Windows 11 Classic context menu: Instructions

The new system menus score with their beautiful design: while Microsoft distanced itself from transparency effects with Windows 8, the group introduced it little by little with Windows 10 (keyword: fluent design). Windows 11 also does more with transparency again and is visually reminiscent of Windows XP with its Luna surface as well as the Aero Glass themes of Windows Vista and Windows 7. Context menus are lined up here: they allow the desktop background to blink, for example that looks handsome. However, functionality is missing: the article writer finds it particularly annoying that the Edit command is missing in the batch file context menu. The recall of these files in the notepad.exe editor must be managed in another way. To see the old Windows 10-style context menu, click Show more options under the new System menu. In the long run, this extra step slows down the workflow if you have to use it often.

The Windows 11 classic context menu tool is packaged in a ZIP directory. Extract the folder in the archive, open it and run the “W11ClassicMenu.exe” file. If a warning message appears from a file Windows SmartScreen filters, allow to invoke the application through “More info > Run Anyway”. By the way, in the Windows Compatibility Mode article, you will find more tips for making programs usable with teething problems.

Tip: There are other ways to reactivate the older context menu style. First of all, the context menu key is located to the left of the two Ctrl keys. Up until the Windows 10 version, I invoked the same thing – like right-clicking. Windows 11 rearranges the cards here. Interested parties have a look at the article “Windows 11: Restore the old context menu”.