How to Add or Remove Default “New” Context Menu Items The “New” context menu in Windows 10 helps you create new files— like text documents or folders— right from File Explorer. In this video, we'll explain how to customize it for greater efficiency and productivity. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to NinjaOne's IT Video Hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this. What Is the “New” Context Menu? When you right-click in File Explorer and hover over New, the menu you see is dynamically generated by Windows. It lists file types based on registered extensions found in the Windows Registry, specifically under the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT hive. These entries can be edited, giving IT teams full control to customize what appears. Why Customize the “New” Context Menu? Customizing the “New” context menu can be a game-changer for managed environments for the following reasons: to reduce clutter by removing unused file types, to boost productivity by adding entries for frequently used file types; to standardize environments, ensuring consistency across desktops; and to enhance security, when risky entries like scripts or executable files are removed. How to Remove Items from the Default “New” Context Menu Either adding or removing “New” context menu items involves modifying the Registry Editor, which can cause system instability if done incorrectly. So always back up your Windows Registry before making any changes to it. To remove items from this menu, first open the Registry Editor by pressing Win + R, typing regedit, and hitting Enter. Navigate to this path— HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.file_extension and replace .file_extension with the actual file type you want to remove, like .bmp or .zip Locate the ShellNew subkey, right-click it, and select Delete. Then restart File Explorer. How to Add Items to the Default “New” Context Menu Adding items to the “New” context menu is a different process entirely— but just as doable. Start by opening the Registry Editor and heading to the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT hive. Create a new key named with the file extension, like .log. Inside it, create another key: ShellNew. In ShellNew, add one of the following values: NullFile creates a blank file, FileName uses a prebuilt template file, and Command runs a custom script. Then restart File Explorer to see it in action. Overall, the “New” context menu may be small, but for IT professionals and MSPs, customizing it unlocks real efficiency and control. For more information, check out our official blog post on customizing the default “New” context menu, linked in the description below. Be sure to subscribe to NinjaOne's IT Video Hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this.