How to Remove Duplicate ‘Share’ Options from Windows 11 Context Menu?

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Windows 11 has introduced several new features and improvements to enhance user experience. However, as with any operating system, there might be some quirks or redundant features that bother users. One such issue is the presence of duplicate ‘Share‘ options in the context menu of Windows 11’s File Explorer. This can be annoying and clutter the menu when you’re trying to quickly share files. In this gearupwindows guide, we’ll walk you through the process of removing those duplicate ‘Share‘ options.

Just right-click on a file in the File Explorer and you can either click the Share icon at the top/bottom of the context menu or select the “Share” option.

And, if you select “Show more options” from the context menu, the “Share” option will appear once again.

Before You Begin

Before making any changes to your Windows Registry, it’s crucial to back up your system. Incorrectly modifying the Registry can lead to system instability or even prevent your computer from starting. To avoid any mishaps, follow these steps:-

Step 1. Create a System Restore Point: Press `Windows + S`, type “Create a restore point,” and select the result. In the System Properties window, click on the “Create” button in the System Restore section and follow the prompts to create a restore point.
Step 2. Back Up the Registry: Press `Windows + R`, type “regedit,” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Click on “File” in the top left corner and choose “Export.” Select a location to save the backup, give it a name, and ensure “All” is selected in the “Export range” section. Click “Save” to create a backup of your Registry.

How to Remove Duplicate ‘Share’ Options from Windows 11 Context Menu?

Now that you have created a system restore point and a Registry backup, you can proceed with removing the duplicate ‘Share’ options:-

Step 1. Open the Registry Editor.

To do that, press `Windows + R`, type “regedit,” and press Enter.

Step 2. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:-

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\ModernSharing

Step 3. In the right pane, you will see a value named “(Default).” Double-click on “(Default)” to edit its value.

Step 4. In the “Value data” field, add a character or characters of your choice to the beginning of the existing value data. For instance, you can add an underscore (_) or any other character.

Step 5. Click “OK” to save the changes.

Step 6. Close the Registry Editor.

Once you complete the above steps, the next time you right-click any file in File Explorer, the “Share” item will appear only once in the context menu. The Share button will no longer be visible.

Reverting Changes

Should you ever want to revert the changes and restore the ‘Share’ options, you can simply return to the same Registry key (HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\ModernSharing) and remove the characters you appended earlier.

Conclusion

Removing duplicate ‘Share’ options from the Windows 11 context menu is a straightforward process when following the right steps and taking the necessary precautions. By editing the Windows Registry, you can declutter your context menu and make file sharing a more streamlined experience. Just remember to create a system restore point and back up the Registry before making any changes to your system. With these measures in place, you can enjoy a more efficient Windows 11 context menu.

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