Having a cluttered Start Menu can make your Windows 10 experience less efficient, especially if recently added groups or apps no longer interest you. Removing the “Recently Added” group from the Start Menu helps declutter your workspace, making it easier to access your frequently used apps and organize your tiles. This guide walks you through the simple steps to hide or remove the Recently Added section, giving your Start Menu a cleaner, more personalized look. Before starting, ensure your Windows 10 is up to date to avoid any unexpected glitches during the process.
What You’ll Need
- A Windows 10 PC with administrative privileges (most users will already have these).
- Basic familiarity with Windows settings and the Start Menu.
- An internet connection (optional, for troubleshooting or updates).
Step-by-Step
- Click on the Windows icon or press the Windows key to open the Start Menu.
- Look for the “Recently Added” group at the top or within the Start Menu tiles. This group typically displays apps you’ve recently installed or added.
- Right-click on the “Recently Added” group or any app tile within that group.
- From the context menu, select “Unpin from Start” or “Remove from Start.” This action will remove the specific app or group from the Start Menu.
- If the “Recently Added” group does not disappear immediately, repeat the process for each app within that group to ensure all are unpinned.
- To prevent the “Recently Added” section from reappearing in the future, you need to disable the feature that generates this group. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I.
- Navigate to Personalization > Start.
- Find the toggle labeled “Show recently added apps” and switch it to the Off position.
- Close Settings. The “Recently Added” group should now be removed and will not reappear unless you re-enable the feature.
- Restart your computer to ensure changes take effect properly.
Common Mistakes
- Attempting to remove individual apps without disabling the overall “Recently Added” feature, which causes the group to reappear.
- Unpinning apps from the taskbar instead of the Start Menu, which does not affect the “Recently Added” group.
- Forgetting to toggle off the “Show recently added apps” setting, leading to the group reappearing after a restart or update.
- Using an account without administrative privileges, which may restrict access to certain personalization settings.
Tips
- To quickly access the personalization settings, press Windows + I, then navigate directly to Personalization > Start.
- Customize your Start Menu further by pinning your most-used apps for faster access.
- If you want to keep some recent apps visible but hide others, consider manually pinning or unpinning individual apps instead of disabling the feature entirely.
- Use the Windows Feedback Hub to suggest improvements if you find the current setup lacking.
Troubleshooting
If the “Recently Added” group does not disappear after following the steps:
- Ensure you have toggled off the “Show recently added apps” setting in Settings > Personalization > Start.
- Restart your computer after making changes to apply them properly.
- If the group still appears, check for Windows updates by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and installing any pending updates.
- Reset the Start Menu layout by opening PowerShell as an administrator and running:
Get-StartApps | Remove-StartApps. Be cautious with PowerShell commands and back up your system if necessary. - If problems persist, consider creating a new user profile to see if the issue is profile-specific.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I permanently remove the “Recently Added” group from the Start Menu?
Yes, by disabling the “Show recently added apps” setting in Personalization > Start, you prevent the group from appearing again.
2. Will removing this group affect other parts of Windows 10?
No, it only affects the display of recently added apps in your Start Menu; core system functionality remains unaffected.
3. How do I restore the “Recently Added” group if I change my mind?
Go back to Settings > Personalization > Start and toggle “Show recently added apps” to On.
4. Is there a way to hide specific apps from appearing in the “Recently Added” group?
Yes, unpin the individual app from Start. To prevent it from reappearing, avoid reinstalling or re-adding it to recent apps.
5. Does this method work on Windows 10 versions older than the latest updates?
Most recent Windows 10 versions support these settings, but if you encounter issues, ensure your system is up to date.
Related
- How to Remove Apps from Desktop Windows 11 Easily
- How to Remove Apps from Desktop Without Deleting Them on Windows 11
- How to Remove Apps from CarPlay on iPhone 13