You can clean up and customize your Windows context menu (the right-click menu) by using third-party management tools, editing the Windows Registry directly, or restoring the classic layout if you are on Windows 11. Over time, installing software fills this menu with bloated, unwanted options that slow down your system performance.
The step-by-step methods below will help you take back control of your right-click options. Method 1: The Easy Way (Using Free Third-Party Tools)
Using a dedicated manager is the safest and quickest way to disable unwanted items without accidentally breaking system files.
Download a trusted tool: Download a lightweight utility such as NirSoft ShellExView or Windows Context Menu Manager via the Microsoft Store.
Filter the items: Open the tool and sort the list by Type or Company to separate Windows defaults from third-party software like WinRAR, Dropbox, or old media players.
Disable unwanted extensions: Select the stubborn app shortcut, right-click it, and select Disable.
Restart File Explorer: Refresh your system to see the changes immediately.
Method 2: The Direct Way (Using the Windows Registry Editor)
If you prefer not to install third-party software, you can modify the shortcuts directly inside the Windows Registry. Step 1: Backup Your Registry Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
Click File > Export to save a backup copy before making any changes. Step 2: Locate the Context Menu Keys
Navigate to these specific folders in the left sidebar depending on what you want to clean up: For files: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
For folders: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
For the desktop background: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers Step 3: Disable or Remove Entries
Look at the folder names inside ContextMenuHandlers (e.g., DropboxExt or 7-Zip). To delete: Right-click the folder and select Delete.
To safely disable (Recommended): Click the folder, double-click the (Default) value string in the right pane, and add a few dashes (—) to the beginning of the text value. This hides the option without destroying the path key. Method 3: Add Custom Shortcuts to the Menu
You can also use the Registry to add your favorite apps or scripts directly to your right-click options. Clean up R-Click Context Menus – Windows 10 Forums
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