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[Windows 10 Tip] Restore Classic Windows 7 Style Context Menus in Explorer and Desktop

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Here is another interesting and useful Registry tweak for Windows 10 to tweak the appearance of context menu (right-click menu) on Desktop as well as in Explorer. If you remember Microsoft replaced the default context menu which appears when you right-click on Desktop or inside any folder with a new immersive or modern style context menu in Insider Preview build 10532. The new immersive context menu was huge in size as there was lots of gap between options and the context menu was taking big space on screen.

Lots of people complained about the new immersive context menu and Microsoft fixed the context menu in the new build 10565. Microsoft didn’t restore the classic context menu but the company modified the new immersive context menu to look very close to the classic context menu as shown in following image:

Immersive_Context_Menu_Windows_10.png

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The same immersive context menu is also present in newer Windows 10 versions. So if you are using Windows 10 and if you have fully updated it, you must be using the same Windows 10 build.

A few hours back we shared a small batch file to disable dark and modern context menu in Windows 10 Taskbar:

[Tip] Get Rid of Dark Context Menu in Windows 10 Taskbar

Now we are going to share a similar tweak but this time the trick applies to Desktop and Explorer context menus.

In this tutorial, we’ll share a small Registry tweak to bring back the classic Windows 7/8 style context menu on Desktop and inside Explorer in Windows 10. The classic context menu looks better in my opinion. It contains small arrow symbols to indicate sub-menus and also features better highlight color for options. The separators are also better looking in classic context menu.

Following image shows the difference between both context menus:

Restore_Classic_Context_Menu_Windows_10.png

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The default immersive context menu is shown on left-side and the classic context menu is present on the right-side.

If you also want to restore classic context menu in Windows 10, check out following simple steps:

1. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box. Now type regedit in RUN and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\FlightedFeatures

3. In right-side pane, create a new DWORD ImmersiveContextMenu and leave its value to 0

Disable_Immersive_Context_Menu_Windows_10.png

4. Close Registry Editor. You’ll need to restart or log off to apply changes. Alternatively, you can also restart Explorer using any method given in following tutorial to apply changes:

[Guide] Different Ways to Close and Restart Explorer in Windows

That’s it. Now you’ll see the classic context menu on Desktop and in Explorer.

Classic_Desktop_Context_Menu_Windows_10.png

PS: If you want to restore new immersive context menu in future, delete the new DWORD created in step 3.

NOTE: If you are not familiar with Registry editing tasks, we are also providing ready-made Registry script to do the task automatically. Download following ZIP file, extract it and run .REG file. It’ll ask for confirmation, accept it:

Registry Tweak to Restore Classic Context Menu in Windows 10

Thanks to “Tihiy” for finding and “Mr GRiM” for sharing this trick with us…

Also Check:

Too Much Inconsistency in Windows 10 Context Menus

Published in: Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

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Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  2. I have a problem with Canon Pixma MP150 multifunctional. I can’t use its scanner on Windows 10. I know there’s no driver for WIA scanners on WX for this old printer, but is there no way of making it function?

  3. Win10 Context menu “Send To” command only contains one shortcut — to Bluetooth. Is there a fix? Thank you.

  5. This tweak works for most systems, including previewer verions.
    However, some third-party software may have compatibility issues.

    For example, a Chinese software QQ will install a shell extension, and it will make the context menu looks like Windows XP…

    The best way of solving this, is to uninstall those extensions/software packages

  6. Thanks for this. The new context menu had a scroll bar on my Dell Venue 8 Pro, that’s how big it was. This tweak fixed that right up.

    However, I do like the look of the new context menu/s. Is there a registry tweak which allows us to keep the new context menu but prevent it from increasing the line spacing when “right clicking” with the touch screen? That’s the only issue I have with it.

    Thanks in advance.

  7. in the new win 10 insiders preview Build 15019.rs_prerelease.170121-1513 this tweak no longer works. Microsoft also removed text/icon resizing in the legacy Control Panel, formerly located at “Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Display”.

    please can you look into a fix?

  8. please disregard part about this tweak not working. following a pc reboot it did work.

    however if yhere is a fix for the missing display sertings, please advise.

  9. Does anyone know a workaround to adjust the font size on the desktop icons? The setting disappeared on Windows Preview Build 15000 or thereabouts, the default size id just too small to read on my laptop without enlarging everything else, which I do not want to do.

  12. ^^George
    Maybe a little late, but:
    you can find a nice tool to do what you want
    System Font Size Changer
    I use it myself for a some time now since they removed it from win 10 option, i think was with creators update or even one before that.
    Yours truly
    Peter Alexander London
    PS
    Dear VG
    Keep up the very good job

  15. Not working with 1809 update.
    Is there any fix? Nothing works so far , contextmenu stays on grey !
    Sad, the blue menu looked much better , I hope a solution will come soon…………

  16. The Windows 10 Taskbar Context Menu Tweaker does not work anymore in 1809 !
    Tested, but it changes nothing …………..

  18. If we could only change colour from grey into light-blue , would be a great improvement for the new contextmenu in 1809………..

  19. The above registry tweak does not work for Windows 10 v1809. Am always customizing my display with fonts. Google says you cannot disable the immersive context menu in v1809. Please help me out.

  21. This is evil. I have the classic context menu, and I’m trying to get the default one. But the problem is, every time i tried to fix it with the registry tweak, it’s STILL the classic one..

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