- Microsoft is working to optimize Windows 11 context menus
- However, that is just for the context-sensitive choices out there to purposes.
- However, the hope is that it could possibly ultimately be utilized extra broadly in Windows 11 in File Explorer.
There’s a touch that Microsoft would possibly a minimum of be interested by addressing one of many greatest complaints about Windows 11’s interface: the lengthy record of choices introduced if you right-click a file.
Like, this can be a change to the context menu that gives a bunch of context-sensitive choices and is out there for sure apps; Additionally, there’s a chance that it may be utilized to File Explorer (universally in Windows 11).
The idea was proven in a WinUI group name on YouTube (see the video under with the corresponding part beginning on the twenty first minute).
The work signifies that builders of WinUI 3-based apps can benefit from a ‘Split Context Menu’ characteristic that does just about what it says, permitting them to separate sure choices right into a secondary menu.
This signifies that an app’s foremost right-click menu can have fewer choices and be extra streamlined, with a few of the different choices hidden in secondary drop-down menus exterior of that foremost record.
An instance of right-clicking on a picture file reveals a context-sensitive choice to ‘Open in Photos’ after which, exterior of that, the flexibility to make use of different apps (Paint, Snipping Tool) is hidden away in a secondary menu, relatively than having these listed in the principle menu, additional cluttering it up.
Additionally, many different choices are faraway from the top-level context menu, equivalent to the flexibility to rotate the picture (left or proper), the copy possibility, and OneDrive can also be proven faraway from the context menu.
WinUI Community Call: November 5, 2025 – YouTube
Analysis: proper click on, okay?
Before you get too excited, that is only a change that WinUI 3 app builders are engaged on for now (current within the Windows App SDK). As Windows Latest factors out, it is unclear whether or not this idea will apply to all of Windows 11 or be restricted to these particular apps.
We can definitely count on the primary situation, because the Windows 11 context menu has develop into extra difficult as time goes on. The thought was that Windows 11 would provide one thing extra streamlined than Windows 10 on this division, and in reality, there are fewer right-click choices on the newer working system, albeit as a result of some choices are hidden behind the “Show extra choices” button. However, the context menu continues to be too busy for my style, and extra pointless bloat has just lately been launched relating to Copilot, fast actions for AI and the like (to not point out a number of choices for editors, particularly with photographs).
In quick, Microsoft might apply the idea outlined right here to apps extra broadly, addressing basic complaints about Windows 11’s context menu being too cluttered. (And he additionally complains that it is sluggish, which can also be a long-standing criticism.)
However, it will actually be good if Microsoft supplied a Settings panel for the context menu in Windows 11 the place you can take away sure choices from system-wide use (to do away with all mentions of OneDrive, for instance, or Copilot, though the prospect of banishing AI is maybe one purpose why Microsoft would not go down this route).
It’s a disgrace, as you should use registry hacks or third-party software program to change the context menu, however that may be difficult and dangerous, so why is not this functionality out there as a local piece of desktop customization in Windows 11?
If Microsoft is frightened about much less technical varieties by accident breaking performance and turning off core interface parts with out realizing what they’re doing, it might at all times restrict the customization choices a bit. Alternatively, please consign these capabilities to PowerToys and a minimum of give us an official add-on answer for modifying the context menu.
Still, this work for WinUI 3 apps is a minimum of a sign that Microsoft is contemplating eradicating a few of the extra difficult points of this context-sensitive performance, and maybe it’ll find yourself being utilized extra extensively in Windows 11.
