Shift+Right-click on taskbar app no longer opens extended context menu. Opens app instead like left-click.

Question

Some two to three weeks ago, something changed with Shift+Right-click against pinned apps on the taskbar.

Before, Shift+Right-click on a pinned app would bring up an expanded context menu, where I could perform such actions as "Run as different user". Note: the context menu was always in the classic UI style. Also note: Shift+Right-click on the app's name from its Right-click jump list menu would also open an expanded context menu, but in the Windows 11 style.

Now, Shift+Right-click on the taskbar icon simply opens the application as if I instead performed a Left-click. The only way to get the expanded context menu is to do it the alternative way above, which requires two steps.

I cannot find any documentation anywhere citing this change. I've always wondered why this expanded menu used the old classic UI style and now wonder if this is MS's way to get rid of it vs simply applying the new style.

Has anyone else noticed this? I'd like to know if this is intended or if this is just some sort of bug. Note, I am on 23H2 but I've heard someone else having it on 22H2, so I think it must be a Windows Update causing it.

Answer 1

Hey,

I ran into this very same issue, especially as I have a program that loves to open on a screen that's never connected.

Something I found on Reddit is it appears Microsoft have made a change that to be able to move a window with such behaviour now, you need to hover over the taskbar icon, when you get the preview window, right click on this and you can then select move there is now no need to fold shift before right clicking, this then will allow you to select move.

Reddit link for reference https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsHelp/comments/1dpo3o4/shift_right_click_not_working_on_running_tasks_in/

Answer 2

Found the fix! Do a normal right click on the app that's pinned to your taskbar. Then shift+Right Click the app name from that menu and you will get the old options to open as admin or another user.

Answer 3

Not sure what build you're on, but Shift+Right Click here opens this

Answer 4

Hello,

First, you can try restarting Windows Explorer to fix issues related to the taskbar. To do this, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find "Windows Explorer" in the list of processes, right-click it, and select "Restart".

If this problem started after a recent update, consider uninstalling the update to see if that fixes the problem. To do this, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates. Find the problematic update and click Uninstall.

I hope the information above is helpful.

Best Regards,

Yanhong Liu

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Answer 5

Found a work around, use alt + tab to get to the program, then use alt + space to get the correct menu, you click move to get the app over to the correct screen