Microsoft to overhaul Windows 11 right-click menu for speed

Microsoft is developing a major overhaul of the right-click context menu in Windows 11, aiming to address widespread user complaints about slow load times and excessive clutter. The planned update will introduce a faster, more compact menu design alongside new customization features, representing a key part of the company's broader initiative to improve the operating system's performance and user experience.

The current context menu has been criticized for its sluggish response, often taking a noticeable moment to appear when users right-click in File Explorer or on the desktop. This delay is attributed to the menu loading shortcuts and actions from both Microsoft's own applications and numerous third-party programs, which can add entries without user input. The resulting clutter has been a persistent frustration since Windows 11's launch.

The new compact menu is designed to prioritize commonly used functions and avoid loading every extension upfront, which should make it significantly faster and more responsive. A central component of the redesign is a new customization feature that will give users direct control over the menu's contents. Users will reportedly be able to choose...