This tutorial will show you how to choose which hand you write with to change menu drop alignment for your account in Windows 11.
If you have a touch screen or use a pen on a tablet device, then you can change how menus open based on being left or right handed so menus are not obstructed by your hand.
If you choose the right hand you write with, then menus open to the left of your hand (pointer).
If you choose the left hand you write with, then menus open to the right of your hand (pointer).
If you open a menu near the display border and the menu doesn't have enough space, it will automatically open aligned to the other side by default.
Reference:
Use a pen with Windows - Microsoft Support
Learn how to use a tablet pen with Windows for drawing, note-taking, and navigation. Discover pairing, settings, and productivity tips for an enhanced digital experience.
support.microsoft.com
Contents
- Option One: Choose left or right hand you write with for menu alignment in Settings
- Option Two: Choose left or right hand you write with for menu alignment using REG file
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on Bluetooth & devices on the left side, and click/tap on Pen & Windows Ink on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Select Left or Right in the Choose which hand you write with drop menu for what you want. (see screenshot below)
4 You can now close Settings if you like.
1 Do step 2 (left) or step 3 (right) below for what you want.
2 Choose left hand you write with
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Open_menus_aligned_to_right_for_left-hand.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows]
"MenuDropAlignment"="0"3 Choose right hand you write with
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Open_menus_aligned_to_left_for_right_hand.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows]
"MenuDropAlignment"="1"4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 If you have Smart App Control turned on, you will need to unblock the downloaded REG file.
6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8 Either sign out and sign in or restart the computer to apply.
9 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
