Microsoft is preparing to enhance the user experience in Windows 11 with a new customizable right-click context menu, a feature that promises to streamline interactions within File Explorer. As users install more applications, the context menu can become cluttered, making navigation cumbersome. However, this upcoming update aims to address that issue by allowing users to tailor the menu to their preferences.
In a recent blog post aimed at Windows Insiders, Microsoft announced the introduction of this customizable context menu. Users will have the ability to add frequently used commands while removing those that are less relevant, thereby reducing clutter and enhancing usability. “Today, we’re excited to announce an updated context menu that delivers a faster, simpler, and more customizable experience,” Microsoft stated. The new design focuses on minimizing top-level clutter and ensuring that commonly used actions remain easily accessible.
This isn’t the first time Microsoft has attempted to simplify the context menu. Previous versions of Windows often resulted in an unwieldy menu as users installed more applications. Windows 11 initially sought to remedy this by introducing a modern, streamlined menu featuring only core commands. However, users still found themselves reverting to the older menu to access additional commands, which undermined the intended simplicity. With the new customizable menu, Microsoft aims to eliminate the need for such back-and-forth navigation.
Here’s what you can do with the new menu
To experience the new customizable menu, users must be running the latest Windows 11 Insider build—specifically, build 26340.9212. As these insider builds can be unstable, it is advisable to test this feature on a secondary PC or a virtual machine. Additionally, the new menu has not yet been officially rolled out to insiders, requiring users to take an extra step. By installing a free utility called Vivetool from its GitHub page, users can enable the feature through a command prompt.
Once the setup is complete, users can reboot their PC and log back in. By right-clicking on any item in File Explorer, they will notice a new command labeled “Customize menu.” This action directs them to the Settings app, where they can modify the menu according to their needs.
The Settings screen for the context menu presents several key Windows commands, including Send to, Print, Create shortcut, Copy as path, and Rotate image. Users can toggle these options on or off based on their preferences. Furthermore, they can choose to display specific app extensions such as Copilot, Microsoft Clipchamp, Notepad, Paint, OneDrive, and Photos, or disable this submenu entirely to further streamline their experience.
Additionally, users can decide how to display commands like Cut, Copy, Paste, Rename, Share, and Delete, either in a row or inline with the menu. Options to move cloud storage commands to a separate section, include the legacy menu, and reposition the Properties command to the bottom of the menu are also available.
The extent of customization available will depend on the number of applications installed on the user’s PC. For those who prefer a minimalist approach, it is possible to remove most options, while others may opt for a fuller menu that remains efficient. Although the new customizable menu is not yet available to the general public, there is hope that it will be rolled out by the end of the year, contingent on user feedback and Microsoft’s development priorities.
For many users, the context menu has posed challenges, often leading to frustration when switching between the newer and older versions. The anticipation surrounding the official launch of this customizable menu reflects a collective desire for a more intuitive and personalized computing experience.
