Ways to Keep Windows 11’s Context Menu Always Displaying “Show More Options”

Customizing the Windows 11 Context Menu: A Guide to Always Showing More Options

If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 11, you might have noticed some changes in the right-click context menu that can be quite frustrating. Many users share the sentiment that accessing the full range of options requires extra clicks. This, understandably, can disrupt your workflow and lead to unnecessary annoyance.

The default context menu in Windows 11 prioritizes a streamlined approach, presenting only a few options at first glance. To access the complete set of actions you’re used to, you typically need to select “Show more options.” But what if you could bypass this step altogether?

A Solution to Always Display More Options

While Windows 11 does not provide a built-in setting to make “show more options” the default view, there are a couple of workarounds you can consider. Here’s how you can ensure that your right-click context menu is more functional and tailored to your needs.

Method 1: Using the Registry Editor

1. Open the Registry Editor: Press Windows + R on your keyboard, type regedit, and hit enter.

2. Navigate to the Key: Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.

3. Modify the Key: Find the ExtendedUIHoverTime entry. If it doesn’t exist, you can create a new DWORD (32-bit) value and name it ExtendedUIHoverTime.

4. Set the Value: Change the value data to 0 to remove the delay for the secondary context menu.

5. Restart Your PC: Save your changes and reboot your computer for the new settings to take effect.

Method 2: Third-Party Software

If you’re cautious about making changes to the registry, you could explore third-party applications designed to enhance the Windows context menu. Tools like Classic Shell or Open-Shell can provide the familiar layout from earlier Windows versions, allowing you to easily access all available options right away.

Conclusion

While Windows 11’s context menu may initially seem streamlined, you can customize your experience to minimize interruptions in your workflow. Utilizing either the Registry Editor method or third-party apps can help you regain the functionality you desire in the right-click menu. Don’t let unnecessary clicks hinder your productivity—take steps to tailor your Windows experience to what works best for you!