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The Windows 11 Start Menu brings a fresh new look and exciting features to enhance the user experience. One of the new additions is the Recommended section, which suggests apps, files, and websites based on your usage patterns. While this feature aims to make navigation more convenient, some users may prefer a cleaner Start Menu without these recommendations. If you’re one of them, follow the steps below to remove the Recommended section from the Windows 11 Start Menu.
Step 1: Right-click on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen.
Step 2: From the context menu, select "Taskbar settings."
Step 3: In the Taskbar settings window, scroll down to the "Personalization" section.
Step 4: Under Personalization, locate and click on the "Start" option.
Step 5: In the Start settings, find the toggle switch for "Show recommendations in Start."
Step 6: Disable the toggle switch by clicking on it. It should turn gray when deactivated.
Step 7: Close the Taskbar settings window.
By following these steps, you can easily remove the Recommended section from the Windows 11 Start Menu, giving it a more streamlined and personalized appearance.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Provides a cleaner and more focused Start Menu interface. | 1. May miss out on potentially useful app and file recommendations. |
| 2. Offers enhanced customization options to suit individual preferences. | 2. Removing the Recommended section requires navigating through settings. |
| 3. Allows users to prioritize their own app and file organization. | 3. Some users may find the Recommended section helpful in discovering new content. |
Video Tutorial:How do I remove the Start menu shortcut in Windows 11?
Why did Windows 11 change the Start menu?
The decision to change the Start menu in Windows 11 can be attributed to several factors:
1. Modernization and Simplification: One of the primary reasons for the Start menu redesign is to provide a more modern and streamlined user interface. Windows 11 aims to enhance the user experience by incorporating a centered Start button and a simplified menu layout. This change enables greater ease of use and a visually appealing design that aligns with current design trends.
2. Touch-Friendly Interface: Windows 11 caters to the growing popularity of touch-enabled devices, such as tablets and 2-in-1 laptops. The new Start menu layout with larger icons and centered orientation improves touch interaction by making it easier to access frequently used apps and features.
3. Enhanced Productivity: Windows 11 aims to improve productivity and efficiency for users. The redesigned Start menu focuses on productivity by grouping apps into separate categories and providing quick access to recent files, recommended apps, and a dedicated search bar. This reorganization enables users to find and launch their applications more quickly while reducing clutter.
4. Consistency with Other Platforms: Microsoft strives for consistency across its ecosystem of devices and platforms. The new Start menu in Windows 11 aligns with the visual style and layout found in other Microsoft products like Windows 10X, Office apps, and the Fluent Design system. This consistency ensures a familiar user experience and allows users to seamlessly transition between different devices and platforms.
5. Visual Refresh: Windows 11 brings an overall visual refresh to the operating system, including rounded corners, new icons, and a centered taskbar. The redesigned Start menu plays a significant role in this visual overhaul, offering a more visually appealing and cohesive user interface.
Overall, the decision to change the Start menu in Windows 11 is driven by goals of modernization, simplification, improved touch interaction, productivity enhancements, platform consistency, and visual refresh. These changes aim to provide a more intuitive, efficient, and visually appealing experience for Windows users.
How do I change the Start menu in Windows 11?
To change the Start menu in Windows 11, follow these steps:
1. Click on the Start button located at the bottom left corner of the screen or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. The Start menu will open with a default layout.
3. To customize the Start menu, right-click on any app or tile that you want to remove or resize.
4. Select the "Unpin from Start" option to remove the app or tile from the Start menu.
5. Alternatively, you can choose the "Resize" option to adjust the size of the tile.
6. To add new apps or tiles to the Start menu, open the App Drawer by clicking on the "All apps" button at the top of the Start menu or by dragging the cursor to the left side of the screen and clicking on the icon that appears.
7. Locate the app you want to add to the Start menu, right-click on it, and choose the "Pin to Start" option.
8. If you want to create a custom folder in the Start menu, simply drag and drop app tiles on top of each other to create a group.
9. You can also rearrange the apps and tiles by clicking and dragging them to your preferred position within the Start menu.
10. To further personalize your Start menu, you can open the Settings app by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting "Settings." From there, you can explore various options such as choosing a different background, adjusting the size of the Start menu, or enabling or disabling certain features.
By following these steps, you should be able to easily change the Start menu in Windows 11 to suit your preferences.
How to clear hide recommended & recently opened history in Windows 11 Start menu?
The Start menu in Windows 11 provides a convenient way to access your frequently used and recommended apps. However, if you want to clear your recommended and recently opened history in the Start menu, you can follow these steps:
1. Open the Start menu: Click on the Start button located on the taskbar or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Customize Start: In the Start menu, click on the three horizontal lines, or "hamburger" icon, at the top right corner of the window. This will open the Customize Start settings.
3. Manage recommended and recently opened: In the Customize Start settings, scroll down until you find the "Recommended & Recently Opened" section. Click on it to expand further options.
4. Clear recommended and recently opened history: Under the "Recommended & Recently Opened" section, you’ll see two options: "Show last few items in Start and on the taskbar" and "Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer." If you want to remove both recommended and recently opened items, simply toggle off both options.
5. Restart the Start menu: After disabling the recommended and recently opened history, you can restart the Start menu to apply the changes. You can do this by signing out of your account and signing back in, or by restarting your computer.
By following these steps, you can clear your recommended and recently opened history in the Windows 11 Start menu. This provides a clean and personalized Start menu experience, free from any potentially sensitive or unnecessary recommendations.
How do I get rid of recommended programs?
To disable or remove recommended programs, follow these steps:
1. Access your device’s settings: On iOS 16, go to the "Settings" app, typically located on your home screen.
2. Navigate to the "Apps" or "Applications" section: Depending on the device and operating system version, the location of this option may vary. Look for a section that manages your installed apps.
3. Find the recommended programs section: Look for a subsection that specifically mentions "Recommended" or "Suggested" programs. This is usually found within the app settings or individual app properties.
4. Disable or remove recommended programs: Within the recommended programs section, there are generally two options available:
– Disable: Some devices allow you to disable recommended programs. Enabling this option will prevent them from appearing on your device. Toggle the switch or checkbox to disable the recommendations.
– Remove: If the device doesn’t provide a disable option, you might have the ability to remove the recommended programs altogether. Look for an option that allows you to remove or hide the recommendations. Tap on it and confirm your choice to remove them.
5. Repeat for each app: If the recommended programs are coming from multiple apps, ensure that you go through the steps above for each app individually.
6. Restart your device: After disabling or removing the recommendations, it is a good practice to restart your device. This ensures that the changes take effect across the system.
Following these steps should help you get rid of recommended programs on your iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, or iPhone 14 Plus running iOS 16. Please note that the exact options and steps may vary slightly depending on the specific device model and software version.
How do I remove items from the Start menu shortcut?
To remove items from the Start menu shortcut, follow these steps:
1. Click on the Start button located on the bottom left corner of the screen. This will open the Start menu.
2. Scroll through the list of installed apps until you find the one you want to remove from the Start menu shortcut.
3. Right-click on the app’s icon or name. A context menu will appear.
4. In the context menu, click on "Unpin from Start." This will remove the app from the Start menu shortcut.
Alternatively, you can also remove items from the Start menu shortcut by customizing the Start menu. Here’s how:
1. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar. A context menu will appear.
2. In the context menu, select "Taskbar settings." This will open the Taskbar settings menu.
3. Scroll down to the "Start" section in the Taskbar settings menu and click on it.
4. In the Start settings, click on "Choose folders" or "Choose which folders appear on Start." This will open a new window where you can customize the Start menu.
5. In the list of folders that appear, you can toggle the switch next to each folder to choose whether it should appear in the Start menu or not. If you want to remove a folder from the Start menu shortcut, simply toggle the switch off.
By following these steps, you will be able to remove items from the Start menu shortcut on your Windows computer.