Microsoft not only decided to center the Start menu in Windows 11, but also updated its structure with a section of pinned apps and another for “Recommendations” at the bottom. The problem (at least for Redmond) is that many users do not want to receive recommendations from the operating system, and see that whole section as a nuisance. While there isn’t an option to remove it completely, what we can do is disable the “Recommendations” in the Windows 11 Start menu and get a cleaner experience, so to speak…
One of the most irritating aspects of Windows (and I’m not specifically talking about Windows 11) is when the operating system thinks it knows more than the user. In recent editions we’ve noticed an increase in the number of “suggestions”, “recommendations” and “tips” that, besides being annoying, aren’t that useful either. Some users just want the operating system to get out of the way.
In Windows 11, things haven’t changed much, and when studying the new Start menu we noticed that the “Recommendations” section often behaves like a history… a pretty bad one, I might add. Ideally we’d remove that section completely, but the operating system doesn’t allow it. The alternative? Disable the “Recommendations” in the Windows 11 Start menu and leave the section empty.
How to Disable Recommendations in the Windows 11 Start Menu
- Enter Windows 11 Settings
- Go to Personalization
- Click Start menu
- Disable all options that appear there: “Show recently added apps”, “Show most used apps”, and “Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer”
- Changes are immediate, no restart needed
The result should be a cleaner Start menu with pinned apps intact and the Recommendations section completely empty.
Future Alternatives
Windows 11 personalization options are more limited than they seem. Previously we shared a list of “hacks” that modify the behavior of the menu and taskbar, but Microsoft has already blocked some in recent builds (for example, the “Windows 10 menu mode” was removed). Personally, I think the answer will come through external programs. For now, OpenShell doesn’t work with Windows 11, but it’s only a matter of time.
