The Windows 11 right-click menu is finally something you can trim down to the items you actually use. A new optional update, KB5127936, adds a “Customize menu” option that lets you hide clutter, move common actions inline, and bring back the old classic menu without holding Shift.
It arrived as a preview on October 28-29, and everyone gets it on November 10 with Patch Tuesday.
Here are the facts worth knowing before you click anything.
- Update: 2026-10 Preview Update (KB5127936), builds 26300.9818 (26H2) and 26200.9818 (25H2).
- Who gets it: Windows 11 25H2 and 26H2 PCs. Version 24H2 reached end of support on October 13, so it is left out.
- Release: optional now, automatic for everyone on November 10, 2026.
- Size: usually under 2GB through Windows Update.
How to customize the Windows 11 right-click menu
Right-click any file and you’ll see a new “Customize menu” entry. It opens Settings > Personalization, where each item has an on/off switch.
You can hide things like Send to, Print, Create shortcut, Copy as path, and Rotate image. Cut, copy, paste, rename, share, and delete can sit inline, which makes the menu wider but shorter.
There’s also an “App extensions” page for entries such as Open in Paint or Edit in Notepad, including ones added by third-party apps. A toggle can fold them all into a single submenu. According to Windows Latest, the menu also opens faster than before.
Prefer the old look? You can switch on the legacy menu so it shows straight away, and tools like 7-Zip stay reachable there. The rollout is gradual, so the option may not show up on your PC on day one.
What else is inside KB5127936
The right-click menu gets the headlines, but this is a big cumulative update. The table below covers the changes you’re most likely to notice.
| Change | What it does |
|---|---|
| File Explorer search | Search results use one consistent layout from a drive, This PC, or Home. |
| Tilde shortcut | Type ~ in the address bar to jump to your profile folder. ~\AppData works too, even in Run. |
| Folder Options dark mode | The old Folder Options window finally follows dark mode. |
| Accelerated app launch | If Edge is already running, new launches reuse that instance instead of starting from scratch. |
| Accessibility | Magnifier gets a contrast toggle and per-monitor zoom. Live captions can include screen reader audio. |
| Networking | IPv6 CLAT support on Wi-Fi and Ethernet. |
Microsoft also says it fixed “multiple major issues” and reports no known problems with the update. That’s reassuring, but wait a few days before rolling it out to work machines.
Memory Integrity is now on by default
This is the change that deserves a second look. On eligible PCs, this update and later ones switch on Memory Integrity (HVCI), a security feature that isolates critical parts of Windows from malware.
The trade-off is possible slowdown on some hardware or older drivers. Windows Latest notes performance concerns, although Microsoft hasn’t published a specific figure.
If an older driver or app misbehaves afterward, you can turn it off under Windows Security > Device Security > Core isolation. I’d leave it on unless something actually breaks.
Better recovery if Windows won’t start
Recovery gets real upgrades too. Windows Recovery Environment can reuse a saved Wi-Fi profile to download a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft.
A new cloud rebuild option reinstalls Windows using an ISO and drivers from Windows Update, even when the PC won’t boot. You can turn it on in Settings > System > Recovery. No USB stick needed, and your personal files stay put.
After a recovery, your desktop also shows a summary of which apps and settings were restored. That’s handy when you’re trying to work out what’s missing.
How to get the update now or wait
Open Settings > Windows Update and switch on “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.” Then check for updates and install KB5127936. If you’d rather wait, nothing is needed: it lands automatically on November 10.
Not sure which version you run? Go to Settings > System > About. If you’re still on an older release, our guide to the Windows 11 26H2 rollout explains how the newer versions arrive. Schools and IT teams on 23H2 should also read about the 23H2 end-of-support deadline.
Tricky after an October patch? Our fix for a grayed-out Smart App Control may help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is KB5127936 safe to install?
Microsoft lists no known issues, and it becomes the standard update on November 10 anyway. Home users can install it now. On work PCs, give it a few days.
Why don’t I see “Customize menu”?
Microsoft rolls features out gradually. Make sure the update is installed, restart, and check again in a few days.
Can I get the old Windows 10 style menu back?
Yes. The update adds a setting that shows the legacy menu directly, so you no longer need to hold Shift.
Does Windows 11 24H2 get this update?
No. Per Windows Latest, 24H2 reached end of support on October 13, 2026, so it won’t receive KB5127936 or later updates.
Should you install it now?
If you live in File Explorer, yes, because a shorter right-click menu saves clicks every day. Just check Memory Integrity afterward if your PC feels slower. Everyone else can safely wait for November 10.
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