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I Fixed the Windows Context Menu

March 23, 2026 Open Source Windows

Let’s be honest: the Windows 11 context menu is a UX nightmare. Microsoft tried to simplify things, but instead, they created a fragmented mess. We now have a sleek but neutered "new" menu, and behind an annoying "Show more options" barrier, the bloated "old" menu hides. Even worse, the essential Cut, Copy, and Paste functions were replaced by cryptic top-row icons, completely betraying decades of established muscle memory.

I wanted the functional power of the classic Windows 10 context menu but with the sleek, modern design language of Windows 11. Here is how I completely overhauled my right-click menu, restored my sanity, and built a custom "New" menu tailored exactly to my workflow.

Phase 1: The Visual Overhaul (Nilesoft Shell)

The foundation of my new setup is Nilesoft Shell. If you haven't heard of it, it's a context menu modifier that entirely replaces the native Windows 11 right-click menu.

It solves the biggest problem immediately: it merges everything into a single, unified list. No more shift-right-clicking or hunting for "Show more options." Even better, it brings back the classic text-based Cut, Copy, Paste, and Rename buttons right where your muscle memory expects them to be.

But it doesn't look like a step backward. Nilesoft Shell natively supports Windows 11 design elements, including smooth animations, rounded corners, and the beautiful transparent Mica material. For power users, everything is driven by a shell.nss configuration file, meaning you can tweak icons, cascade menus, and customize visual states to your exact liking.

[compare]



Before: A fragmented mess with buried options and confusing icons. After: A unified, Mica-themed interface with classic text labels restored.

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Phase 2: Decluttering the Mess (CCleaner)

There is a catch to bringing back the classic, unified menu: it exposes everything. Over the years, every 3rd-party app you install decides it deserves a spot in your context menu. Your sleek new Nilesoft menu will quickly look like a crowded billboard if you aren't careful. After all, if you already have "Open with," why on earth would you need a dedicated "Play with VLC" button cluttering up your screen?

To fix this, I use the context menu manager built into CCleaner. It’s incredibly effective at hunting down and disabling these rogue shell extensions without having to manually dig through the Windows Registry.



Phase 3: The Cherry on Top – Customizing the "New" Menu

The final piece of the puzzle was the "New" submenu. Out of the box, Windows fills this with useless junk like "Bitmap image" or "Rich Text Document." As a developer, I want to right-click and instantly spin up a new script, a .md file, or a code template.

Initially, I used the New+ feature in PowerToys to create these templates. It worked well until I hit a massive roadblock: PowerToys New+ has a bug when paired with Nilesoft Shell. If you add more than 15 custom templates, Nilesoft Shell fails to render them properly, cutting off your list.

Since I use way more than 15 templates for my workflow, I decided to build my own solution: the Windows New Menu Editor.


Instead of trying to replace the menu entirely, my utility natively edits the Windows Registry to clean up the garbage and inject exactly what I want.

  • Template Manager: I can easily add custom file templates (like .py, .js, or .md) using a simple file picker. Because it uses native Windows registry items rather than a virtual overlay, it works flawlessly with Nilesoft Shell—no 15-item limit.

  • Instant Cleanup: The tool operates in a "Silent Mode," meaning I can toggle items on, off, or delete them instantly without annoying confirmation popups.

  • Persistence Lock: Some apps (like Microsoft Access or certain text editors) stubbornly recreate their "New" menu entries every time they update. I added a "Block" feature that modifies the Registry ACL (Permissions) to Deny access, effectively preventing the app from forcing its way back into my menu.

The result is a lightweight, powerful utility with a modern WPF interface that finally gives me total control over my workflow.

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New Menu Editor

Revamped New Menu

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How to Do It Yourself

If you want to replicate this setup, here is the exact step-by-step guide to achieving context menu nirvana.


Step 1: Install Nilesoft Shell

The easiest way to install it is via the Windows Package Manager (Winget). Open your terminal and run:
[code] winget install Nilesoft.Shell -h [/code]
Once installed, restart Windows Explorer or your PC. You will immediately notice the unified, Mica-themed context menu.


Step 2: Clean Up with CCleaner

If you don't already have it, install CCleaner:
[code] winget install Piriform.CCleaner -h [/code]

  1. Open CCleaner.

  2. Navigate to Tools > Startup > Context Menu.

  3. Go through the list and select Disable for any 3rd-party junk you never use (VLC, old unzipping tools, random cloud storage hooks).


Step 3: Curate Your "New" Menu

To remove the default junk and add your custom dev templates, you have two great options depending on how many templates you need.


Option A: PowerToys New+ (Best for fewer than 15 templates)

If you only need a handful of custom files, Microsoft's PowerToys is a fantastic, official solution. Just keep in mind that exceeding 15 items causes rendering bugs when combined with Nilesoft Shell.

[code] winget install Microsoft.PowerToys -h [/code]

  1. Open PowerToys and navigate to the New+ module on the left sidebar.
  2. Toggle the feature to Enable New+.
  3. Click the Open templates folder button.
  4. Drop your custom starter files (e.g., .md, .py, .html) directly into this folder. They will now appear in your New menu!


Option B: Windows New Menu Editor (Best for 15+ templates & deep registry cleanup)

If you need a large number of templates or want to permanently delete the native garbage Windows pre-installs, use my open-source tool.

  1. Download the latest NewMenuEditor.exe from my GitHub repository.

  2. Right-click the file and select Run as Administrator.

  3. (Alternative) If you prefer not to run executables, you can download the raw NewMenuEditor.ps1 script and select Run with PowerShell.

  4. Toggle off the extensions you hate, and use the Template Manager to add the files you actually use.

By combining these three tools, you get the absolute best of both worlds: the uncompromised efficiency of classic Windows, the visual polish of Windows 11, and a Linux-like level of customizability for your file creation.