Windows 11 is easy using either CMD or Registry Editor. If you ever want to switch back, simply follow the removal steps.

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