Designed with user convenience in mind, the Recommended section in Windows 11 displays recently used or opened files, apps, and folders. Unfortunately, the feature often raises privacy concerns because anyone who opens the Start menu can see the user's most recently used items. Furthermore, it takes up space that could be used for installed apps.
If you don't like the new recommended feature in Windows 11 and want to get rid of it, we're here to help. Read this guide to learn three ways to remove recommended items from the Start menu and get answers to frequently asked questions about this feature.
How to remove recommended apps in Windows 11
The easiest way to remove the Recommended section from the Start menu in Windows 11 is through Settings. Here's how:
- Use keyboard shortcut "Win + I" To open Settings. Instead, look for "Settings" in the list”START YOUR".
- Locate "Personalizationfrom the left sidebar.
- Click "START YOUR".
- Toggle the toggle next to "Show recently opened items in Start menus, Jump Lists, and File Explorer." You can also disable "Show most used apps" and "Show recently added apps."
Note: Disabling “Recently opened items” will also remove your favorite web pages from the taskbar.
How to remove recommended updates in Windows 11 Dev Build
If you're using a Windows 11 Dev Build released after December 1, 2021, you can shrink the Recommended partition to a single row by changing the format. This won't remove the Recommended partition entirely, but it will give you more space for your installed apps. Follow these instructions:
- Open the settings menu using the shortcut “Win + I”.
- Go to "Personalizationfrom the left sidebar.
- Locate "START YOUR".
- You will see three available desktop layouts. Select the “More pins”.
Open the Start menu and add more pins if you want. You'll notice that the Recommended section has been collapsed to a single row.
If you don't like the new format and want to revert to the default format, follow the steps below:
- Access Settings Using a keyboard shortcut “Win + I”.
- tap on "Customize"In the left sidebar, then on"START YOUR".
- Locate "hypotheticalUnder “Formatting.” Alternatively, you can select “More Recommendations” if you change your mind about the feature.
How to remove recommended apps in Windows 11 via the Start menu
Another way to remove recommended apps and files is to remove them individually directly from the Start menu. This method is best for users who don't want to remove the entire section but want to control which items appear in it. Follow these steps:
- Click the buttonSTART YOUR“. In the lower left corner to access the Start menu. Alternatively, press the “ key.Winon the keyboard.
- You'll see icons for pinned and recommended items. Right-click the recommended item you want to remove.
- Select “Remove from” Menufrom the dropdown menu.
Note: Although the removed item will no longer be visible in the Start menu, other items may replace it. If you have a lot of items, you can view them all by clicking More in the upper-right corner of the menu.
FAQs
Read this section to learn more about this recommended Windows 11 feature.
What exactly is a recommended feature in Windows 11, and what is its purpose?
Some Windows 11 users are confused about how items enter the Recommended section of the Start menu. The answer is straightforward—any app, file, or folder you open automatically enters the Recommended list immediately. Some files and apps may also enter the section because they are used more frequently than others. The purpose of this feature is to facilitate quick access to recent and popular items, improving the user experience. In an ideal world, this feature would be extremely convenient, but in practice, it often raises privacy concerns, especially among office workers.
Can you change the Start menu layout in the regular version of Windows 11?
If you're concerned about the Recommended section taking up too much space rather than privacy, you might want to consider changing the layout of your Start menu. Unfortunately, the option is currently only available in the Windows 11 Dev Build. Let's hope Microsoft developers add the setting to the regular Windows 11 build sometime soon. In the meantime, you can use third-party software to customize the layout of the Start menu in Windows 11, but be careful not to install malware.
Customize the Start menu
We hope our guide helps you get rid of the Recommended section in Windows 11 and make your Start menu layout more convenient and attractive. Unfortunately, neither method is perfect. Removing the Recommended section via Settings affects your favorite websites in the taskbar, removing items one by one is cumbersome, and changing the layout is only available in Dev Builds. The good news is that Microsoft is still fine-tuning Windows 11, so let's hope we gain more control over the Start menu in the future.
Why don't you like the recommended feature, and what would you change about it? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
