Windows 11 came with a fresh, modern look and several new features, but not all of them are everyone’s favorite. One of those is the Recommended section in the Start Menu. This feature shows your recently opened files, apps, and suggested items. While it can be handy for quick access, many users feel it clutters the Start Menu and invades their privacy.
If you’re tired of seeing the Recommended section every time you open the Start Menu, don’t worry—you can turn it off or at least minimize its appearance. In this guide, I’ll walk you through step-by-step methods to disable or hide Recommended items in Windows 11, along with some tips to customize your Start Menu for a cleaner, more personal experience.
What is the Recommended Section in Windows 11?
The Recommended section sits at the bottom of the Start Menu in Windows 11. It displays:
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Recently opened files
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Newly installed apps
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Suggested or recommended apps from Microsoft
It’s meant to save time, but many users see it as unnecessary or even intrusive—especially if you don’t want your recent activity displayed.
Why Disable Recommended in Windows 11?
Here are a few reasons why you might want to turn it off:
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️ Privacy – Prevents others from seeing your recent activity.
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Clutter-free Start Menu – A cleaner look without unnecessary suggestions.
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⚡ Customization – More control over what you see when you hit the Start button.
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Avoid Microsoft promotions – Stops Windows from suggesting apps you don’t need.
Step-by-Step Methods to Turn Off Recommended in Windows 11
There isn’t a single “one-click” switch to remove Recommended entirely, but with a few adjustments, you can either disable it or reduce its visibility. Let’s explore all the methods.
1. Turn Off Recent Files and Apps in Settings
This is the simplest way to stop Windows 11 from showing your activity.
Steps:
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Press Win + I to open Settings.
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Navigate to Personalization > Start.
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Turn off these options:
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Show recently added apps
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Show most used apps
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Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer
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This removes most of the clutter from the Recommended section.
2. Clear Recommended Items from Start Menu
Already have items showing up in Recommended? You can clear them manually.
Steps:
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Open the Start Menu.
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Right-click the unwanted item.
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Select Remove from list.
This doesn’t disable Recommended but helps clean it up quickly.
3. Disable Suggested Apps via Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise Users)
If you’re using Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can use Group Policy Editor.
Steps:
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Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
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Go to:
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Look for Turn off Microsoft consumer experiences.
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Double-click and set it to Enabled.
This reduces Microsoft’s suggested apps from appearing.
4. Use Registry Editor to Disable Recommendations (Advanced)
If you’re on Windows 11 Home (without Group Policy), Registry Editor works too.
Steps:
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Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
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Navigate to:
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Right-click and create a DWORD (32-bit) Value.
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Name it Start_TrackProgs.
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Set the value to 0.
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Restart your PC.
This will stop tracking and showing recently opened programs.
5. Hide Recommended by Expanding Pinned Apps
Since Windows 11 doesn’t allow you to completely remove the Recommended section, one workaround is to expand the Pinned apps area.
Steps:
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Open Settings > Personalization > Start.
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Under Layout, choose More pins.
This reduces the Recommended area, pushing it further down and out of sight.
Additional Tips to Customize Start Menu Without Recommended
If you want to go beyond just hiding the Recommended section, here are some extra tips.
1. Pin Favorite Apps for Quick Access
Instead of relying on Recommended, pin your favorite apps:
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Open Start Menu → Right-click an app → Select Pin to Start.
2. Organize Apps into Folders
Windows 11 lets you create app folders in the Start Menu. Just drag one app over another to create a folder. This keeps things tidy.
3. Use Third-Party Tools
Apps like Start11 or Open-Shell let you customize the Start Menu completely, even removing Recommended entirely.
4. Disable Suggestions in Notifications
Sometimes Microsoft pushes app suggestions through notifications too. To stop that:
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Go to Settings > System > Notifications.
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Turn off Offer suggestions on how I can set up my device.
Troubleshooting: What If Recommended Still Shows?
If you’ve turned everything off but Recommended keeps popping up, try these fixes:
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Restart your PC – Some changes need a reboot.
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️ Run Windows Update – Bug fixes may resolve issues.
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Check Registry/Group Policy – Ensure changes were applied correctly.
Pros and Cons of Turning Off Recommended
✅ Pros
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Cleaner Start Menu
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Better privacy
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Less distraction
❌ Cons
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No quick access to recent files
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Some users may miss Microsoft’s helpful suggestions
Conclusion
The Recommended section in Windows 11 can be useful, but for many users, it just feels like unnecessary clutter. Luckily, with a few simple tweaks in Settings, Group Policy, or Registry Editor, you can disable or minimize it. You can also use layout adjustments and pinned apps to create a Start Menu that works best for you.
So, if you’ve been annoyed by the Recommended section, now you know exactly how to take control and enjoy a cleaner, more personalized Start Menu.
FAQs
1. Can I completely remove the Recommended section in Windows 11?
Not entirely, but you can disable most of its features and reduce its size with settings adjustments.
2. Does disabling Recommended affect system performance?
No. Turning it off only changes what you see in the Start Menu—it doesn’t impact performance.
3. Can I bring Recommended back after turning it off?
Yes, just re-enable the options in Settings > Personalization > Start.
4. Is there a way to make the Start Menu look like Windows 10 without Recommended?
Yes, with third-party tools like Start11 or Open-Shell, you can completely redesign your Start Menu.
5. Will Microsoft eventually allow full removal of Recommended?
As of now, no official option exists, but future Windows 11 updates may bring more customization features.