How to Customize the Right-Click Menu in Windows 11 (New 2026 Setting)

For years, the Windows 11 right-click menu has been a sore point: a short list of icons at the top, a long list of app entries you never use, and the classic menu hidden behind Show more options. With the November 2026 update (KB5132061), Microsoft finally lets you customize the right-click menu yourself: hide commands you don't need, show icons as text, and tidy up third-party app entries.

This guide shows how to find the new setting, what each option does, what to do if you don't see it yet, and how to undo your changes.

Quick answer: Install the latest Windows 11 update (KB5132061, or the October preview KB5127936), then right-click a file in File Explorer and choose Customize menu, or open Settings > Personalization > Context menu. From there you can turn commands such as Send to, Print, Create shortcut, Copy as path and Rotate image on or off, show Cut/Copy/Paste as text, and move app entries into an App extensions submenu. It works on Windows 11 25H2 and 26H2 and is rolling out gradually.

Last updated: November 12, 2026.

Table of contents

• What you need
• Quick setup flow
• How to open the right-click menu settings
• What each option does
• Recommended setup for a clean menu
• Don't see "Customize menu"? Here's why
• How to undo your changes
• For IT admins
• FAQ

What you need

Windows version	Windows 11 25H2 or 26H2
Update	October 2026 optional preview (KB5127936) or the November 2026 security update (KB5132061) or later
Rollout	Gradual: Microsoft switches it on for PCs in waves, so it may appear a few days or weeks after updating
Account	Any account; no admin rights needed to change your own menu

Check your version with Win + R > winver. If the November update won't install, see our KB5132061 install fix.

Quick setup flow

How to open the right-click menu settings

Method 1: From the menu itself

1. Open File Explorer (Win + E).
2. Right-click any file.
3. At the bottom of the menu, click Customize menu.
4. The Context menu page opens in Settings.

Method 2: From Settings

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Personalization > Context menu.

Changes apply immediately. You don't need to restart File Explorer.

What each option does

Option	What it changes	Keep it if you...
Send to	Shows the Send to submenu (Desktop shortcut, compressed folder, Bluetooth, drives)	Often copy files to USB drives or create ZIPs
Print	Lets you print supported files straight from Explorer	Print PDFs or documents regularly
Create shortcut	Adds a shortcut next to the file	Make desktop shortcuts often
Copy as path	Copies the full file path to the clipboard	Work with scripts, PowerShell or support tickets
Rotate image	Rotate left/right for photos	Edit photos from Explorer
Text labels for Cut, Copy, Paste, Rename, Delete, Share	Shows these as words instead of small icons	Find the icon row confusing
Properties at the bottom	Moves Properties to the end of the menu	Prefer the classic layout
App extensions	Limits third-party entries (cloud sync, ZIP tools, antivirus, "Edit in Notepad") or groups them in an App extensions submenu	Use those app entries every day

Recommended setup for a clean menu

• Turn off Print and Rotate image if you rarely use them.
• Keep Copy as path if you do any IT work; it saves a lot of typing. Our PowerShell helpdesk scripts often need full paths.
• Group app extensions into the submenu so cloud and ZIP entries don't push everything else down.
• Turn on text labels for Cut, Copy and Paste if you or family members struggle with the icon row.

Still prefer the old Windows 10-style menu? Show more options (or Shift + F10) still opens the classic menu with every entry.

Don't see "Customize menu"? Here's why

1. You're missing the update: open Settings > Windows Update, install everything, and restart.
2. The rollout hasn't reached you: Microsoft enables new features in waves. If you're up to date, wait a few days. Turning on Get the latest updates as soon as they're available in Windows Update can help you get features earlier.
3. You're on an older version: 23H2 and 24H2 may not get this feature. Check winver.
4. Your PC is managed by work or school: your IT team may control features through policy.
5. You right-clicked the desktop or a folder background: the link appears on file menus in File Explorer; use Settings > Personalization > Context menu instead.

Avoid third-party "force enable" tools or registry tweaks from unknown sites. Wait for the official rollout.

How to undo your changes

Go back to Settings > Personalization > Context menu and switch the options back on. Turning everything back on restores the default menu. Uninstalling apps also removes their entries.

For IT admins

• The setting is per user; users can change it without admin rights.
• Expect fewer "where did my 7-Zip/OneDrive option go?" tickets if you tell users about the App extensions submenu before rollout.
• Rolling out KB5132061? Pilot first; some PCs are failing with 0x800f0993. See our KB5132061 troubleshooting guide.

FAQ

Which update adds the customizable right-click menu?

It first arrived in the October 2026 optional preview (KB5127936) and is included in the November 2026 security update (KB5132061) for Windows 11 25H2 and 26H2.

Can I bring back the full Windows 10 right-click menu permanently?

The new setting doesn't replace the modern menu with the classic one. You can still open the classic menu any time with Show more options or Shift + F10.

Can I remove "Edit in Notepad" or OneDrive from the menu?

Yes. Use the App extensions option to limit or group third-party and app entries in a submenu.

Is the new menu faster?

Microsoft and early testers report that the redesigned menu opens faster, especially on PCs with many app extensions.

Does this work on Windows 10?

No. It's a Windows 11 feature.

What else is new in the November 2026 update?

Per-monitor Magnifier zoom, dark mode for AutoPlay and Folder Options, typing ~ in the Explorer address bar to open your user folder, and the new Cloud rebuild recovery option.

Want Windows to feel faster overall? Try our 12 Windows 11 speed fixes and Windows power plans explained.

Sources: Windows Latest (November 10, 2026) and Yahoo Tech coverage of the Windows 11 context menu customization feature. Checked on November 12, 2026.