To open the full right-click menu in Windows 11, hold Shift while right-clicking a file or folder. You can also right-click normally and choose Show more options. These methods open the additional commands for that selection; they do not permanently replace the Windows 11 menu. If you are recreating the overall Windows 10 look, see our guide to making Windows 11 look like Windows 10.
- Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
- Find the file or folder you want to work with.
- Hold Shift and right-click that item. Release Shift after the menu opens.
- Choose the command you need.
Microsoft documents Shift with a mouse right-click as the shortcut for the Show more options context menu.
Use Show more options instead
- Right-click the file or folder without holding Shift.
- Select Show more options.
- Look through the expanded menu for your command.
Before opening another menu, check the common-action icons. Hover over an icon to see its name; the command you need may already be available. Microsoft explains this layout in its File Explorer guide.
- Select the item using the keyboard.
- Press Shift + F10 to open its context menu.
- If that menu includes Show more options, use the arrow keys to select it and press Enter.
Shift + F10 opens a context menu; the exact menu depends on where you use it. For more navigation options, see our guide to right-clicking without a mouse.
What if an app’s command is missing?
Check the full menu first. App integration with the shorter Windows 11 menu depends on the developer; ask the app’s support team about availability. Opening the full menu and adding a new app command are different tasks.
This guide covers Microsoft’s documented access methods. It does not provide a permanent-menu modification or a Registry workaround.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.