Windows 11 has introduced a range of new features and design elements, including the ‘Recommended’ section on the Start menu. For users looking for a cleaner look or those who prefer to customize their experience, removing the Recommended section might be desirable. Here are five ways to remove or adjust the Recommended section in Windows 11:

1.Tune the Start Settings:

You can directly reduce the number of items displayed in the Recommended section by going to Settings > Personalization > Start. There, you have options to show fewer or more items in the list or even turn off ‘Show recently added apps’, which will help declutter the space.

2.Clear Personal History:

Cleaning your personal history can also clear out your Recommended section to some extent. Navigate to Settings > Privacy & security > Activity history and click on ‘Clear activity history’. This action won’t prevent future recommendations but will clear what’s currently being displayed.

3.Use Group Policy:

For users with access to Group Policy Editor (mostly Pro version users), you can remove recommendations by going into Local Group Policy Editor > User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar. Here, find and enable policies related to removing recently added, most used apps, and specific ads or suggestions.

4.Registry Edit:

Advanced users can opt for Registry editing for deeper customization. Open Registry Editor and go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\. Right-click on Advanced, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it ‘Start_TrackProgs’, and set its value to 0. This tweak prevents programs from appearing on the Start list.

5.Third-Party Utilities:

If manual customization seems daunting, several third-party utilities can assist in customizing the Windows Start menu experience. These programs offer user-friendly interfaces that allow removal of not just the Recommended section but also other elements of the Start menu.

Before proceeding with Group Policy Edits or Registry Edits, remember these are advanced actions that carry a risk of affecting system stability if done incorrectly; always back up your system before making such changes.

By following these methods, users have a range of options for controlling what shows up in their Windows 11 Start menu, tailoring it more closely to their preferences and needs.