Table of Contents
Fix: ‘Context Menu Opening Slow’ issue in Windows 11: A slow context menu in Windows 11 may be the result of a number of different circumstances. These variables may include the incorporation of third-party options, the visual performance settings of your Windows environment, the addition of Windows Terminal, and other things.
It is possible that these circumstances will add to the overall slowdown of the context menu, which will result in the menu being sluggish and not the best option for use. Windows 11, the most recent version of Microsoft’s operating system, has garnered a lot of attention for the additional capabilities it offers and the user experience it provides. On the other hand, it is not immune to problems, and one of the most prevalent complaints is that the context menu is either slow or absent.
The context menu, which is an integral component of the operating system, allows you to quickly access commands and options that are associated with the item that you are clicking on during the process of clicking. Due to the fact that the context menu is utilized for a variety of functions on a regular basis, it is essential that it be speedy and responsive. In the following paragraphs, we will provide a list of several techniques that you can do in order to eliminate the sluggish behavior of the right-click menu feature in Windows 11. Here are the ways Fix ‘Context Menu Opening Slow’ issue in Windows 11.
Causes of the ‘Context Menu Opening Slow’ issue in Windows 11
- Large Number of Items: If the context menu has to load a large number of items, it can cause delays. This often happens when dealing with folders or files containing numerous entries.
- System Resource Constraints: Insufficient system resources, such as low RAM or CPU power, can impact the speed at which the context menu opens.
- Outdated Drivers: Outdated or incompatible drivers, especially those related to graphics and input devices, might lead to performance issues in various aspects of the operating system, including context menu responsiveness.
- Corrupted System Files: Damaged or corrupted system files can result in slow performance. Running system file checks and repairing any issues can help resolve this.
- Windows Updates: Pending or failed Windows updates may contribute to performance problems. Ensure that your system is up-to-date with the latest updates and patches.
- Disk Issues: Problems with the storage drive, such as fragmentation or disk errors, can affect the speed at which the context menu loads. Regular maintenance, such as disk cleanup and defragmentation, can help address these issues.
Fix: ‘Context Menu Opening Slow’ issue in Windows 11
Update Windows 11

- Click on the Start button.
- Select ‘Settings.’
- Navigate to ‘Windows Update.‘
- Click on ‘Check for updates.’
Update Device Drivers
- Press
Win + X
and choose ‘Device Manager.’ - Locate the device category with a yellow triangle (indicating an issue).
- Right-click on the device and choose ‘Update driver.’
- Select ‘Search automatically for updated driver software.’
Disable Unnecessary Context Menu Items
- Press
Win + R
to open the Run dialog. - Type
regedit
and press Enter. - Navigate to
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers.
- Right-click on suspicious entries and choose ‘Delete.’
Step 4: Perform System File Checker (SFC) Scan
- Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type
sfc /scannow
and press Enter. - Wait for the scan to complete.
Optimize Context Menu with ShellExView
- Download and install ShellExView from NirSoft.
- Run the application and disable non-essential context menu items.
- Restart your computer.
Adjust Visual Effects
- Right-click on ‘This PC‘ and choose ‘Properties.’
- Select ‘Advanced system settings.‘
- Under the ‘Performance‘ section, click ‘Settings.’
- Choose ‘Adjust for best performance‘ or customize options as needed.
Conclusion
When working on a computer running Windows 10, one of the most common issues that users may have is that File Explorer is operating at a poor speed. Recently, a large number of users have reported that they occasionally experience their Windows 11 File Explorer operating at a slow speed. I would ask that you not be concerned in the event that this actually occurs; there are a number of efficient solutions to the problem of File Explorer being slow.
This problem could be caused by a wide variety of factors, including the following: an excessive amount of RAM is being consumed by a large number of processes that are operating in the background; a problem with Quick Access; a problem with search and indexing; improper settings; file corruption; and so on.
Questions and Answers
Graphic card driver should be updated. To download and install the most recent driver, go to the manufacturer’s support website and follow the instructions there. One option is to go with a Clean Boot. I tried the registry solution, but it did not work for me; the right-click function in Windows 11 is still rather slow overall.
The click-drag action distance detection in the taskbar of Windows 11 is extremely modest. A mere three pixels. The desired input action, which is a click, is simply disregarded and discarded if you press the button down and then move the cursor farther than three pixels before pressing in the upward direction.
If you have a context menu that has a large number of shell extensions from third parties, then it is possible that one of those extensions is corrupted, which is the reason why the right-click context menu is taking so long to appear. Also, the delay may be caused by a number of shell extensions; therefore, it is imperative that you disable any and all shell extensions that are not required.