How to Declutter the Windows 11 Context Menu: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve just made the jump to Windows 11 and find yourself scrolling through endless context menu options like Edit with Photos, Edit with Paint, or even Edit in Notepad, you’re probably wondering, "Why am I wading through this clutter every time I right-click?" Let’s face it: The context menu – also known as the right-click menu – has become a bit of a hot mess in Windows 11. Unlike its predecessor, Windows 10, where the context menu kept things sleek and manageable, its successor has thrown in seemingly everything but the kitchen sink.
Fear not, though! With a few Registry tweaks (think of them as the "control center" for deep Windows personalization), you can declutter this menu and return it to its rightful, minimalistic glory. And don’t worry—I’ll guide you through this step-by-step, with warnings before the tricky parts to keep your system safe.

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Why You Should Clean Up Your Windows 11 Context Menu​

First, let’s examine the reasons to clean up your right-click menu. Beyond aesthetics, there are practical reasons:

1. Speed Enhancements: Fewer entries mean faster access to the options you actually use.
2. Reduce Confusion: Why endlessly scroll or hunt down the one context menu item you need when you can have a menu that’s short and sweet?
3. Professionalism: An uncluttered menu looks cleaner and less chaotic during screen shares or presentations.

Take Edit with Photos, for example—this option appears every time you right-click on an image. But within the Photos app itself, the same editing options are just a click away. Similarly, Edit with Paint could easily be pulled up via "Open With." And Edit in Notepad? That one seems particularly out of place, as it shows up even when you right-click on non-text files like images or executables. These entries exist more out of accessibility than necessity and can often feel redundant.
So – why keep all these entries if you don’t use them? Now’s the time to roll up your sleeves and start cleaning.

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The Power of the Windows Registry: A Quick Word of Caution​

When tweaking Windows’ Registry, think of yourself as a surgeon delicately navigating the nervous system of your PC. A small mistake can lead to unintended consequences, such as unstable behavior or even system failure. Don’t worry though—if you back up your system first and follow this guide carefully, you’ll be just fine.

Backup Your System First!​

1. Create a Restore Point:
   • Go to Start and type Create a restore point.
   • Select your system drive (usually C, click Configure, and ensure system protection is turned ON.
   • Click Create, name the restore point (e.g., Before Context Menu Changes), and let Windows do its thing.
2. Export a Backup of the Registry (Optional but Handy):
   • Open Run (Win + R), type regedit, and hit Enter.
   • Navigate to File > Export in the Registry Editor and save a backup file.

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Deleting Context Menu Entries: The Hands-On Guide​

Here’s how to strip away redundant entries like Edit with Photos, Edit with Paint, and Edit in Notepad. We’ll leverage a specific Registry key where Windows stores the list of options displayed in the context menu.

Step 1: Open The Registry Editor​

1. Press Win + R.
2. Type regedit and hit Enter.
3. Approve the User Account Control (UAC) prompt by clicking Yes.

Step 2: Navigate to the Critical Key​

In the Registry Editor, head to this location:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions

Now that you’re in the right spot, you’ll see a folder labeled Shell Extensions in the left-hand pane.

Step 3: Create a "Blocked" Key​

1. Right-click the Shell Extensions folder.
2. Hover over New and select Key.
3. Name the new key Blocked.

This key will act as a blacklist for the items you want to remove.

Step 4: Add Entries to Remove​

Within the new Blocked folder, you’ll add specific string values to disable context menu entries. Here’s the cheat sheet:
| Context Menu Option | String Value |
|--------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| Edit with Photos | {BFE0E2A4-C70C-4AD7-AC3D-10D1ECEBB5B4} |
| Edit with Paint | {2430F218-B743-4FD6-97BF-5C76541B4AE9} |
| Edit in Notepad | {CA6CC9F1-867A-481E-951E-A28C5E4F01EA} |

Add These Entries:​

1. Right-click the Blocked folder and select New > String Value.
2. Name the new string value exactly as it appears in the table above (e.g., for Edit with Photos, enter {BFE0E2A4-C70C-4AD7-AC3D-10D1ECEBB5B4}).
3. Repeat this for each entry you want removed.

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Step 5: Restart Your PC​

To apply the changes, simply restart your computer. Once you’re back online, check out your context menu—it should now be significantly tidier, with the redundant entries gone.

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Optional: Uninstall Paint to Go a Step Further​

If you never use Microsoft Paint and want to nuke the Edit with Paint context menu option entirely, uninstalling the Paint app is a simple alternative. Follow these steps:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Apps > Installed Apps.
3. Find Paint in the list, click the three-dot menu icon, and choose Uninstall.
4. Confirm your choice.

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Restoring Entries If You Change Your Mind​

Oops—did you remove something you actually miss? Here’s how to make the entries reappear:

1. Open regedit and navigate back to the Blocked key.
2. Delete the string value associated with the option you want restored (e.g., delete {BFE0E2A4-C70C-4AD7-AC3D-10D1ECEBB5B4} to restore Edit with Photos).
3. Restart your computer to finalize the restoration.

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Final Thoughts​

Windows 11 may have brought some delightful visual updates, but the cluttered context menu definitely isn’t winning any awards. By trimming down redundant entries, not only can you recapture the minimalism of Windows 10, but you can also create a smoother, less frustrating user experience.
The process above might seem technical, but with careful execution and a solid backup, it’s entirely manageable—even for those less savvy with system tinkering. So why not take control of your context menu today? After all, your PC should work for you, not against you.
Share your thoughts or let us know how decluttering worked out for you in the comments below! What unnecessary context menu items drive you crazy? Let’s talk!

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Source: How-To Geek How to Remove Redundant Entries From the Windows 11 Context Menu