Windows 11's right-click menu is now faster and fully customizable

Date:
Thu, 29 Oct 2026 11:55:08 +0000

Description:
'Crazy it took them 5 years': Windows 11's right-click menu gets a vital tune-up to be faster and fully customizable but why did it take Microsoft this long?

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Windows 11 has a new preview (optional) update This introduces the ability to fully tailor the right-click (context) menu to your liking, as well as speeding up its performance That's great, but you're best off steering clear of a preview update and waiting for the full release in under two weeks but even then, this feature will be on a gradual rollout Windows 11 now has one of the most-wanted interface capabilities for many people, namely the ability to customize the right-click menu but it's not quite fully finalized yet (although that's imminent).

The menu that pops up when you right-click on a file (or folder) is also
known as the 'context' menu as it presents a bunch of options that vary contextually based on the type of file clicked but in Windows 11, it's currently a sprawling affair. Those who hate the lengthy right-click menu
will now be able to customize it after installing a new Windows 11 update , although this is an optional release, meaning it's still in preview. This feature will be in next month's patch, the November update, though, so you haven't got long to wait for the full release (less than two weeks, in fact). Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

The customization settings for the right-click menu include the ability to remove Windows commands you're not fond of like 'Send to' for example or
add abilities that you'd like to have, and also choose the apps you want to appear in the context menu.

It's a full range of customization and you can also elect to have the top panel of the menu (cut, paste, rename and so forth) directly integrated instead, so these functions appear alongside everything else (in a Windows 10 style and you can shift the layout around too, moving Properties to the foot of the menu for example). You may like Microsoft is improving Windows 11's right-click menu at long last Windows 11's August update has arrived here are 3 reasons to download it Windows 11 is getting what should be a hefty speed boost for apps

Microsoft boasts that the new right-click menu is faster, too: "The updated menu opens more quickly, reduces clutter, and gives you more control over the commands and app extensions that appear when you right-click."

As you may have noticed, all this work has been in testing for a while now . Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our
trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Analysis: rolling frustrations and a lengthy wait (Image credit: Elnur / Shutterstock) The immediate response on the likes of Reddit seems positive, and there are Windows 11 users who have taken the plunge with this preview update who are observing that the right-click menu is indeed a lot faster.

One Redditor enthuses : "The new context menu is so good! Way faster, customization is cool."

Others acknowledge that this is undoubtedly a good move, but don't
understand why it took Microsoft so long to get here: "Not bad imo. Crazy it took them 5 years though." What to read next Windows 11's September update
has arrived here are 3 key features Windows 11 update packs some much-wanted features and very-much unwanted bugs How I think Microsoft's campaign to fix Windows 11 is going after 6 months

While the feedback is generally positive, there are complaints from those who have installed the update but haven't received the new context menu. This is because the right-click revamp has been implemented via a gradual rollout, so it's only being drip-fed through to a certain amount of PCs at a time (of those who have installed the optional update). As another Redditor puts it : "Those gradual rollouts though"

You can force the feature to be deployed to your PC using a Windows configuration utility (ViVeTool), but I wouldn't recommend that approach. Microsoft tests the waters in a limited way for good reasons, especially with features still in preview, so you're running a larger than normal risk of
some nasty bug ruining your day .

Anyway, you've waited five years for this performance and options tuning, as those on Reddit are keen to point out so what's another couple of weeks? I'd hold on for the official November update, keeping clear of this preview, but even then, it'll still be a gradual rollout, and you may need some patience.

Still, the good news is that the context ball is rolling, and it hopefully won't be too long before the majority of Windows 11 users gain access to this important upgrade for a key piece of the UI. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. The best laptops for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best laptops 1. Best overall: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5 2. Best budget: Apple MacBook Neo 3. Best Windows 11 laptop Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch 4. Best thin and light: Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 5. Best Ultrabook Asus Zenbook S 16



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/windows-11s-right-click-menu-gets- a-vital-tune-up-its-now-faster-and-you-can-dump-options-you-dont-want


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