SwitchExplorer is a tiny open source program for Windows 11 that gives users more control over File Explorer.
Here is what it does: it gives you the option to change to the Windows 10 File Explorer and use the classic context menu as well.
When Microsoft launched Windows 11, it introduced a new File Explorer context menu that limited programs to one root entry. The new menu did not support classic context menus, and this meant that users had to switch to the classic menu for some actions.
While Microsoft implemented an option to do so using the new menu or a keyboard shortcut, it was anything but user friendly.
Soon thereafter, a Registry tweak made the rounds that would make the classic context menu the default again in File Explorer on Windows 11.
SwitchExplorer makes it easier
If you do not feel like editing the Windows Registry, you may use the open source tool to make the change for you.
Here is how it works:
- Download the latest version of SwitchExplorer from the GitHub repository.
- Extract the archive to the local system.
- Run the SwitchExplorer executable.
- Skip the SmartScreen warning, if Windows displays it.
Now you have two options:
- Switch the Explorer type from Windows 11 to Windows 10, or vice versa.
- Set the context menu to the Windows 10 or the Windows 11 context menu.
Activate the ok-button once you are done. SwitchExplorer restarts the explorer.exe process and the changes should be visible right away. A restart is not required.
You can undo any change by selecting the default Windows 11 options. This does not require a restart either.
Closing Words
SwitchExplorer is a small tool that may be of use to some Windows 11 users. If your favorite programs have not been updated yet to show an entry in the new context menu, you may consider using the classic context menu all the time.
Similarly, if you prefer the Windows 10 Explorer, you can enable it using the tool.
What about you? Do you like the Windows 11 File Explorer and context menu? Feel free to leave a comment down below!
Win 11 Explorer, I don’t care for the redundant buttons in the ribbon. I am however finding uses for Tabs.
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The context menu, I’ve already tweaked to my preferences like I always have. I don’t like the way the context menu is implented in win 11 though. The registry is a mess of different types of entires in different locations. There’s no uniform structure now.
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No one has figured out how to remove “bitmap” from the “new” section of the context menu. Who the fork creates new bitmaps enough to find that useful?
There are several sites online with directions: remove “bitmap” from the “new” section of the context menu.
I must have used WinAeroTweaker or Ultimate Windows Tweaker because I checked File Explorer on Windows 11 and the Windows 10 Ribbon is displayed along with the Windows 10 Context Menu.
NirSoft RegScanner may come in helpful when deleting the .bmp value data.