How to Enable or Disable Explorer Context Menu in Windows 7 and Windows 8

   Information
This tutorial will allow you to enable or disable all Windows Explorer, Desktop, File, and Folder context menus for all or specific users in Windows 7 and Windows 8.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

EXAMPLE: Desktop Context Menu
NOTE: This is for when you right click on a empty space on the desktop. For more context menu examples, see Context Menu - Right Click vs Shift Right Click.
Windows Explorer Context Menu - Enable or Disable-desktop.jpg





OPTION ONE

Enable or Disable Explorer Context Menu using a REG File


1. To Enable Windows Explorer Context Menu for All Users
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 3 below.
Enable_Windows_Explorer_Context_Menu.reg
2. To Disable Windows Explorer Context Menu for All Users
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 3 below.
Disable_Windows_Explorer_Context_Menu.reg


Download

3. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

4. Double click/tap on the extracted .reg file to merge it.

5. Click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.





OPTION TWO

Enable or Disable Explorer Context Menu in Group Policy


1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane, click/tap on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and Windows Explorer (Windows 7) or File Explorer (Windows 8). (See screenshot below)
Windows Explorer Context Menu - Enable or Disable-group_policy.jpg
3. In the right pane, double click/tap on Remove Windows Explorer's default context menu (Windows 7) or Remove File Explorer's default context menu (Windows 8) to edit it. (See screenshot above)

4. To Enable Windows Explorer Context Menu
A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled, and go to step 6 below. (See screenshot below step 6)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.
5. To Disable Windows Explorer Context Menu
A) Select (dot) Enabled, and go to step 6 below. (See screenshot below step 6)
6. Click/tap on OK. (See screenshot below)
Windows Explorer Context Menu - Enable or Disable-properties.jpg
7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.
That's it,
Shawn