This tutorial will show you how to remove the Recommended section from the Start Menu for specific users or all users in Windows 11.
The Start menu in Windows 11 is comprised of three sections: Pinned, All apps, and Recommended.
The Recommended section on the Start menu shows a list of your recently added apps, recently opened items, and websites.
This will only work for Windows 11 Education (aka: "Windows 11 SE") and Enterprise editions.
You must be signed in as an administrator to remove the Recommended section from the Start Menu.
Contents
- Option One: Remove Recommended Section from Start Menu for All or Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Two: Remove Recommended Section from Start Menu for All Users using REG file
EXAMPLE: Add and Remove Recommended section on the Start Menu
Remove Recommended Section from Start Menu for All or Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor
1 Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.
2 Navigate to the policy location below you want in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)
(All users)
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
OR
(Specific user or group)
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
3 In the right pane of Start Menu and Taskbar in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Remove Recommended section from Start Menu policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4 Do step 5 (add) or step 6 (remove) below for what you want.
5 Add Recommended Section to Start Menu
This is the default setting.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.
6 Remove Recommended Section from Start Menu
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.
7 Close the Local Group Policy Editor.
8 Either restart explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.
1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.
2 Add Recommended Section to Start Menu for All Users
This is the default setting
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Add_Recommended_section_to_Start_Menu_for_all_users.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedSection"=-
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedSection"=-3 Remove Recommended Section from Start Menu for All Users
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Remove_Recommended_section_from_Start_Menu_for_all_users.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedSection"=-
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedSection"=dword:000000014 Save the REG file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 Either restart explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.
8 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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