Starting with Windows 8, Microsoft introduced a new Power User menu. You can open it using the Windows key + X keyboard shortcut or right-clicking on the Start menu icon on the taskbar. If you want, you can modify the Win + X menu and add custom options or shortcuts.
By default, the Win + X menu is divided into three groups starting at the bottom. Each option in the Power User menu gives you access to a system app or function such as the Task Manager, Power Options, Apps & Features, Terminal, Device Manager, System, etc.
To put it simply, the Win + X menu makes it easy to access the most used apps and functions of the operating system.
Though the default options are pretty good, wouldn’t it be nice if you can add or remove options or menu items from the Win + X menu? For example, maybe you want to remove less-used options like Computer Management and add a custom shortcut to the Win + X menu to launch your favorite app or Control Panel. That way, you can declutter the Win + X menu and make that much more useful.
In this guide, let me show you how to modify the Win + X menu to add or remove options from it.
Modify Win + X Menu on Windows
The menu items in the Power User menu (Win + X) are a bit different from the regular shortcut. As such, we will use a free program called Win + X Menu Editor to modify the Win + X menu and add or remove options from it. This program makes adding, removing, or changing Win + X menu items easy.
First, download the Win + X Menu Editor using the link below.
https://winaero.com/download.php?view.21
After downloading, extract the ZIP file to a folder on your Windows desktop. To do that, right-click the ZIP file and select “Extract here.” If you want, you also use third-party ZIP software to open the download ZIP file.
Next, open the extracted folder and follow the below steps.
1. Add an option to the Win + X menu
First, open the Win + X Menu Editor application. As soon as you open it, you will see all the menu options. As I said before, the Win + X menu is divided into three groups. You can see those groups in the main window.
To add a new shortcut item, select the Group folder and then click on the “Add a program” option on the top navigation bar. In my case, I want to add a shortcut to the Group3 folder. So, I selected that folder.
The above action will open the application picker window. Find the .exe file of your favorite application and click on the “Open” button.
Type a name for the shortcut and click on the “Ok” button.
After adding the shortcut, you need to restart Explorer to apply the changes. Click on the “Restart Explorer” button at the bottom right corner.
That is it. You’ve successfully added a new shortcut to the Win + X menu. If you now open the power user menu, you will see the new shortcut. Following the same procedure, you can add as many shortcuts, presets, or Control Panel items to the Win + X menu.
Additionally, you can also create custom groups too. That way, you can keep all your custom shortcuts or options in a group of its own. To do that, click on the “Create a group” option on the top navigation bar.
2. Remove an option from the Win + X menu
If you want to de-clutter the Win + X menu, you can remove unused or unwanted options from it. It is pretty easy to do. Let me show you how.
Just as before, open the Win + X Menu Editor application. After that, select the option you want to remove and click the “Remove” button at the top.
As soon as you do that, the menu item is removed instantly. To apply the changes, click the Restart Explorer button.
Adding or removing menu items from Win + X menu — Conclusion
As you can see, it is pretty easy to edit Win + X menu on Windows to add or remove menu options from it. Sure, you want to use a third-party app to make things easier, but it is way better than manually creating a shortcut in the Win + X folder. Most of all, the program makes it easy to add Control Panel shortcuts to the Win + X menu.
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That is it. It is that simple to modify Win + X menu on Windows.
I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need help, send an email, and I will try to help as much as possible.
