How To Customize WinX Menu In Windows 10

The WinX menu — the one you get by right-clicking the Start button or pressing Windows + X — is a hidden gem in Windows 10. It gives you quick access to system tools like Task Manager, Device Manager, and more. But here’s the catch: it’s not obvious how to customize it.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to make the WinX menu your own by adding, removing, or organizing shortcuts.

What You Need To Know First

Before diving in, a few things:

• You can’t edit the WinX menu like a normal Start Menu folder.
• Microsoft locked it down to only accept shortcuts signed by Microsoft… but there’s a workaround.

Let’s get into it.

Step 1: Get Win+X Menu Editor (Free Tool)

Since Windows doesn’t offer a built-in editor for the WinX menu, the easiest way is to use a trusted third-party utility: Win+X Menu Editor by Winaero.

How to Get It:

1. Go to https://winaero.com/download-win-x-menu-editor/
2. Download and unzip the file.
3. Run the tool (WinXEditor.exe) — no installation needed.

Step 2: Understand The WinX Menu Structure

The WinX menu is divided into three groups:

• Group 1: Top-level items like “Shut down or sign out”
• Group 2: Admin tools like Task Manager, Device Manager
• Group 3: Everyday utilities like File Explorer and Settings

These groups are represented in the editor. You can:

• Add a program or shortcut
• Remove items you never use
• Reorder entries for faster access

Step 3: Add or Remove Shortcuts

To Add:

1. Click “Add a program” or “Add a Control Panel item”
2. Choose what you want to include (e.g., Notepad, Chrome, Disk Cleanup)
3. Pick the group where you want it to appear

To Remove:

1. Select the shortcut from the list
2. Click “Remove”

Changes take effect immediately after restarting Windows Explorer (there’s a button in the editor for that).

Step 4: Save and Test

Once you’re happy with your edits:

• Click “Restart Explorer” from within the tool
• Hit Windows + X and admire your personalized quick-access menu

You now have a tailored shortcut menu that actually fits how you use your PC.

Bonus Tip: Manual Editing (Advanced Users)

If you want full control, you can manually edit the folder at:

C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX

But be warned: adding unsigned shortcuts will break the menu. That’s why the editor tool is safer — it handles the signing workaround.

Final Thoughts

Customizing the WinX menu is one of those small tweaks that saves time and streamlines your workflow. It’s not flashy, but once you’ve got your essentials at your fingertips, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

If you found this guide helpful, drop a comment or share it with someone who could use a faster Windows experience.