Microsoft Reverses Course: Brings Back the Classic Context Menu of Windows 10 After Years of Complaints

Microsoft finally addresses complaints and improves the File Explorer and context menu of Windows 11. The new update, available in the Experimental Channel, promises to resolve freezing issues and add options to recover the classic Windows 10 experience.

Improvements in File Explorer

Microsoft has been working for months to eliminate mysterious freezes and improve the overall performance of the tool.

Revamped Context Menu

The new version adds options for those who prefer the design and fluidity of the Windows 10 context menu.

Available in Experimental Channel

The update for Windows Insiders reflects the company's effort to regain user trust after admitting quality issues.

Microsoft is making significant changes to the File Explorer and context menu of Windows 11 to address quality problems and offer more flexibility to users when right-clicking. The company openly acknowledged that the operating system has had a difficult relationship with the word quality, and even Satya Nadella, Microsoft's CEO, pointed out that they needed to win back their followers. This update, available in the Windows Insider Experimental Channel, aims to restore confidence in a component that is the face of the system for millions of users.

According to Microsoft, one of the main objectives was to address recurring complaints about the File Explorer, which has suffered from an overload of functions and unfortunate design decisions. In a statement, the company explained that people tend to remember negative moments more, such as freezing when renaming a file or slow right-clicking, than dozens of smooth interactions. Therefore, after months of adjustments, they promise a more stable and agile tool, with fewer interruptions in the workflow.

A Context Menu Returning to Its Roots

The context menu of Windows 11 had been criticized since its redesign, considered by many as a step back in usability and speed. Microsoft has added options for those who prefer the Windows 10 style to regain that experience, as the company indicated. This change reflects a broader trend: the Redmond firm is willing to listen to users and undo unpopular decisions, as happened with the movable taskbar, which was restored in a previous update.

The team at The Register tested the new version in the Experimental Channel and found some pending details, such as issues with Microsoft 365 Copilot and the absence of some PowerToys icons in the context menu. However, the overall result was positive, and Microsoft's implicit admission that it might be better to leave things as they were was well received. The company seems to have taken note of the classic adage: if it ain't broke, don't fix it, or at least, don't fix it until it breaks.

The most significant change is that users who prefer the Windows 10 approach in the context menu now have the option to regain that feeling. This flexibility is a relief for those who learned to navigate the system with the muscle memory of Windows 10 and felt frustrated with the new design. Microsoft hopes these improvements will reduce complaints and enhance the overall image of Windows 11, which has been questioned due to hasty decisions during its lifecycle.

Technical Details and Context

The update is available in the Windows Insider Experimental Channel, which means it has not yet reached the final version and is still being tested with enthusiasts. Microsoft has spent the last few months tweaking File Explorer, working on mysterious freezes and workflow interruptions. The goal is to make the tool generally more useful, with more consistent performance and a lower tendency to fail at critical moments.

The context of this decision is important: Microsoft had been criticized for prioritizing aesthetics over functionality and for releasing updates that broke established workflows. The movable taskbar, removed in Windows 11 and restored after protests, is another example of this dynamic. Now, with these changes, Microsoft is trying to balance innovation with stability, recognizing that backward compatibility in user experience is vital for its installed base.

Although some visual aspects of the context menu remain, the ability to revert to the classic Windows 10 design is a gesture towards nostalgia and familiarity. Microsoft also seems to be listening to criticisms about performance, as slow right-clicking was one of the most cited issues in forums and social media. The company hopes that the combination of stability and customization will restore confidence in the operating system.

The Immediate Future of Windows

The update is in an early testing stage, so it could still change before its general release. Microsoft has not given an official date for the arrival of these improvements for all users, but the fact that they are in the Experimental Channel suggests that the company is moving in the right direction. The next steps include evaluating feedback from Insiders and polishing the details that still fail.

For users, the message is clear: Microsoft is willing to undo changes that did not work and to offer options to adapt to different preferences. The restoration of the movable taskbar and now these improvements in Explorer and the context menu are signs of a company more responsive to the demands of its community. It remains to be seen whether the rest of the features of Windows 11 will follow this path, but the change in attitude is already noticeable.

In summary, Microsoft has taken a significant step towards reconciliation with its users, improving two of the most visible and used elements of its operating system. The fact that criticisms are being heard and concrete solutions are being offered is a lesson in humility for a company that has often been perceived as arrogant. The future of Windows 11 will depend on its ability to sustain this approach in the long term.