Microsoft has started rolling out preview updates for Windows 11 that address long-standing complaints about the operating system’s redesigned right-click menus. The update adds controls for customizing those menus and introduces Cloud Rebuild, a recovery option that can reinstall Windows from the cloud even when the existing installation will not start. The release comes as Microsoft’s quarterly financial report showed continued decline in its Windows licensing business for new PCs.
More control over right-click menus
The preview update, KB5127936, is a cumulative update for Windows 11 versions 26H2 and 25H2. It is being rolled out in stages and is expected to transition to a regular rollout for all Windows 11 devices when it becomes generally available.
One of the update’s main changes is a new Customize Menu button. It lets users choose which commands appear when they right-click, including built-in commands such as Send to and Create shortcut. Users can turn commands on or off, rearrange items on the main menu, and decide which third-party extensions appear on the main menu or in submenus.
Microsoft’s redesigned Windows 11 context menu has been criticized for disrupting users’ established habits. Familiar commands were moved behind icons in the top row or placed under the Show more options submenu. The new controls are intended to let users configure the menu around the way they work.
Cloud-based Windows recovery
The preview also introduces Cloud Rebuild, a recovery option that can reinstall Windows 11 directly from the cloud, including when the current installation fails to start. The feature downloads Windows 11 images and the required system drivers through Windows Update, eliminating the need for a custom recovery image or external installation media.
Despite being described as a recovery feature, Cloud Rebuild does not preserve existing applications or files. It therefore functions more like a new Windows installation than a repair process. Users who are concerned about data security can also choose to sanitize the entire system drive before reinstalling Windows.
The update includes other Windows 11 changes, including adjustments to Xbox modes and settings. Microsoft’s full list of improvements is available in the official release announcement.
Source: arstechnica.com
