Windows 11 introduced a fresh design with a centered taskbar, rounded corners, and a modern Start menu. But one thing that many users find annoying is the “Recommended” section in the Start menu. This area displays recently opened files, apps, and suggested content, which some people see as clutter or even a privacy concern.
The good news? You can turn off or customize the Recommended section to keep your Start menu clean and distraction-free. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to turn off Recommended in Windows 11 step by step.
Why Remove Recommended from Start Menu?
1. More Space for Pinned Apps
The Recommended section takes up space that could otherwise show more of your favorite apps.
2. Privacy Concerns
It displays recently opened files and apps—something you may not want others to see.
3. Cleaner Look
A simplified Start menu looks more organized and distraction-free.
Can You Fully Remove Recommended in Windows 11?
Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn’t provide a one-click option to completely remove the Recommended section. However, you can hide content, disable recent items, and minimize it, which is almost the same as turning it off.
Method 1: Turn Off Recommended via Settings
This is the easiest method to hide recent files and app suggestions.
Step 1: Open Settings
-
Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
Step 2: Go to Personalization
-
From the left menu, click Personalization > Start.
Step 3: Disable Recommended Options
You’ll see three toggles:
-
Show recently added apps
-
Show most used apps
-
Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer
👉 Turn all three OFF.
Now your Recommended section will no longer show apps or files.
Method 2: Clear Recommended History
If you don’t want old files showing up:
Step 1: Open Settings
-
Press Windows + I.
Step 2: Go to Privacy & Security
-
Navigate to Privacy & security > Activity history.
Step 3: Clear Activity History
-
Scroll down and click Clear history.
This removes previously recommended items.
Method 3: Resize the Start Menu (Minimize Recommended Area)
Even after turning items off, the Recommended box still appears. You can minimize it:
Step 1: Open Settings
-
Go to Personalization > Start > Layout.
Step 2: Choose “More pins” Layout
-
Select More pins instead of Default.
This pushes the Recommended section down and shows more app icons instead.
Method 4: Remove Recommended Files Individually
If only certain files bother you:
Step 1: Open Start Menu
-
Right-click the file under Recommended.
Step 2: Select “Remove from list”
-
The file will disappear from Recommended.
Repeat for other files you don’t want shown.
Method 5: Advanced – Use Registry Editor to Disable Recommended
⚠️ Warning: This is for advanced users. Always back up your registry before making changes.
Step 1: Open Registry Editor
-
Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and press Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to Explorer Policies
Go to:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Step 3: Create a New DWORD
-
Right-click in the right pane → New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
-
Name it:
HideRecommendedSection. -
Set its value to 1.
Step 4: Restart PC
-
Restart to apply changes.
Pros and Cons of Disabling Recommended
✅ Pros
-
Cleaner Start menu
-
Better privacy
-
More space for pinned apps
❌ Cons
-
Can’t fully remove the section (only hide/disable content)
-
Some users may miss quick access to recent files
Troubleshooting: Recommended Still Showing
-
Double-check Settings > Personalization > Start.
-
Update Windows 11 (sometimes old builds ignore settings).
-
If nothing works, try the Registry Editor method.
Final Thoughts
While Microsoft doesn’t allow you to completely delete the Recommended section in Windows 11, you can turn off its content, clear history, resize the Start menu, and even tweak the registry to make it nearly invisible.
By following these steps, you’ll have a cleaner, faster, and more private Start menu experience.
FAQs
Q1. Can I remove the Recommended section completely?
Not officially. You can disable and hide items, but the box still remains.
Q2. How do I stop apps from appearing in Recommended?
Go to Settings > Personalization > Start and toggle off “Show recently added apps.”
Q3. Does clearing activity history remove Recommended items?
Yes, it deletes old files from showing in Recommended.
Q4. What’s the best layout for fewer Recommended items?
Choose More pins layout to minimize the Recommended section.
Q5. Is it safe to use Registry Editor for this?
Yes, but only if you follow the steps carefully and back up your registry first.