How to restore missing NEW context menu item in Windows File Explorer

Is your NEW context menu missing in Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7 or Windows Vista? When you right-click in Windows File Explorer, you will see an entry “New” that lets you create new folders, shortcuts, files, documents, etc.

NEW context menu missing

If the create NEW documents item is missing from Windows File Explorer context menu, you can recreate it, by following instructions. This usually occurs due to a registry key going missing or getting corrupted. It therefore involves changing a registry value.

Type regedit in Run box and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.




Verify that the registry key listed below

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\New\ (Default)

has the value listed as follows:

{D969A300-E7FF-11d0-A93B-00A0C90F2719}

If it does not exists or if it shows a different value, recreate it to match this value.

Restart Explorer and you will be all set to go!

Alternatively, if you wish, you may also download this registry fix. Extract the contents of the zip file and click on Recreate-NEW.reg file to add its contents to your Windows Registry.

This registry entry only exists if the Windows Desktop Update component is installed. If the Windows Desktop Update component is not installed, add the registry entry and (Default) value.

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