How to Enable or Disable Wide Context Menus in Windows 10
The method in this tutorial no longer works since Windows 10 version 1809.
A context menu is a menu in a graphical user interface (GUI) that appears when you right-click on an item in Windows. A context menu offers a limited set of choices that vary depending on the item you right clicked on.
Starting with Windows 10 build 10537, Microsoft changed the appearance of the context menus for File Explorer, Desktop, and taskbar. The context menus are now wider with a slightly darker appearance.
If you don't like the wider context menus, you can disable them to have the original context menus back for the Desktop and File Explorer.
This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable wide context menus for all users in Windows 10.
You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable wide context menus.
EXAMPLE: Wide context menus enabled and disabled
Here's How:
The downloadable .bat files below will add and modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\FlightedFeatures
ImmersiveContextMenu DWORD
0 = Disable
1 = Enable
1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the BAT file below, and go to step 4 below.
Enable_wide_context_menus_in_Windows10.bat
Download
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the BAT file below, and go to step 4 below.
Disable_wide_context_menus_in_Windows10.bat
Download
4 Save the .bat file to your desktop.
5 Unblock the .bat file.
6 Run the .bat file.
7 Click/tap on Yes when prompted by UAC.
8 You will now notice your screen flicker and a command prompt quickly opens and closes as explorer is restarted to apply the registry changes.
9 When finished, you can delete the downloaded .bat file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Enable or Disable Wide Context Menus in Windows 10
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New #1
Of course another great tutorial Brink.
It may be just me but I personally hate batch files for modifying registry keys.
Thanks again for the great tutorial.
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New #2
You're most welcome Jerry. :)
Yeah, I had to use a .bat file instead of a .reg file since it requires elevated rights to change the HKLM registry key and value, and explorer needs to restart to apply. A .bat file was an easy way to have it all done automatically.
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New #3
My system suddenly went to wide menus for no apparent reason. I just downloaded the batch file and applied it. Unfortunately it didn't work -- and I assume it did work last July. Here's a shot. Any ideas?
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New #4
Hello Bob, :)
I just checked on build 17639, and it appears to still be working for me.
The context menu width will always automatically adjust to the text in it. If enabled, the text should appear a bit darker to help tell the difference.
It appears that you are using a custom skin or context menu though since that it not how the context menu looks like by default in Windows 10.Last edited by Brink; 09 Apr 2018 at 16:45.
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New #5
I'm glad to report that all is OK now. I had to reboot and the menus are good.
Thanks!
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New #7
Is it possible to do it the other way around? Applying the wide context menu style to "classic" context menus?
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New #9
Enable or Disable Wide Context Menus in Windows 10
How to Enable or Disable Wide Context Menus in Windows 10Published by Shawn BrinkCategory: Customization
01 Feb 2023
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