How to enable new fully customizable context menu for Windows 11

• Windows 11 26H2 has a redesigned context menu with a more compact layout and new customization controls.
• ViveTool can manually unlock the experience using a specific feature code on supported preview builds.
• After enabling the feature, the new Context menu settings appear under Settings > Personalization > Context menu.
• The feature is still being tested, so availability may vary depending on the Windows 11 build.
• These steps have also been successfully tested in the latest preview of the next cumulative update of version 25H2.

On Windows 11, Microsoft is testing a redesigned context menu that gives users more control over how commands and app extensions appear in version 26H2. The new experience also introduces a more compact layout and a dedicated Customize option for managing available actions.

However, the redesigned context menu is still being tested and may not be available by default for all Insiders. If you’re running a supported preview build, you can use the ViveTool (via @PhantomOfEarth) to manually enable the feature and try it before the company makes it available more broadly.

Related

Complete list of ViveTool codes to enable hidden features on Windows 11

In this guide, I’ll show you the steps to access the new context menu overhaul using ViveTool.

Enable new context menu redesign on Windows 11

To enable the new fully customizable context menu on Windows 11 26H2 after installing build 26340.9212 or a higher release (steps should also work for update KB5121003), follow these steps:

1. Open the GitHub website.

2. Download the ViveTool-vx.x.x.zip file to enable the new context menu settings on Windows 11.

3. Double-click the zip folder to open it with File Explorer.

4. Click the Extract all button.

   

5. Click the Extract button.

6. Copy the path to the folder.

7. Open Start.

8. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

9. Type the following command to navigate to the ViveTool folder and press Enter:

   cd c:\folder\path\ViveTool-v0.x.x

   In the command, remember to change the path to the folder to your path.

10. Type the following command to enable the new context menu customization settings and press Enter:

    vivetool /enable /id:60813048

11. Restart the computer to apply the changes.

Once you complete the steps, the command should enable the new customization settings for the context menu, and they should appear in Settings > Personalization > Context menu.

If you want to undo the changes, you can follow the same instructions outlined above, but in step 10, run the vivetool /disable /id:60813048 command and continue running the different commands, depending on which ones you enabled.

These instructions should also work for the latest preview of the cumulative update included in the September 2026 Security Update.

Install Windows 11 September 2026 Security Update

The installation process for the update, which includes the new context menu changes, depends on when you try to access the improvements. If it’s before the update is generally available, you’ll have to enroll your device in the Experimental channel of the Windows Insider Program. If the update is generally available as an optional install, you can just check for updates through the Windows Update settings without enrolling in the Windows Insider Program.

Install the update before it’s generally available

To enroll and install preview updates of Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Windows Update.

3. Click the Windows Insider Program page.

4. Click the Get started button.

   

5. Click the “Continue” button to join the program with your currently logged-in Microsoft account.

   

   Quick note: You may need to click the “Edit” button to select a Microsoft account.

6. Click the Continue button.

   

7. Select the Experimental option under the “Select your experience” section.

8. Click the Advanced options button.

9. Select the “Windows 11, version 25H2/26H2” option under the “Select your experience” section.

10. Click the Restart button.

11. Open Settings after the reboot.

12. Click on Windows Update.

13. Check the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switch.

14. Click the “Check for updates” button.

    

15. Click the Restart now button.

Once you complete the steps, the latest preview of the operating system will be installed on your computer, giving you access to upcoming features, changes, and fixes.

Install the update after it’s generally available

To install the preview of the next quality update of Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Windows Update.

3. Check the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switch.

4. Click the “Check for updates” button.

   

5. (Optional) Click the “Download and install” option to apply a preview of an upcoming update of Windows 11.

6. Click the Restart now button.

7. Open Microsoft Store.

8. Click on Downloads in the bottom left.

9. Click the “Check for updates” button to ensure apps and system components are up to date.

After you complete the steps, if an update is available, Windows 11 will download and install it automatically.