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Microsoft Overhauls Windows 11 Right-Click Menus

The company is testing a redesigned, faster, customizable context menu that lets users hide third-party entries or restore a Windows 10 layout to address complaints about clutter and sluggishness.

Overview

  • Microsoft confirmed the changes this week and began rolling preview builds to Windows Insiders so testers can try the new context menu and give feedback.
  • The redesigned menu reduces top-level clutter, speeds menu load times, and adds a 'Customize menu' shortcut in Settings for granular control over entries.
  • Users can hide third-party app items that clutter right-click menus and can choose a Windows 10-style inline layout to restore familiar Cut, Copy and Paste placement.
  • File Explorer also gets reliability and performance fixes such as preventing background sync from interrupting renames and making case-only filename changes appear immediately.
  • Microsoft said it will remove the WMIC command-line tool in upcoming 24H2/25H2 releases and current beta builds to reduce abuse by attackers, with a wider consumer rollout expected after Insider feedback.