How to Remove Start Menu Recommendations in Windows 11

Microsoft is constantly on the lookout for new Windows features to improve the user experience. However, privacy concerns surrounding some of the new features have resulted in people wanting to remove or alter the new Start Menu layout.

In this tutorial, we’ll explain how you can remove the Recommended section of the Start Menu from Windows 11.

What’s the Problem?

With the upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, the Start Menu changed significantly. This included the addition of a Recommended Items section. The problem is, anyone who uses your PC will be able to see your recently used items as pinned apps in the context menu.

Luckily, Microsoft makes it pretty easy for users to customize their Windows 11 computers.

How to Remove Recommended Section From Windows 11 Start Menu

To remove the Recommended section:

1. Right-click the Taskbar and select Settings. Alternatively, use the Windows + I keyboard shortcut to open Settings. The Windows key is also known as the Start button and is found in the bottom left corner of your keyboard.
2. In the Windows Settings app, select Personalization from the left sidebar.

3. Choose Start to access the Start settings.

4. Toggle off any pinned items that you don’t want to be displayed. For total privacy, it’s best to toggle off “Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer”, “Show most used apps”, and “Show recently added apps”.

Now, recently opened files will no longer appear as quick access options when you open the Start Menu. Instead, you’ll have to navigate to these items as usual.

Customize Windows to Protect Your Privacy

If you’re an avid Windows user, you’re probably well acquainted with the changes that came with Windows 11 and how they can affect your privacy. Hopefully, this article helped you fix one of the most controversial new features in Windows 11.