If you’ve recently opened the Start Menu on Windows 11, you’ve probably noticed a section labeled “Recommended” at the bottom. This area displays recently opened files, newly installed apps, and suggested items from Microsoft.
While some users find it useful, many prefer a cleaner Start Menu without unnecessary clutter or privacy concerns. The good news? You can easily remove or hide the Recommended section in Windows 11 using a few simple methods.
In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to remove or customize the “Recommended” area from your Start Menu on Windows 11.
1. Hide Recommended Files and Apps in Settings
Windows 11 allows you to disable file and app recommendations directly through Settings. This is the easiest and most effective method to clean up your Start Menu.
Here’s how:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Personalization → Start.
- Turn off the following options:
- Show recently added apps
- Show most used apps
- Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer
After toggling these off, the Recommended section will appear blank or nearly empty.
Tip: This method doesn’t completely remove the Recommended title, but it hides all items beneath it.
2. Expand “Pinned” Section to Push Recommended Down
If you want to minimize how visible the Recommended section looks without hiding it completely, you can make your Pinned apps take up more space.
- Right-click an empty area on the desktop and select Personalize.
- Go to Start → Layout.
- Choose the More pins layout option.
This expands your pinned apps grid, pushing the Recommended section further down — making it less noticeable when you open the Start Menu.
3. Use the Group Policy Editor (For Pro and Enterprise Users)
If you’re using Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can completely disable recommendations using the Group Policy Editor.
- Press Windows + R, type
gpedit.msc, and press Enter. - Navigate to the following path:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar - On the right, double-click Remove “Recommended” section from Start Menu (if available in your build).
- Choose Enabled, then click Apply → OK.
Restart your computer, and the Recommended section should be hidden or removed entirely.
Note: Some older Windows 11 builds may not include this policy option. If it’s missing, use the Registry Editor method instead.
4. Remove Recommended Section via Registry Editor
If you’re running Windows 11 Home, or Group Policy isn’t available, you can edit the Windows Registry to disable the Recommended section.
Warning: Be careful when editing the Registry. Making incorrect changes can cause system instability.
- Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and press Enter. - Navigate to this location:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer - If the Explorer key doesn’t exist, right-click Windows, choose New → Key, and name it Explorer.
- Inside the Explorer key, right-click on the right panel and select New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name it:
HideRecommendedSection - Double-click it and set Value data to 1.
- Click OK, close Registry Editor, and restart your PC.
Once restarted, the Recommended section will no longer appear in your Start Menu.
5. Clear Recommended Items (Without Disabling the Feature)
If you just want to clear specific recommendations without turning off the feature entirely, you can remove individual items directly from the Start Menu.
- Open the Start Menu.
- Right-click any file or app listed under Recommended.
- Choose Remove from list.
Repeat this process for all unwanted items. Windows will gradually adapt and show fewer recommended files over time.
6. Use a Third-Party Start Menu Customization Tool
If you want full control over how your Start Menu looks, third-party tools can help remove or replace the Recommended section entirely.
Popular options include:
- StartAllBack – Brings back the Windows 10-style Start Menu with full customization.
- Start11 by Stardock – Lets you redesign the Start Menu, disable recommendations, and even center or move the taskbar.
Once installed, these apps allow you to toggle off recommendations, rearrange layouts, or revert to older-style Start Menus with no clutter.
7. Update to the Latest Windows 11 Build
Starting with Windows 11 version 23H2, Microsoft introduced more flexibility in customizing the Start Menu layout. If your system hasn’t received this update, the customization options may not appear.
To update:
- Press Windows + I → Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
- Install all available updates and restart your PC.
Once updated, revisit Settings → Personalization → Start, and you should see more control over recommended content.
Wrapping Up
The Recommended section in Windows 11’s Start Menu aims to help users quickly access recent files and apps — but for many, it’s just unnecessary clutter. Fortunately, with the right settings tweaks, you can remove or minimize the Recommended area for a cleaner, distraction-free Start Menu.
Whether you prefer to simply hide items, use Group Policy or Registry tweaks, or customize your interface with a third-party Start Menu tool — Windows 11 gives you plenty of ways to tailor your experience exactly how you like it.
Once removed, your Start Menu will look cleaner, more organized, and focused on what truly matters: your most-used apps.
