Windows 11 introduces a personalized experience that includes the Recommended section, which displays suggested apps, files, and activities based on your usage. Sometimes, users prefer to turn off this feature for a cleaner interface or privacy reasons. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to enable or disable the Recommended section in Windows 11, ensuring your desktop and Start menu are tailored to your preferences.
What You’ll Need
- A Windows 11 PC with administrative access
- Internet connection (optional, for updates)
Step-by-Step
- Open the Settings app: Click on the Start menu (Windows icon) and select the gear-shaped Settings icon, or press Windows + I on your keyboard to quickly launch Settings.
- Navigate to Personalization: In the Settings window, click on “Personalization” from the sidebar menu. This section controls how your Windows interface appears.
- Access the Start menu settings: Within Personalization, find and click on “Start” in the left pane. This section manages the appearance and behavior of the Start menu.
- Locate the “Show recently added apps” and “Show suggestions occasionally in Start” options: Scroll down to find these toggle switches. These options control whether recent apps and suggestions, including the Recommended section, appear in Start.
- Disable “Show suggestions occasionally in Start”: Switch this toggle to the Off position to hide the Recommended section from the Start menu. If you also want to remove recent apps or files, toggle those options off as well.
- Optional – Adjust Notification Settings: To prevent recommendations from appearing elsewhere, go back to Settings main menu, select “System,” then “Notifications,” and turn off “Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows”.
- Verify the change: Open the Start menu by clicking the Windows icon or pressing the Windows key. Confirm that the Recommended section no longer appears. If it still does, restart your PC to ensure changes take effect.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to toggle off “Show suggestions occasionally in Start” — this is the primary setting controlling the Recommended section.
- Not restarting after changing settings — some UI changes require a restart to apply fully.
- Confusing recent apps with recommendations — turning off recent apps does not disable the Suggested section if suggestions are enabled.
- Adjusting settings in the wrong menu — ensure you’re in the Personalization > Start section, not elsewhere.
Tips
- If you want a completely clean Start menu, disable all options related to suggestions and recent items.
- Use Group Policy Editor (for Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise) to disable suggestions system-wide for more control.
- Keep your Windows updated; some features may behave differently on older versions or after updates.
- Combine this setting with customizing the Start menu tiles for a personalized experience.
Troubleshooting
If the Recommended section persists after disabling it through Settings, try the following steps:
- Restart your computer to apply all changes.
- Check for Windows updates: Go to Settings > Windows Update and install any pending updates, as bugs related to UI can be fixed in updates.
- Reset the Start menu layout: Open PowerShell as administrator and run the command
Get-AppxPackage -Name Microsoft.WindowsStartMenuExperienceHost | Reset-AppxPackage. Restart your PC afterward. - If using third-party customization tools, disable or uninstall them as they may interfere with Windows UI elements.
- In some cases, creating a new user account can resolve persistent display issues related to personalization settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I selectively hide certain recommendations in Windows 11?
Currently, Windows 11 does not allow selective hiding of individual recommendations; you can only disable the entire Suggestions feature via Settings.
2. Will turning off the Recommended section affect Windows updates or notifications?
No, disabling the Recommended section only affects suggestions and files shown in Start; it does not impact system updates or notifications.
3. Is it possible to re-enable the Recommended section after disabling it?
Yes, simply go back to Settings > Personalization > Start and toggle “Show suggestions occasionally in Start” back on.
4. Does turning off recommendations improve system performance?
Disabling suggestions may marginally improve performance by reducing background processes or visual clutter, but the impact is usually minimal on modern hardware.
5. Are there registry hacks to disable recommendations?
While possible, editing the registry is advanced and can cause issues if done incorrectly. It’s recommended to use Settings for this task.
6. Can I disable recommendations on the lock screen?
Yes, go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and turn off “Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more” to limit suggestions on the lock screen.
By following these steps and tips, you can easily control whether the Recommended section appears in your Windows 11 interface, creating a more streamlined or personalized experience according to your needs.
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