Learn how to show the primary items, such as cut, copy, rename, share, and delete, inline instead of at the top of the context menu in Windows 11.
Quick steps: Open Settings, go to “Personalization” > “Context menu“, and turn ON the “Arrange primary actions inline” toggle.
One of the biggest changes to the right-click context menu in Windows 11 is that it, by default, shows the primary action items such as cut, copy, rename, share, and delete at the top. Generally, this is a good thing because it gives you access to common actions without having to go through the menu. While it’s good, if you’d rather show these primary items inline, that is, in between other options, you can do it starting from build 26340.9212 (v26H2). This is especially useful for those who want to customize the right-click menu or make the primary action items look like any other option in the context menu (essentially restoring the older context menu style).
In this quick and easy guide, let me show you how to show primary items in the context menu inline. Let’s get started.
Before You Start
- You should be using build 26340.9212 (v26H2) or higher to follow the steps below.
Show Primary Items in the Context Menu Inline Using Settings
- Open the Settings app using “Windows key + I“.
- Go to the “Personalization” tab on the left sidebar.
- Click the “Context menu” option on the right panel.
- Turn ON the “Arrange primary actions inline” toggle to show primary action items inline.
- Turn OFF the “Arrange primary actions inline” toggle to show primary action items at the top of the context menu.
Show Primary Items in the Context Menu Inline Using Registry Editor
Important note: Before proceeding, please back up the registry.
Open the Start menu by pressing the “Start” button on your keyboard. Search for “Registry Editor” and click the top result or the “Open” option in the right panel. Once the Registry Editor opens, go to the following folder using the left sidebar.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ContextMenu\Preferences\
Now, right-click the “Preferences” folder and select “New“, then “Key“. Name the new folder “DemoteTopBar“.
After creating the subfolder, right-click “DemoteTopBar” and select the “New“, then “DWORD (32-bit) Value” option. Name it “Enabled“.
Double-click the “Enabled” value, set its Value Data to “1“, then click “OK“. This action disables the top bar in the context menu and shows the primary action item inline.
If you want to reverse the change, either delete the “Enabled” value or change its Value Data to 0.
Finally, close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. After restarting, the right-click context menu shows your primary action item inline (assuming you set the Enabled value data to 1).
That’s it. Write down any questions or comments you have below. I’ll respond quickly.
Thank you,
Vamsi.
