HOW TO FIX RIGHT CLICK CONTEXT MENU

Test the context menu from the keyboard first: select a file and press Shift+F10—if the menu opens, troubleshoot the mouse; if it does not, repair Windows and isolate third-party shell software.

Since restarting Explorer/the PC and installing updates did not help, proceed with these new checks.

1. Separate a mouse problem from a Windows problem

1. Open File Explorer with Windows key+E.
2. Select any file using the arrow keys.
3. Press Shift+F10 or the dedicated Menu/Context Menu key, if your keyboard has one.

If the menu opens: Windows can produce the menu, so test the mouse:

• Unplug and reconnect it, using a different USB port without a USB hub.
• For a wireless mouse, recharge/replace its battery and reconnect its receiver.
• Test another mouse, or test the current mouse on another PC.
• If needed, open Device Manager → Mice and other pointing devices → your mouse → Driver → Update Driver. Microsoft documents these hardware and driver checks here ^1^.

If Shift+F10 also does nothing, continue below.

2. Repair Windows components and system files

1. Press Windows key, type cmd.
2. Select Run as administrator for Command Prompt. If right-click is unavailable, use the arrow keys to select it and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
3. Run these commands in order:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
sfc /scannow

Wait for DISM to complete successfully, then allow SFC to reach 100%. DISM repairs the Windows component image that SFC uses, while SFC checks and replaces damaged protected system files ^2^.

Restart Windows and retest right-click in File Explorer, Start, and the taskbar.

3. Check for a third-party shell conflict

Context-menu extensions installed by archive tools, cloud-storage clients, antivirus products, graphics utilities, and similar software can integrate with File Explorer. A clean boot determines whether a non-Microsoft service or startup program is interfering:

1. Press Windows key+R, enter msconfig, and press Enter.
2. Open Services.
3. Select Hide all Microsoft services first, then select Disable all and Apply.
   Do not disable services before hiding Microsoft services.
4. Open Startup → Open Task Manager.
5. Disable each enabled startup item, recording what you disabled.
6. Restart and test right-click.

Microsoft notes that some functionality can be temporarily unavailable in a clean-boot environment. If right-click works there, re-enable services and startup items in halves until the conflicting program is identified; then update, repair, or uninstall that program. Restore normal startup afterward through System Configuration → General → Normal startup ^3^.

4. Reinstall the current Windows version without removing apps or files

If right-click still fails everywhere, use Windows 11’s repair reinstall:

1. Open Settings → System → Recovery.
2. Under Fix problems using Windows Update, select Reinstall now.
3. Keep the PC connected to power and the internet.
4. Complete the installation and restart.

This reinstalls the same Windows version, repairs system files and components, and preserves apps, files, and settings ^4^.

The option requires Windows 11 with the 2022 annual update or later plus the February 2024 optional update or later, and it may be unavailable on work/school-managed PCs. If it is missing, use Settings → System → Recovery to review the remaining recovery options, back up important files first, and leave Reset this PC until last because it is more disruptive ^5^.

References

1. Mouse and keyboard problems in Windows | Microsoft Support
2. Using System File Checker in Windows | Microsoft Support
3. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/startup-boot/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows)
4. Fix issues by reinstalling the current version of Windows | Microsoft Support
5. Recovery options in Windows