context menu Archives

Winsage

June 12, 2026

Popular Windows 11 file manager Files gets improved tags, layouts, and new OneDrive icon

Files, a third-party file manager for Windows 11, has been updated to version 4.1.3, introducing several enhancements: - A "View size" button for each folder allows users to calculate folder sizes easily without changing settings. - File selection is retained when switching between different layouts. - Tag management has been streamlined, allowing users to remove tags via the context menu, toolbar, or Command Palette. - The OneDrive icon has been updated to reflect the current version from the OneDrive executable. - Bug fixes include resolving issues with tar archive extraction, crashes on the Signatures page, ensuring the Play action for single media files, correcting Smart Extract functions, addressing tag search issues, refreshing thumbnails, and displaying previously hidden BitLocker-locked drives. - A new Tree View sidebar feature is planned for future updates, enabling navigation of folders in an expandable hierarchy. Files can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store (paid version) or accessed through its official website (free version).

Winsage

June 11, 2026

Microsoft refuses to add this File Explorer feature, so the Files app stepped up

The Files app has introduced a feature in version 4.1.3 that allows users to calculate folder sizes on demand, which was not available in Windows 11's File Explorer. Users can toggle this option in Settings, and when disabled, a View size button appears in the Size column for easy access. The app now retains selection across different layouts, ensuring previously selected items remain highlighted. It also offers multiple methods for clearing tags from files, including options from the context menu, toolbar, and Command Palette. Additionally, the update features a refreshed OneDrive icon that reflects current branding, and several fixes have been implemented, including resolving issues with extracting tar archives and correcting display problems for BitLocker locked drives.

Winsage

June 9, 2026

Microsoft reveals Windows 11 will bulk delete files at least 30% faster, and it’s only the start

Microsoft is working on enhancements for File Explorer on Windows 11 to improve speed and efficiency, particularly in batch file deletions. Internal testing is underway for a performance boost, with potential speed increases of over 30% for bulk deletions following an upcoming update. Other file operations, such as transfers and copies, are also set to become faster. The company aims to improve launch times, reduce flickering, and eliminate distracting flashes in dark mode. Users have already noticed faster launch times and better handling of file names and paths. Microsoft is testing a preloading feature for File Explorer and plans to revamp the right-click menu for faster loading and a streamlined appearance. Additionally, the company is exploring ways to minimize File Explorer’s memory footprint and modernize legacy elements. Microsoft plans to introduce up to 19 new features by 2026, including a movable taskbar and a customizable Start menu.

Winsage

June 7, 2026

It’s not just you: Microsoft says Windows 11’s right-click menu has been quietly slow for years

Windows 11's modern context menu has been criticized for being slower than Windows 10, especially for users with lower-end PCs. Enabling extensions like “Edit with Clipchamp,” “Edit with Notepad,” and “Ask Copilot” can cause delays, leading to misclicks. Microsoft has acknowledged these performance issues and is working on solutions. In March 2026, the company announced plans for a significant update to improve Windows 11, focusing on core functionalities. The right-click context menu has been a key area for improvement, with delays in loading options causing frustration. Microsoft confirmed that these delays are due to late-loading extensions and is testing a streamlined context menu that reduces vertical space by 25% or more. A new nested menu titled “Manage file” has been introduced to organize file-related operations. Additionally, Microsoft is developing a configurable context menu for user personalization, addressing previous customization limitations.

Winsage

June 5, 2026

Microsoft Promises Customizable Windows Right-Click Menus

Microsoft is working on a more efficient, streamlined, and customizable right-click context menu for Windows File Explorer and Desktop interactions, responding to user feedback about the cluttered nature of existing menus. The initiative aims to improve user experience by allowing customization, which marks a shift from Microsoft's previous rigid approach. Developers will need to adapt to new APIs and guidelines for context menu interactions, and there may be restrictions on the number of items that can be added. Performance improvements are also planned to address slow-loading context menus. The timeline for implementation is uncertain, but updates may first appear through Windows Insider testing channels. The changes are part of Microsoft's broader strategy to modernize Windows 11 and improve basic functionalities like file management and interface responsiveness. Customizable context menus could provide enterprise IT departments with new management options, and the initiative reflects Microsoft's awareness of competition from other operating systems.

Winsage

June 5, 2026

Windows 11’s right-click menu is finally getting more customizable, and it’s about time

Microsoft is introducing customizable options for the right-click context menu in Windows 11, allowing users to add, remove, and reorder items. This change aims to streamline the interface and improve usability by addressing concerns about the menu's clutter. Marcus Ash, the Design and Research Lead for Windows and Devices at Microsoft, confirmed that the context menu will load faster and feature simplified default settings. This update is part of Microsoft's broader K2 strategy, which includes a visual overhaul of legacy features, a vertical Taskbar, and enhancements to the Start Menu. A specific timeline for these updates has not been provided, but they are expected to roll out in the coming months.

Winsage

June 4, 2026

Windows 11’s cluttered and controversial context menus are going away

Marcus Ash, the Vice President of Design and Research for Windows & Devices, announced that Microsoft is committed to improving context menus in Windows 11 to make them "faster and simpler by default." The company is working on a more streamlined approach that allows users to customize their menus based on frequently used options. Microsoft has previously indicated a split context menu design that categorizes options by relevance, such as a dedicated "Photos" menu for image-related actions. The broader Windows K2 initiative aims to enhance the performance of context menus, although users still report inconsistencies across the operating system and its applications. There is anticipation for changes in File Explorer, including the possible removal of the AI actions section.

Winsage

June 4, 2026

In a shock move from nowhere, it seems Microsoft is finally giving Windows 11 users the ability to configure the right-click menu

Microsoft is enhancing Windows 11's right-click menu based on user feedback, aiming to make it faster and simpler by reducing the number of initial entries displayed. Users will have the ability to customize the context menu to show their most frequently used options. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve Windows 11, which includes plans to revamp the Start menu for greater customization.

Winsage

June 4, 2026

Microsoft admits Windows 11’s right-click menu is a mess, will let you customize it after years of complaints

Microsoft is updating the right-click context menu in Windows 11, allowing users to customize it by adding or removing items. The new context menu will load faster and provide a more streamlined experience. Marcus Ash from Microsoft highlighted that the context menu will be configurable based on user preferences. The update aims to address previous criticisms regarding the cluttered and slower performance of the context menu compared to Windows 10. Microsoft will retain access to the classic context menu through the “Show more options” feature. Additionally, other customization options for Windows 11, such as repositioning the taskbar and resizing the Start menu, are being introduced.

Winsage

June 3, 2026

Hands-On: The New Windows 11 Taskbar

Microsoft is refining the Taskbar in Windows 11 as part of its updates within the Windows Insider Program. The Taskbar has undergone significant changes, including a centered layout and the removal of features like relocating it to different screen edges. Users can now align the Taskbar to the left, toggle visibility for Search, Task view, and Widgets, and drag files to app shortcuts. A Mute/Unmute microphone button has also been introduced. Microsoft has acknowledged user feedback regarding the Taskbar's size and functionality, with plans to allow repositioning and a smaller version of the Taskbar. As of late May, a new build introduced options for Taskbar positioning and smaller taskbar buttons, allowing users to place the Taskbar at the top or sides of the screen.