Get rid of the Start menu "Recommended" section — via Mauro Huculak, Pureinfotech

Hidden settinglow riskWindows 11 24H2 and later

On Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 the Recommended section disappears by itself once you turn off the four things that feed it, including app promotions. No registry edit needed.

Takes effect right away

How to do it

Settings → Personalization → Start.
Turn off Show recently added apps, Show recommended files in Start, recent files in File Explorer, and items in Jump Lists, Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more and Show websites from your browsing history.

On 23H2 and older the section stays visible but empty. Toggle names have changed between builds. The second toggle also clears recent files from File Explorer's Home.

Sources

How to disable 'Recommended' section from Start menu on Windows 11 — by Mauro Huculak, Pureinfotech

Source reviewed: 2026-11-02
Link checked: 2026-11-02
Tested hands-on: Not by Oddbyte.Me

Oddbyte.Me hasn't tried this on every Windows build, so keep the undo handy.

start menurecommendedapp promotionsadsrecent files

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Hidden settinglow risk

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Registrylow risk

Windows waits 400 ms before opening a cascading submenu when you hover over it. Lowering the delay makes classic menus (like the full right-click menu's "Send to") feel snappier.

Get rid of the Start menu "Recommended" section — via Mauro Huculak, Pureinfotech

How to do it

Sources

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