How to 'Show More Options' By Default in Windows 11 File Explorer

Windows 11 introduces a fresh user interface with a simplified right-click context menu in File Explorer. While this minimalist approach is designed for clarity and ease of use, some users prefer the detailed classic context menu from previous versions of Windows. If you'd like to restore the classic context menu in Windows 11, here are several methods to achieve that.

One way to bring back the classic context menu is by modifying the Windows Registry through the Command Prompt. This method doesn't require additional software and can be done with a few simple steps.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt with administrative privileges. Click on the Start Menu, type Cmd or Command Prompt in the search bar, and select Run as Administrator from the options.

Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, enter the following command and press Enter:

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

Step 3: Close any open File Explorer windows. Then, reopen File Explorer and right-click on any file to see if the classic context menu has been restored. If it's not visible immediately, consider restarting your computer to apply the changes.

If you decide to switch back to the default context menu of Windows 11, you can remove the registry changes you made earlier.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Click on the Start Menu, search for Cmd or Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator.

Step 2: Type the following command into the Command Prompt and press Enter:

reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}" /f

Step 3: Close all File Explorer windows and then reopen File Explorer. The new Windows 11 context menu should now be restored to your system.

Using a Third-Party Application

Another method to regain the classic context menu is by using a third-party tool called Winaero Tweaker. This free utility allows you to customize various hidden settings in Windows.

Step 1: Visit winaerotweaker.com and download the software. After the download is complete, extract the ZIP file and run the executable file to start the installation.

Step 2: During the installation, choose between a standard installation or portable mode, which allows you to use the software on other computers without reinstalling.

Step 3: Once installed, launch the Winaero Tweaker application.

Step 4: In the left pane of Winaero Tweaker, navigate to the Windows 11 section and select Classic Full Context Menus.

Step 5: On the right side, check the box next to Enable classic full context menus.

Step 6: Click on the Restart Explorer button at the bottom to apply the changes.

Step 7: After Explorer restarts, right-click on a file in File Explorer to see the restored classic context menu.

Reverting to the Default Context Menu: If you wish to return to the default Windows 11 context menu, simply uncheck the Enable classic full context menus option in Winaero Tweaker or click the Reset this page to defaults button at the top. Then, click Restart Explorer to apply the changes.

Adjusting the right-click context menu in Windows 11 allows you to customize your user experience to your liking. Whether you prefer the classic style or the new simplified version, these methods make it easy to switch between them.