By adding an empty InprocServer32 key under this CLSID in the user's registry hive ( HKCU ), you essentially create a placeholder that tells the system, "Do not load the default handler for this COM object." Since HKCU entries take precedence over system-wide ones in HKLM , this effectively disables the new menu and forces Windows to fall back to the classic one.
: Third-party applications (like WinRAR, 7-Zip, Notepad++, or specialized design software) often place their shortcuts in the classic menu. Reverting ensures these tools are immediately accessible.
: This key typically contains a default value that specifies the path to the DLL that contains the in-process server for the COM object. By adding an empty InprocServer32 key under this
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2] @=""
: You know exactly what change is being made to your system. : This key typically contains a default value
: Open Command Prompt (cmd.exe) and paste the full command.
reg add HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2\InprocServer32 /ve /t REG_SZ /d "C:\Path\to\your.dll" /f The DLL is gone
If you decide to revert to the default Windows 11 behavior, the process is just as simple. The reversal involves deleting the user-specific key you created. To do this, run the following command in an elevated Command Prompt:
This command is widely known in the Windows enthusiast community as a "tweak" to restore the classic context menu in Windows 11. The purpose is to bypass the new, simplified context menu introduced with Windows 11 and revert to the more feature-rich, classic menu containing many more options by default. This tweak is often performed when users find the new menu less efficient or dislike having to click an extra time to access the full menu.
– After uninstalling software, the CLSID may remain. The DLL is gone, but Windows still tries to load it, causing delays or errors. You can delete the key.