right-click menu Archives

Winsage

September 17, 2026

Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 Speed Fixes Are Coming to All Users

Windows 11 users have experienced delays in File Explorer and the Start menu since the operating system's launch in 2021. Recent reports from Windows Insiders indicate significant improvements in system responsiveness, confirmed by Marcus Ash from Microsoft, who stated that these enhancements will be rolled out to all users by fall 2026. Recent cumulative updates have addressed issues like File Explorer lag and Start menu stuttering, with specific updates (KB5120998, KB5095093, and KB5089573) improving responsiveness and reducing micro-stutters. Enhancements to the taskbar, Start menu, and context menus are also being developed, including taskbar repositioning and streamlined context menus. Users on the 25H2 version can expect these improvements through cumulative updates before the 26H2 update this fall. Keeping Windows Update active will ensure access to these enhancements.

Winsage

September 14, 2026

Windows 11 Update Finally Fixes A Classic Feature That Should Have Never Been Changed

Many users are transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 but are facing issues, leading some to consider alternatives like Linux due to performance, privacy, and AI integration concerns. The right-click menu in Windows 11 has been criticized for being cluttered and slow. Microsoft is addressing these issues with an update to streamline the context menu, making it more organized and faster-loading. This redesigned menu is currently available to users of the Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26340.9212, released on August 17, 2026, with broader availability expected in the upcoming Windows 11 version 26H2 or later updates. The new context menu will feature a lighter design with frequently used functions like Cut, Copy, and Rename at the top, and options will be simplified and reorganized. Users will also be able to customize their right-click menus through the Settings menu and revert to the traditional Windows 10 context menus if desired.

Winsage

August 21, 2026

Will Windows 11 remove the Windows 10-era right-click menu? Microsoft reveals what’s next

Windows 11's right-click context menu has received mixed reviews since its launch, with users finding it cluttered and slower than the Windows 10 version. Microsoft has acknowledged these issues and is working on updates to improve the menu's performance and customization options. The legacy context menu from Windows 10 remains accessible through the “Show more options” feature, although it will not appear by default. Microsoft is providing guidance to developers to help transition their applications to the new context menu format while ensuring that users who prefer the classic menu can still access it.

Winsage

August 19, 2026

Microsoft admits Windows 11’s context menus are “cluttered and sluggish”: Announces major upgrades to the right-click menu that increases performance and customizability

Microsoft has announced a major redesign of the context menus in File Explorer and on the desktop for Windows 11, aimed at improving the right-click experience by making it faster, less cluttered, and more customizable. Preview builds with the new context menu are being rolled out for Windows Insiders for testing and feedback. The updated menu addresses previous issues of clutter and sluggishness, allowing for a simpler and quicker user experience. Users can customize their context menus by enabling or disabling specific actions and hiding third-party app extensions. Additionally, users have the option to revert to the Windows 10 context menu layout within Windows 11. The new layout presents fewer actions and allows main commands to be listed inline, with Properties moved to the bottom. A broader rollout of these features is expected later this fall.

Winsage

August 18, 2026

Microsoft Vows To Fix Windows 11’s ‘Cluttered And Sluggish’ Right-Click Menu

Microsoft has released an update in its Insider Experimental Preview build for Windows 11, specifically Build 26340.9212, featuring a redesigned right-click menu in File Explorer that is more aesthetically pleasing and organized intuitively. This update includes a customizable dropdown menu for app extension options, addressing a banding issue with image previews, and introducing various enhancements such as updated "Get Started" screens, a modernized Magnifier tool, and upgraded Emoji 17.0 designs. Additional changes include new entry points for the Camera Roll Backup feature, the removal of the deprecated Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line, and the discontinuation of the Drag Tray. The update aims to improve performance and user interface experiences, particularly in File Explorer.

Winsage

August 18, 2026

Announcing new builds for 17 August 2026

New Windows 11 Insider Preview builds have been released for the Beta and Experimental Channels. All new builds include renewed Windows Insider flight certificates, replacing those that expired on August 11, 2026, to ensure compatibility with software and future updates. There is an ongoing issue with the Feature Flags settings page appearing empty for Insiders in the Experimental channel, which is expected to be resolved in the next build. Notable new features include a redesigned Context Menu in File Explorer, aimed at improving speed and customization, and support for Emoji 17.0, which introduces new emojis and design adjustments for existing ones.

Winsage

August 17, 2026

Microsoft just rebuilt one of Windows 11’s oldest tools in modern UI, rollout starts in the next few days

Microsoft has transitioned its newly designed Print Management tool into the Release Preview channel for Windows 11, moving it closer to general availability after initial appearances in Beta and Experimental builds. The new Print Management app, built on WinUI 3, replaces the outdated MMC-style console and features a modern layout with a user-friendly interface. It serves as a comprehensive management system for administrators, allowing oversight of printers, print queues, drivers, ports, and print servers. The rollout schedule includes an optional update anticipated for late August and integration into the regular September cumulative update. However, the timeline may be subject to delays. The updated application maintains essential administrative functionality while simplifying tasks such as renaming printers and customizing displayed information. Some legacy elements remain, requiring administrative privileges to launch the app. Microsoft is actively modernizing Windows 11's user interface, including the Print Management tool, as part of a broader initiative to replace outdated components.

Winsage

August 2, 2026

Microsoft wants Windows 11’s right-click menu to work the way it should, by giving users more control

Microsoft is redesigning the context menu in Windows 11 to address complaints about its sluggishness and clutter. The new design will feature a more compact layout that enhances loading speed and offers full customization options. Users will be able to prioritize frequently used actions, hide seldom-used entries, and rearrange items in the menu. This initiative is part of the broader Windows K2 project aimed at improving the operating system's performance and user experience. The redesigned context menu is currently functional in internal testing, but no timeline for its public rollout has been announced.

Winsage

August 2, 2026

Windows 11’s Photos app just got debloated, but Microsoft is already ruining it with a WebView2 sequel

Microsoft Photos for Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel has been updated to feature a cleaner interface with fewer icons and a faster context menu. The update removes unnecessary elements, including the "Ask Copilot" button, and focuses on essential actions like Edit, Print, and Share. The context menu now opens faster and includes a concise list of relevant options. Additional enhancements include a richer file info pane, support for HEIC files without conversion, SVG viewing support, improved launch performance, and new device import controls. However, a new app called "Photos (Preview)" has been introduced, which operates as a WebView2 process and adds complexity to the user experience. Microsoft is seeking user feedback on this experimental app.

Winsage

July 31, 2026

Windows 11’s right-click menu is about to get faster and less cluttered

Microsoft is introducing a new customization feature for Windows 11 that allows users to curate their context menus by selecting which applications and commands to display. Users can show or hide specific actions and rearrange the order of menu elements. A new “Customize” option will be added to the context menu, enabling users to modify menu options and settings. Additionally, Microsoft plans to redesign the user interface, moving from legacy code to a modern framework based on WinUI 3 to enhance overall performance and efficiency.