As a general rule here we find a good number of selectable options, but sometimes These are so many that they make the context menu an annoying element. Surely many times you have thought about reducing the number of options available in order to work with a more manageable menu, let’s see how to achieve it.
What is the context menu in Windows
The Windows context menu is that panel that we access when we right-click on a specific Windows element. In it, some applications are installed through entries so that we can have a faster access. It is likely that over time our context menu will have a large number of entries that are out of order, making our system impractical to use.
This is something that we must take care of since this panel can serve us, well used, as shortcut to locate and execute different functions that integrate it Therefore, if we are able to adapt it and have it configured to our needs, we may be able to save a great deal of time. These changes that we are going to talk about later can turn this operating system into a more manageable and personalized software, all depending on our needs or modes of use.
In order to organize the context menu, Windows offers us the possibility of doing it from its own registry editor. In the same way, we can opt for some third-party applications that can help us with this task. That is why today we are going to check how we can add or remove items from the Windows context menu.
Remove context menu items using Registry Editor
Registry Editor is software that comes included by default and that allows us to see and modify the database where all the Windows 10 settings are stored, as well as the installed applications and the user accounts of the computer. It should be noted that the use of this editor must be done with great care since any unwanted or erroneous modification can cause instabilities in the system itself. That is why it should be used with caution and under the responsibility of each user.
In order to edit context menu items through it, we must access it using the “Windows + R” key combination to launch the “Run” command where we will write “regedit”. In the Registry Editor window that will appear, we must establish the following path: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT /*/shellex/ContextMenuHandlers
Once located in the established route we can display the available list where to find the entries that we want to delete. By right-clicking on each one we must select the “Delete” option. In this way we can delete those context menu entries that we consider are unnecessary for our use. Of course, it is important to be careful, since if we delete any registry incorrectly it can negatively affect the stability of the operating system.
Programs to add and remove context menu items
In the event that the Windows 10 Registry Editor causes us respect and we do not want to interact with it, we also have the possibility of using different third-party applications developed to organize the content of the context menu. Next, we will look at various options and see how we can use them to leave the context menu completely to our liking.
It must be taken into account that these programs that we are going to talk about allow us to carry out these changes in the context menu, without risk of damaging the registry. In addition, sometimes we find some additional functions that will be very interesting for us to customize the operating system.
ShellNewHandler
To organize the content of the context menu we can use a tool called ShellNewHandler. It is completely free and we can download it from . It is not necessary to install it, because it is a version portableso all you have to do is unzip it and run it to start using it.
Once we execute it, a menu appears where all the applications found in the context menu are found. If we want to deactivate it, it will only be necessary to uncheck its corresponding box and click on the “Apply” button. After a few seconds, the changes will be applied to the system, resulting in the disappearance of the contextual menu of said entries. With this we will be able to have everything more organized. In addition, we prevent entries that we are not going to use from being loaded.
Pros and cons
This is a totally free and portable open source program to customize this section of Windows. Its execution and operation is very fast compared to other similar proposals. The modifications are carried out instantly, without the need to restart the computer. We must be attentive to the changes that we carry out, its interface can lead us to get confused. It has fewer configurable options than other proposals of the same type.
Easy Context Menu
This application allows us to perform different actions with which to organize our context menu in Windows. We will can add and remove content so that we can access the most used components quickly and easily. It’s a tool free and portable that we can .
Once downloaded, we must unzip the ZIP file and run the executable file. We will have an option for system of 32 bit and another for systems 64 bit. Its main menu will appear with six categories: “Desktop Context Menu”, “Computer Context Menu”, “Disk Context Menu”, “Folder Context Menu”, “Files Context Menu” and “Executables Context Menu” . We can fold or unfold each menu to have a better organized view.
The application itself incorporates several designed items that we can add to our menus just selecting them. equally we can delete them unchecking its corresponding box.
if we want add any program To the list we can do it with the “List Editor”, represented by an icon in the shape of a mouse with a gear. When opening the editor we must drag and drop the executable file of the application that we want to insert and finally click on “Save changes”.
Advantages and disadvantages
It puts at our disposal a huge number of functions that we can change to customize this Windows menu. It has features that allow us to add new content to this element of the system, at our choice. Regarding the negative points, the user interface is very complete, but it needs an update, both functionally and externally. Its operation is not exclusive to the contextual menu, which can lead to confusion for inexperienced users.
ShellMenuNew
This application is characterized software lightweight and portable which is responsible for displaying a list with the elements available in our contextual menu and gives us the possibility of disable all those that we do not use. This program does not include complicated options so it is accessible to all types of users. To start we must download it for free from
As it is a portable application, it does not require installation, it is only necessary to unzip the ZIP file and run the executable file. Its main menu will appear where we can see all items that make up our context menu. Information displayed includes the extension, menu text and type, status (enabled/disabled), new file data, along with the registry key for each item.
Next, we will only have to place ourselves on top of the element that we want to eliminate and right-click to select the “Disable Selected Menu Items” option (or press F7). Once this is done, we will see how the deactivated application appears in the menu.
at any time we can re-enable the app, clicking again with the right button on it and within the options that appear we select the one of “Enable Selected Menu Items” (or press F8). Once done, we will see in the menu how it appears available again.
Positive points and negative aspects
It is a program that is characterized by being very light and also portable. The functions and changes that it proposes are easily understood, even if we do not have much experience in these matters. Sometimes the information displayed from the context menu entries can be a bit confusing. The program has not received updates from its developer for a long time.
MainMaid
This free tool will allow us to manage the contextual menu entries for both Windows and Internet Explorer. We will only have to download it from and install it on our computer. Once executed, its main menu will appear.
At the top of the menu we find the “Internet Explorer” and “Windows Explorer” tabs. We select the desired one and all the elements that compose it will appear. Windows Explorer entries are grouped into different categories so we can find the desired item more easily (menu items, directories, drives and folders). In order to remove them, all you have to do is uncheck the desired option. In case we want to add it again, it will be as easy as marking it again.
The best and the worst
It has a very simple user interface, which is why it is ideal for users with the right knowledge and hardly consumes system resources, making it ideal for computers with very low specifications. Only function together with Windows Explorer and with Internet Explorer of the same firm. It does not receive updates to adapt to the current times.
Enable Windows 10 Right Click Menu in Windows 11
One of the most annoying changes in Windows 11 compared to Windows 10 is the limited number of features available in the right-click menu, a menu where a large number of features have been removed to be available via the Show More option. options, which makes it much slower to interact with files.
The easiest method is to create a file with a .reg extension that includes the following text, a file that we just have to execute by double-clicking on it.
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