Windows context menu is a mess. Too many useless options, and the one you need is hidden under Show more options.

Most tweak tools don’t fix this they just add more junk.

If you actually want control, you need to edit it directly.

What controls the right click menu

Every option you see comes from these locations:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shell

Programs add entries here, and most never remove them properly.

That’s why the menu keeps getting bigger over time.

Add your own option to the right click menu

Let’s say you want to add a custom option like opening a file with a specific app.

Note: Editing the Registry can affect system settings. Create a backup before making changes.

Open regedit

Go to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell

Create a new key:

MyCustomAction

Inside that:

  • Set Default value → the name you want in the menu
  • Optional: add Icon → path to app icon

Now create another key inside it:

command

Set its default value to:

"C:\Path\to\your\app.exe" "%1"

The %1 is important it tells Windows to pass the selected file.

Now right click any file and you’ll see your new option.

If it doesn’t show, restart Explorer or reboot once.

Folder vs File options

If you want your option only for folders:

Use:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell

If you want it for both files and folders:

Use:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shell

Choose based on what you actually need.

Windows 11 extra step

Even after adding your option, it may still appear under Show more options.

That’s because Windows 11 uses a new simplified menu.

To bring back the full classic menu:

Run this command:

reg add HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32 /f /ve

Then restart Explorer.

Now everything appears directly without the extra click.

To undo it:

reg delete HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} /f

Common mistakes

  • Not using quotes in file paths
  • Adding entry in wrong location
  • Forgetting %1
  • Adding too many custom options

Final note

Windows doesn’t give a proper interface for this, so the registry is the only reliable way.

Once you set it up properly, your right click menu becomes faster, cleaner, and actually useful.