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How to Disable the “Customize menu” in Windows 11’s Right-Click Menu

Turn off the Windows 11 Customize menu entry in Settings when your build includes the control, and understand the limits of the reported Registry workaround.
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On Windows 11 builds that include the control, open Settings > Personalization > Context menu and turn off Customize menu. The option is not available on every build or rollout, so check your PC before trying a workaround.

Turn off Customize menu in Settings

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Personalization > Context menu.
  3. Switch off Customize menu.

This hides the Customize menu entry; it is not a switch for disabling right-click menus generally. Third-party Windows guides report the Settings control on some Windows 11 preview builds, but Microsoft’s published File Explorer guidance does not confirm this specific setting. If the Context menu page or toggle is missing, the feature may not be available in your build or rollout.

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Check whether your Windows build includes it

Availability reports are tied to preview builds and differ: Kapil Arya reported the option for Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26340.9212 or later, while ElevenForum associated it with build 26340.9482. These are secondary-source reports, not a guarantee that the control is present in a particular stable release or on every eligible device. Check the Settings page on your PC rather than relying on a build number alone. Kapil Arya’s guide; ElevenForum discussion.

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Optional Registry route

Third-party guides also report a per-user Registry preference for this setting. Microsoft documentation confirming this exact value was not found, so use this route only if you have verified that it applies to your Windows build. A Registry change can cause problems if made incorrectly.

  1. Back up the Registry or create a restore point before editing.
  2. Open Registry Editor and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerContextMenuPreferences.
  3. Look for the ShowCustomizeMenu value. The reports identify this value and location, but do not establish a universal default or a safe value to enter on every build. Do not create or change it unless reliable instructions for your specific build confirm the required setting.

This is a current-user preference, according to the third-party reports; it is not a documented system-wide policy. If the key or value is absent, do not assume that adding it will work.

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What disabling this entry changes

The setting is intended to hide the single Customize menu shortcut. It does not remove third-party commands, disable all context menus, or remove the legacy menu. Microsoft explains that File Explorer’s streamlined Windows 11 context menu may not show every extension; choose Show more options to access older extensions. Microsoft’s File Explorer help.

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Don’t confuse it with other context-menu controls

  • “Customize menu” is the newer Windows 11 entry that opens context-menu personalization controls.
  • “Customize this folder” is a separate, older folder-related property or context-menu item. Instructions for removing that item do not apply to the newer Customize menu entry. ElevenForum’s guide to Customize this folder.
  • Some Group Policy settings target specific menus, such as taskbar context menus. They are not evidence of a policy for hiding only this Customize entry. Avoid broad policy changes when your goal is to remove one shortcut. Microsoft notes that Local Group Policy Editor is not available in Windows Home and cautions that policy changes can affect system operation. Microsoft policy reference; Microsoft: Local Group Policy Editor availability.

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