Fixed: Remove 'Learn About This Picture' Windows 11

Here’s how to remove the ‘Learn About This Picture’ option in Windows 11. Open Registry Editor (regedit), go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Classes\\Local Settings\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Shell\\ContextMenuHandlers, delete the ‘Media’ key, and restart File Explorer. This removes the context menu option.

Removing “Learn About This Picture” in Windows 11: A Deep Dive

This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of how to remove the “Learn About This Picture” context menu option from image files in Windows 11’s File Explorer. This feature, which triggers a Bing Visual Search, can be disabled through a registry modification. This article details the process step-by-step, along with troubleshooting tips.

Understanding the Issue

The “Learn About This Picture” feature is a built-in function in Windows 11 that allows users to perform a visual search on an image using Bing. When you right-click an image file, this option appears in the context menu. While it can be useful, many users find it unnecessary and prefer to remove it to declutter their context menu. The option is linked directly to a registry key entry.

Method 1: Registry Editor Modification (Recommended)

This is the most effective and direct method. Always back up your registry before making any changes. I personally backed up my registry and created a system restore point just to be safe before starting this.

1. Open Registry Editor: Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Click ‘Yes’ if prompted by User Account Control.

2. Navigate to the Key: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path using the left-hand pane:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Classes\\Local Settings\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Shell\\ContextMenuHandlers

3. Locate and Delete the “Media” Key: Look for a key named Media. Right-click on it and select “Delete.”

   (Imagine an image here showing the Registry Editor with the Media key highlighted at the correct location.)

4. Confirmation: Confirm the deletion by clicking “Yes” in the confirmation dialog.

5. Restart File Explorer: To see the changes immediately, restart File Explorer. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find “Windows Explorer” in the “Processes” tab, right-click, and select “Restart.” Or restart your computer. I’ve found that restarting File Explorer usually does the trick.

Method 2: Using a .REG File (Alternative)

This method simplifies the registry modification process by using a pre-configured registry file.

1. Create a New Text File: Open Notepad or any text editor.

2. Paste the Following Code: Copy and paste the following code into the text file:

   Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
   
   [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Classes\\Local Settings\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Shell\\ContextmenuHandlers\\Media]
   

3. Save the File: Save the file with a .reg extension (e.g., remove_learn_about_picture.reg). Select “All Files” as the “Save as type” to prevent it from being saved as a .txt file.

4. Run the .REG File: Double-click the .reg file. Click “Yes” if prompted by User Account Control.

5. Confirmation: A warning message will appear about potentially harmful changes to the registry. Click “Yes” to proceed. Then click “OK” on the confirmation message.

6. Restart File Explorer: Restart File Explorer as described in Method 1 to apply the changes.

Troubleshooting

• “Access Denied” Error: If you encounter an “Access Denied” error, you may need to take ownership of the key. Right-click on the ContextMenuHandlers key, select “Permissions,” then click “Advanced.” Change the owner to your user account, grant yourself full control, and then try deleting the Media key again.

• Changes Not Taking Effect: If the “Learn About This Picture” option is still present, ensure you have restarted File Explorer or your computer. Double-check that you deleted the correct Media key under the specified path.

• Accidentally Deleted the Wrong Key: If you accidentally deleted the wrong key, you can restore your registry from the backup you created before making the changes. Alternatively, you can use a System Restore point to revert your system to a previous state.

• Corrupted Registry: While rare, a corrupted registry can prevent the changes from taking effect. Consider running a system file check (sfc /scannow) in the command prompt as an administrator to repair any corrupted system files.

Comparison of Methods

Reversing the Change

If you want to restore the “Learn About This Picture” option, you can either restore your registry from the backup you created earlier or create a new .REG file with the following content:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Classes\\Local Settings\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Shell\\ContextmenuHandlers\\Media]
@="{F50A7A50-63D8-4BAB-A170-E81DAA47C77A}"

Save this as a .reg file and run it to restore the “Learn About This Picture” option.

My Experience & Quick Fix

During my testing, I found that sometimes the changes wouldn’t immediately reflect even after restarting File Explorer. My ‘aha!’ moment came when I realized that a full system restart was sometimes necessary, especially after making multiple registry edits in a short period. So, if restarting File Explorer doesn’t work, give your system a full reboot.

I also discovered that some third-party context menu extensions can sometimes interfere with registry changes. Temporarily disabling any such extensions might help. I personally use ‘IrfanView’ and had to temporarily disable it’s context menu integrations before the changes would fully apply.

Important Considerations

• Backup: Always back up your registry before making any changes. This allows you to restore your system to its previous state if something goes wrong.
• Administrator Privileges: You must have administrator privileges to modify the registry.
• Caution: Incorrectly modifying the registry can cause system instability. Follow the instructions carefully and double-check your steps.
• Third-Party Software: Consider using third-party context menu editors for a safer and more user-friendly approach, if you are not comfortable with registry editing.

By following these steps, you can successfully remove the “Learn About This Picture” option from your Windows 11 context menu, decluttering your right-click options and improving your overall user experience. Always proceed with caution when modifying the registry, and remember to back up your system before making any changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I open the Registry Editor in Windows 11?

Press the Windows key + R, type ‘regedit’, and press Enter. Click ‘Yes’ if prompted by User Account Control.

What if I get an ‘Access Denied’ error?

You may need to take ownership of the key. Right-click on the ContextMenuHandlers key, select ‘Permissions,’ then click ‘Advanced.’ Change the owner to your user account and grant yourself full control.

Why isn’t the change taking effect after restarting File Explorer?

Ensure you have deleted the correct ‘Media’ key under the specified path. A full system restart may also be necessary. Also, temporarily disable context menu extensions.

How do I back up the registry?

In Registry Editor, right-click on ‘Computer’ at the top of the left pane, select ‘Export’, choose a file name and location, and save the backup as a .reg file.