Unwanted “boxes” around app menu items

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I have Windows 11 Home on a Dell Inspiron desktop. Two days ago I noticed that some (but not all) of my desktop apps now have boxes around each option in the dropdown under a menu item (see Boxed_menu_items.jpg attachment) instead of the normal unboxed look (see Normal_menu_items.jpg attachment). Upon checking my system settings, I found that the 22H2 “upgrade” had been installed three days ago without my realizing it. I’m assuming that this new and definitely unwanted menu look is a “feature” of 22H2. I couldn’t find anything about it online. Is there a way to get back to the normal menu appearance (no boxes) without having to roll back 22H2 entirely (which I’d rather not have to do if possible)? Thanks.

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Windows 10 Pro 22H2 with all updates (including KB…057, KB….170)

No boxed menu.

Do you use registry hacks, 3rd party “fixing” apps..?

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Thanks for your suggestion. I use StartAllBack and WinSize. I temporarily disabled both of them, but the boxes remained. I haven’t done any registry hacks.

Your post says you have Windows 10 22H2. Was that just a typo? I have Windows 11 22H2.

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I have Win 11 22H2 and don’t see those boxes. I’ve even checked using Notepad++ like your first attachment. I would have thought that there would have been more complaints if it was general.

Eliminate spare time: start programming PowerShell

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I agree that it doesn’t appear to be a general side effect, since I couldn’t find any other complaints about the boxes. Nonetheless, the only recent change in my system was the (involuntary) installation of 22H2 the day before I first noticed the boxes. If it’s not 22H2 doing this, does anyone have any other ideas about what might be causing it and how to get rid of it?

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You can uninstall the update and see if it resolves the problem.

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Which programs are affected other than Notepad++?

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Programs with boxes: Notepad++, Multi Commander (x64), IrfanView (64-bit), PDF Shaper Free, Audacity, Core Temp, USBDeview, Solitaire (the old original Windows version)

Programs without boxes: Thunderbird, Firefox, LibreOffice, Paint.net, PDF-XChange Editor, VLC Media Player, KeePass 2, Nexusfont, DesktopOK, MiniTool Partition Wizard, Macrium Reflect, Autoruns

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