[Tip] Disable “Recommended” Apps and Files in Windows 11 Start Menu

Many readers have asked me how to get rid of the “Recommended” section from Windows 11 Start Menu? The new redesigned Start Menu in Windows 11 contains a new section at the bottom called “Recommended”. This new section displays a list of recently opened files and recently installed apps and software programs as shown in following screenshot:

The new “Recommended” section might be useful for some users who want to open some documents and apps frequently on regular basis. But if we talk about privacy, many people might find it annoying as it displays recently accessed files and apps.

If you allow your friend, relative or colleague to use your Windows 11 device, he might see what apps and files you opened recently and you might not want this to happen.

Fortunately, Windows 11 comes with an option to hide or remove the list of recently opened items from Start Menu recommended section. By modifying this option, you can prevent/restrict Windows 11 from displaying apps and files from your device history and the Start Menu will show an empty or blank list under “Recommended” section as shown in following screenshot:

Unfortunately, a blank “Recommended” section still remains appearing on Start Menu but it no longer shows any files or apps used by you recently.

If you also want to disable or remove recently used files and apps history from Windows 11 Start Menu, following methods will help you:

A. Remove Selected Files and Apps from Recommended Section in Windows 11 Start Menu

If you want to remove a particular file or installed app from the list appearing under “Recommended” section in Windows 11 Start Menu, you can delete the file or app from the list using following steps:

1. Open Start Menu and right-click on the app or file which you want to disable or remove from “Recommended” section.

2. Now select “Remove from list” option from the context menu.

That’s it. Windows 11 will stop showing that file or app in Recommended section of Start Menu.

B. Remove Recent Apps and Files History from Recommended Section in Windows 11 Start Menu

If you want to block “Recommended” section in Start Menu from displaying any recently accessed file or app for privacy issues, you can follow below steps:

1. Open Settings app from Start Menu. Alternatively, you can press WIN+I keys together to open Settings directly.

2. Now click on “Personalization” section or tab present in left-sidebar.

3. In right-side pane, click on “Start” section.

4. On the next page, you’ll see following options:

• Show recently added apps
• Show most used apps
• Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer

If you want to only hide or remove recently added apps and programs list from “Recommended” section in Start Menu, set the “Show recently added apps” option to OFF.

If you want to hide or remove both recently added apps as well as recently opened files from “Recommended” section in Start Menu, set both “Show recently added apps” and “Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer” options to OFF.

It’ll immediately remove apps and files history from “Recommended” section in Windows 11 Start Menu.

In future, if you decide to restore apps and files history in Start Menu, set the above mentioned options to ON again.

Also Check:

[Tip] Restore Old Classic Start Menu in Windows 11

[Tip] Restore Windows 10 Classic Taskbar in Windows 11 along with Classic Start Menu

[Tip] Restore Old Classic Context Menu (Right-Click Menu) in Windows 11

[Tip] Disable Command Bar and Restore Ribbon Toolbar in Windows 11 Explorer