How to Add or Remove File Explorer Default Context Menu in Windows 10

information   Information
By default, context menus appear when you right-click the desktop or when you right-click the items in File Explorer.

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove File Explorer's default context menu for specific or all users in Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove the context menu.

CONTENTS:
  • Option One: To Add or Remove File Explorer's Default Context Menu in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Two: To Add or Remove File Explorer's Default Context Menu using a REG file


EXAMPLE: File Explorer context menus
Remove File Explorer Default Context Menu in Windows 10-desktop_context_menu.png Remove File Explorer Default Context Menu in Windows 10-drive_context_menu.png Remove File Explorer Default Context Menu in Windows 10-folder_context_menu.png Remove File Explorer Default Context Menu in Windows 10-exe_file_context_menu.png






OPTION ONE

To Add or Remove File Explorer's Default Context Menu in Local Group Policy Editor


Note   Note
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Two below.

1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor, click/tap on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and File Explorer. (See screenshot below)

Remove File Explorer Default Context Menu in Windows 10-file_explorer_context_menu_gpedit-1.jpg

3. In the right pane of File Explorer, double click/tap on Remove File Explorer's default context menu to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4. Do step 5 (add) or step 6 (remove) below for what you would like to do.


 5. To Add File Explorer's Default Context Menu

A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.


 6. To Remove File Explorer's Default Context Menu

A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

Remove File Explorer Default Context Menu in Windows 10-file_explorer_context_menu_gpedit-2.png

7. When finished, you can close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.






OPTION TWO

To Add or Remove File Explorer's Default Context Menu using a REG file


Note   Note
The .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD value in the registry keys below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

NoViewContextMenu DWORD

(delete) = Add
1 = Remove

1. Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.


 2. To Add File Explorer's Default Context Menu for All Users

NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Add_File_Explorer_context_menu.reg

Download


 3. To Remove File Explorer's Default Context Menu for All Users

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Remove_File_Explorer_context_menu.reg

Download

4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7. Restart the explorer process or sign out and sign in to apply.

8. You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn