Windows 11 gets new context menu

Microsoft has completed the redesign of the context menu for files in Windows 11 through the optional update KB5127936. This update is available for a short time and will only appear if users manually check for updates in Windows Update; otherwise, it will be installed automatically next month.

Checking for the new menu

The new context menu is currently being rolled out. Users can check if it has been applied by right-clicking on a file. If the new menu is active, a line labeled "Customize the menu" will appear at the bottom of the menu.

Forcing activation with ViVeTool

Users who want to force the activation of the new menu can use the ViVeTool tool in a terminal with administrator rights via the command: vivetool /enable /id:60813048 On some systems, this ID may not be enough, and users may need to try additional IDs such as "/id:49453572,60813048" or "/id:49453572,60813048,61934903".

New features and customization options

After a restart, users will have the new menu, which is more responsive and customizable. Clicking on the last item in the menu opens the appropriate panel in Settings. Options include displaying Cut/Copy/Paste options as a list rather than as icons at the top of the menu.

Additional features in the update

The update KB5127936 also includes other new features, such as a modernized window for AutoPlay, a more consistent display for search results in File Explorer, a new Gaming Task View in Xbox mode, and the official introduction of cloud-based reinstallation, which Microsoft had previewed in July.