Windows Update Add Windows Update Context Menu in Windows 11


Windows_Update_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove Windows Update to the desktop context menu for all users in Windows 11.

In Windows 11, you decide when and how to get the latest updates to keep your device running smoothly and securely. When you update, you'll get the latest fixes and security improvements, helping your device run efficiently and stay protected. In most cases, restarting your device completes the update. Make sure your device is plugged in when you know updates will be installed.

References:

Get the latest Windows update - Microsoft Support

When the latest Windows update is ready for your device, it will be available to download from the Windows Update page in Settings.
products.support.services.microsoft.com products.support.services.microsoft.com

Windows Update: FAQ - Microsoft Support

Learn how to get the latest Windows updates. Find answers to FAQ about updating Windows to keep your PC up to date.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com

If you like, you can add a Windows Update context menu to make accessing the Windows Update pages in Settings fast and easy.


While you must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove this context menu, all users can use this context menu.


EXAMPLE: Windows Update context menu

You will need to click/tap on Show more options first by default, then click/tap on Windows Update.


Show_more_options.png
Windows_Update_context_menu.png



Here's How:

1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.

2 Add "Windows Update" to Desktop context menu

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Add_Windows_Update_to_desktop_context_menu.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate]
"Icon"="imageres.dll,-1401"
"MUIVerb"="Windows Update"
"Position"="Bottom"
"SubCommands"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\001flyout]
"MUIVerb"="Check for Updates"
"Icon"="imageres.dll,-1401"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\001flyout\command]
@="cmd /s /c USOClient StartInteractiveScan & start ms-settings:windowsupdate"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\002flyout]
"MUIVerb"="Windows Update"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\002flyout\command]
@="explorer ms-settings:windowsupdate"


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\003flyout]
"MUIVerb"="Schedule the restart"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\003flyout\command]
@="explorer ms-settings:windowsupdate-restartoptions"


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\004flyout]
"MUIVerb"="Update history"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\004flyout\command]
@="explorer ms-settings:windowsupdate-history"


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\005flyout]
"MUIVerb"="Advanced options"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\005flyout\command]
@="explorer ms-settings:windowsupdate-options"


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\006flyout]
"MUIVerb"="Optional updates"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\006flyout\command]
@="explorer ms-settings:windowsupdate-optionalupdates"


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\007flyout]
"MUIVerb"="Delivery Optimization"
"SubCommands"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\007flyout\shell\001flyout]
"MUIVerb"="Delivery Optimization"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\007flyout\shell\001flyout\command]
@="explorer ms-settings:delivery-optimization"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\007flyout\shell\002flyout]
"MUIVerb"="Advanced options"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\007flyout\shell\002flyout\command]
@="explorer ms-settings:delivery-optimization-advanced"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\007flyout\shell\003flyout]
"MUIVerb"="Activity monitor"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate\shell\007flyout\shell\003flyout\command]
@="explorer ms-settings:delivery-optimization-activity"

3 Remove "Windows Update" from Desktop context menu

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Remove_Windows_Update_from_desktop_context_menu.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\WindowsUpdate]

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink

Related Tutorials

 

Attachments

Last edited:
Click to expand...
Hey @Brink will this work if I disabled "show more options" per this tutorial?

www.elevenforum.com

Disable "Show more options" context menu in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable having to click on "Show more options" to see the full context menu for your account or all users in Windows 11. When you right click on an item in Windows 11, you will see a new modern condensed context menu with Show more options...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

Disregard. It Worked!

1660799669095.png
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro 24H2 26100.4351
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i7-14700F
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z690-PLUS WIFI BIOS v4301
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 Series 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12GB OC
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster AE-5 Plus
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS TUF Gaming 27" 2K HDR Gaming
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro 1TB NVMe (Win 11 24H2)
    SK hynix P41 500GB NVMe (24H2 VHDX)
    SK hynix P41 2TB NVMe (x3)
    Crucial P3 Plus 4TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x Shift
    Case
    Antec Dark Phantom DP502 FLUX
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black + 7 Phantek T-30's
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 320
    Mouse
    Razer Basilisk V3
    Internet Speed
    350Mbs
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Winows Security
    Other Info
    Windows 11 24H2 26100.4351 (VHDX)
    On System One (Dual Boot)
  • Operating System
    Win 11 Pro 24H2 26100.4351
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-11700F
    Motherboard
    Asus TUF Gaming Z590 Plus WiFi
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce RTX 2060
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster Audigy Fx V2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung F27T350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 1TB
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB
    Samsung 870 EVO 500GB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair HX750
    Case
    Cougar MX330-G Window
    Cooling
    Hyper 212 EVO
    Internet Speed
    350Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
Hi Brink,

Do you think that Windows 11 will "get back" the ability to pin "Settings functions" to Start, as it is in Windows 10?

Cheers
Steve
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro 24H2 Beta 26120.4441
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus MiniPC PN51-E1
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
    Motherboard
    Asus PN51-E1 - Bios Version 0505
    Memory
    Crucial 64GB DDR4 SDRAM PC4-25600
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon Vega Graphics 1.80 GHz - Adrenalin Edition 23.9.2
    Sound Card
    USB to Sound Blaster Live (24bit External) to Firestone DAC to Event Studio Monitors
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gigabyte 27" 165 hertz
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus 2TB PCIE NVME
    PSU
    65 Watt
    Case
    Asus Mini
    Cooling
    Air
    Keyboard
    Logitech K810
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 2S
    Internet Speed
    Telstra Modem Wifi - NBN 50/18
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    This replaced my Linux Notebook. I've used Windows since V2, tried various Linux distros but Windows continues to win for me.
kiwisteve said:
Hi Brink,

Do you think that Windows 11 will "get back" the ability to pin "Settings functions" to Start, as it is in Windows 10?

Cheers
Steve
Click to expand...

Hello Steve, :-)

Not sure, but you can manually create shortcuts for some Settings below to pin instead for now.

www.elevenforum.com

Create Shortcuts to Open Pages in Settings in Windows 11

This tutorial will provide you with a complete list of ms-settings URI commands to directly open or create shortcuts for any Settings page in Windows 11. Microsoft designed Settings to be beautiful, easy to use and inclusive of all your Microsoft experiences in Windows 11. Settings has...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Brink said:
Hello Steve, :-)

Not sure, but you can manually create shortcuts for some Settings below to pin instead for now.

www.elevenforum.com

Create Shortcuts to Open Pages in Settings in Windows 11

This tutorial will provide you with a complete list of ms-settings URI commands to directly open or create shortcuts for any Settings page in Windows 11. Microsoft designed Settings to be beautiful, easy to use and inclusive of all your Microsoft experiences in Windows 11. Settings has...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
Click to expand...
Thanks Brink,

I do hope that the "Pin" functionality is included in the near future.

Cheers
Steve
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro 24H2 Beta 26120.4441
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus MiniPC PN51-E1
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
    Motherboard
    Asus PN51-E1 - Bios Version 0505
    Memory
    Crucial 64GB DDR4 SDRAM PC4-25600
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon Vega Graphics 1.80 GHz - Adrenalin Edition 23.9.2
    Sound Card
    USB to Sound Blaster Live (24bit External) to Firestone DAC to Event Studio Monitors
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gigabyte 27" 165 hertz
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus 2TB PCIE NVME
    PSU
    65 Watt
    Case
    Asus Mini
    Cooling
    Air
    Keyboard
    Logitech K810
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 2S
    Internet Speed
    Telstra Modem Wifi - NBN 50/18
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    This replaced my Linux Notebook. I've used Windows since V2, tried various Linux distros but Windows continues to win for me.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar Windows 11 Tutorials

  • Article Article
Phone Add or Remove "Send to My Phone" Context Menu in Windows 11
Replies
0
Views
1K
Brink
Brink
  • Article Article
Personalization Add or Remove "Ask Copilot" Context Menu in Windows 11 and 10
Replies
0
Views
5K
Brink
Brink
  • Article Article
Privacy and Security Add Windows Security to Desktop Context Menu in Windows 11
Replies
6
Views
4K
Brink
Brink
  • Article Article
General Add "Find Empty Folders" context menu in Windows 11 and Windows 10
Replies
6
Views
6K
Brink
Brink
  • Article Article
General Add "Find and Delete Empty Folders" context menu in Windows 11 and Windows 10
Replies
0
Views
4K
Brink
Brink
  • Article Article
Devices Add Enable or Disable New "USB connections" Context Menu in Windows 11
Replies
0
Views
4K
Brink
Brink
  • Article Article
Apps Add or Remove "Edit with Paint" Context Menu in Windows 11
Replies
12
Views
5K
Brink
Brink

Latest Support Threads

Latest Tutorials

Back
Top Bottom
OSZAR »