How to integrate custom context menu shortcuts on Windows 11
Get faster access to apps, settings, and websites with custom context menu shortcuts.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
OnWindows 11, you can customize the context menu to add custom shortcuts, and I will show you how in this guide. Although you can make an easy trip to the Start menu to launch an application, search the web, and open a specific feature or setting, asour sister site Tom’s Hardwarepointed out, it’s also possible to modify the right-click context menu through the Registry to access some resources even faster since this specific menu is always one right-click away.
In the past, I have created different guides to add specific entries (such as to accessWindows Update,Command Prompt, and others) to the right-click context menu. However, in these instructions, I outline the process of creating shortcuts for virtually anything.
The only caveat is that these instructions only work with the classic version of the context menu, not the modern interface. However, it’s easily accessible using the"Shift + Right-click"shortcut.
In thishow-to guide, I will explain the changes you have to make to the Registry to add custom shortcuts to the system’s context menu on Windows 11.
How to create custom context menu shortcuts on Windows 11
Using the Registry, you can add custom shortcuts to virtually anything on Windows 11. The instructions below will give you some examples of how to add entries to launch apps and features (such as quick access to specific Settings pages) and open particular websites.
Warning:This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky and can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don’t do it correctly. It’s recommended that youcreate a full backupof your PC before proceeding.
Launch apps shortcut
To create a context menu entry to start an app, use these steps:
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
Once you complete the steps, you can"Shift + Right-click"on the desktop or inside of a folder on File Explorer to find the new shortcut.
You can add entries to launch virtually any app. For example, you can use these paths for common applications:
You can find the paths of other Office apps inC:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16.
Launch features shortcut
To create a context menu to launch a feature, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the legacy context menu will show the new entry.
Some common places in the Settings app that you may consider adding to the context menu include:
Launch website shortcut
To add a shortcut to open a website from the context menu, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you will find the option to launch a specific website when you use the"Shift + Right-click"shortcut to open the classic context on Windows 11.
It’s important to note that I’m choosing the"microsoft-edge"handler to open the web page with Microsoft Edge.
(Optional) Add context menu entry icon
If you want to identify the entry with an icon, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the specified icon will appear next to the custom context menu entry.
Get icon index number
To get the icon number, you will have to use a third-party application, and here’s how:
Once you complete the steps, you will be able to use the system icons to add icons to the custom shortcuts in your context menu.
It’s important to note that while testing this configuration, for some reason, the ID numbers for icons were not correct. For example, if I used the ID “17,” the system would show the ID “16.” If I used the ID 21, then the system would use the ID “20.” So, you may need to play around to land on the icon you want.
(Optional) Disable modern context menu
To turn off the modern context menu on Windows 11, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, you will have to restart the computer to have access to the classic menu and the new shortcuts without extra steps.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
