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New Windows 11 update fixes File Explorer menu mess – and patches an exploited flaw
Tech > Services & Software > Operating Systems > Windows > Windows 11
With the November Patch Tuesday rollout, you can finally customize your right-click menu in Windows 11. It fixes 1,094 security flaws, too.
Windows 11 users who’ve struggled to navigate and use the right-click menu in File Explorer now finally have some relief. With the November Patch Tuesday Windows update, you’re now able to customize the menu to add and remove specific commands and apps so that only your favorites appear.
As usual, the monthly update is mandatory, which means it should automatically download and install on your PC. To check, head to Settings and select Windows Update. If the latest update — labeled “2026-11 Security Update (KB5132061) (26300.9974)” -– pops up as installed with a pending restart, just reboot your computer. Otherwise, click the button to check for updates and allow it to download and install.
Also: You can change Windows settings directly from a search now
One caveat: Microsoft’s monthly updates fully support Windows 11 26H2 and 25H2. But support for 24H2 ended last month, at least for the Home and Pro editions. Windows 11 24H2 Enterprise and Education will continue to get monthly security updates, though not regular non-security preview updates, while Windows 11 23H2 Enterprise and Education will receive no more updates after this month.
If you use Windows 11 Home or Pro, be sure you upgrade your system to 26H2 to continue receiving the necessary support and updates.
First and foremost in the latest update is the new customizable right-click menu.
The context-sensitive right-click menu is a handy way to quickly access key settings, features, and apps, both in File Explorer and on the desktop. But there’s always been a flaw in its basic design. The more apps you install, the more cluttered and disorganized the menu becomes. That was especially problematic in previous versions of Windows. The old-style, classic menu would grow so long that it would be difficult to navigate and let you find the item you wanted.
With Windows 11, Microsoft introduced a more modern and pared-down menu. But this version can also get crowded. Plus, it may not display every command you need, so you often have to revert to the older classic menu. You’re then stuck dealing with two separate versions of the same menu, leading to an even more confusing and cumbersome experience.