Windows 11: goodbye to chaotic context menus. Microsoft listens to users

Windows 11, since its debut, has divided users. Among the most heated criticisms are its context menus: a maze of options, inconsistencies, and slowness, a topic we've often addressed in our pages. However, something is about to change. Microsoft, through Marcus Ash, VP of Design and Research for Windows & Devices, has confirmed its commitment to a deep review.

@TeaAndDates @marchr working on making context menus faster, simpler by default, configurable to what you use most. more will be shared on our approach soon. -- Marcus Ash (@marcusash) June 3, 2026

Ash shared on X (formerly Twitter) that Redmond is working to make context menus "faster and simpler by default." But that's not all: they will also be "configurable based on what you use most." A significant promise, considering the widespread complaints. For years, users have labeled them as "bulky, inconsistent, and frustrating to navigate."

Windows 11: What Will Change in Context Menus

Last year, there were discussions about a "split" context menu, capable of grouping relevant options into specific categories, for example, a "Photos" section for image-related functions. This logic, combined with the promise of customization, could solve the long-standing issue of useless options. Think about Clipchamp: if someone doesn't use it, why should they see its link? Ash suggests we might finally be able to "remove or replace" these shortcuts with our preferred editors.

Microsoft is also optimizing the performance of context menus, falling under an internal initiative known as Windows K2. The goal is clear: a smoother user experience, with fewer interruptions. It won't be easy to solve everything in one go. The heterogeneity of the OS, with its baggage of legacy apps and outdated components, makes a complete unification of the menus challenging. Different apps, and even different sections of the same app, show different context menus. An example? The "AI actions" section in File Explorer, which many would like to be able to remove.

The hope for Windows users is that Ash's vision materializes soon, bringing significant relief to the daily interaction with Redmond's latest operating system.