Personalization Add or Remove Recommended Websites on Start Menu in Windows 11


  • Staff
Start.png

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove recommended websites on the Start menu for your account, specific users, or all users in Windows 11.

The Start menu is comprised of three sections: Pinned, All apps, and Recommended.

Starting with Windows 11 build 23451 (Dev), Microsoft is re-introducing websites after trying this out with Insiders last fall. One improvement Microsoft made is to recommend more useful and personal websites based on your browsing history instead of generally popular websites. Insiders can right-click on a website and choose to remove a website individually at any given time. Only some Insiders will see this experience and, if you do, please share your feedback.

Starting with Windows 11 build 22621.2359 (Release Preview) and build 22621.2361 (public), Microsoft is introducing websites to the Recommended section of the Start menu. These websites will be personalized for you and come from your browsing history. This gives you quick access to the websites that are important to you. You can remove any website URL from the Recommended section using the shortcut menu.

This feature will apply to users who have opted into sharing browsing data with Microsoft and have visited enough websites in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome (with Continuous Import enabled).


Contents

  • Option One: Remove Specific Recommended Websites on Start Menu for Current User
  • Option Two: Turn Off Recommended Websites on Start Menu for Current User
  • Option Three: Turn On or Off Recommended Websites on Start Menu for Current User in Settings
  • Option Four: Enable or Disable Recommended Websites on Start Menu for All or Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Five: Enable or Disable Recommended Websites on Start Menu for All Users using REG file




Option One

Remove Specific Recommended Websites on Start Menu for Current User


1 Open the Start menu :win:. (see screenshot below)

2 Perform one of the following actions:
  • Under Recommended, right click on a recommended website you want to remove, and click/tap on Remove from list.
  • Click/tap on the More button under Recommended, right click on a recommended website you want to remove, and click/tap on Remove from list.
stop_showing_recommended_websites_on_Start_menu.jpg





Option Two

Turn Off Recommended Websites on Start Menu for Current User


1 Open the Start menu :win:. (see screenshot below)

2 Under Recommended, right click on a recommended website.

3 Click/tap on Stop showing recommended websites.

stop_showing_recommended_websites_on_Start_menu.jpg





Option Three

Turn On or Off Recommended Websites on Start Menu for Current User in Settings


1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on Personalization on the left side, and click/tap on Start on the right side. (see screenshot below)


Recommended_websites_on_Start_menu_Settings-1.png

3 Turn On (default) or Off Show websites from your browsing history for what you want on the right side. (see screenshot below)

Recommended_websites_on_Start_menu_Settings-2.png

4 You can now close Settings if you like.




Option Four

Enable or Disable Recommended Websites on Start Menu for All or Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.

The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Five to configure the same policy.


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

Recommended_websites_on_Start_menu_gpedit-1.png

3 In the right pane of Start Menu and Taskbar in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Remove Personalized Website Recommendations from the Recommended section in the Start Menu policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you want.

5 Enable Show Recommended Websites on Start Menu

This is the default setting to allow users to use Option One, Option Two, and Option Three.


A) Select (dot) Not Configured. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.​

Recommended_websites_on_Start_menu_gpedit-2.png

6 Disable Show Recommended Websites on Start Menu

This will disable and prevent users from using Option One Option Two, and Option Three.


A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.​

Recommended_websites_on_Start_menu_gpedit-3.png

7 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.




Option Four

Enable or Disable Recommended Websites on Start Menu for All Users using REG file


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.


1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.

2 Enable Show Recommended Websites on Start Menu for All Users

This is the default setting to allow users to use Option One Option Two, and Option Three.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Enable_recommended_websites_on_Start_menu_for_all_users.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Softare\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedPersonalizedSites"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedPersonalizedSites"=-

3 Disable Show Recommended Websites on Start Menu for All Users

This will disable and prevent users from using Option One Option Two, and Option Three.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Disable_recommended_websites_on_Start_menu_for_all_users.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Softare\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedPersonalizedSites"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedPersonalizedSites"=dword:00000001

4 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 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

Attachments

  • Start.png
    Start.png
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  • Disable_recommended_websites_on_Start_menu_for_all_users.reg
    892 bytes · Views: 126
  • Enable_recommended_websites_on_Start_menu_for_all_users.reg
    840 bytes · Views: 109
Last edited:
Hi,
Nice no reg files what's up with that :p
You used the same screen shot on both 1 & 2 options
1 should highlight remove from list not stop showing .... same as 2
Happy thanksgiving :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-7-10-11Pro's
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer 17" Nitro 7840sn/ 2x16gb 5600c40/ 4060/ stock 1tb-os/ 4tb sn850x
    CPU
    10900k & 9940x & 5930k
    Motherboard
    z490-Apex & x299-Apex & x99-Sabertooth
    Memory
    Trident-Z Royal 4000c16 2x16gb & Trident-Z 3600c16 4x8gb & 3200c14 4x8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Titan Xp & 1080ti FTW3 & evga 980ti gaming
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek x3
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1-AOC G2460PG 24"G-Sync 144Hz/ 2nd 1-ASUS VG248QE 24"/ 3rd LG 43" series
    Screen Resolution
    1920-1080 not sure what the t.v is besides 43" class scales from 1920-1080 perfectly
    Hard Drives
    2-WD-sn850x 4tb/ 970evo+500gb/ 980 pro 2tb.
    PSU
    1000p2 & 1200p2 & 850p2
    Case
    D450 x2 & 1 Test bench in cherry Entertainment center
    Cooling
    Custom water loops x3 with 2x mora 360mm rads only 980ti gaming air cooled
    Keyboard
    G710+x3
    Mouse
    Redragon x3
    Internet Speed
    xfinity gigabyte
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    mbam pro
Hi,
Nice no reg files what's up with that :p
You used the same screen shot on both 1 & 2 options
1 should highlight remove from list not stop showing .... same as 2
Happy thanksgiving :cool:

Process Monitor showed no change in the registry for a REG option. :(

Hopefully once the feature is fully baked, Microsoft will have a on/off toggle in Settings.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Tutorial updated to add options 3, 4, and 5. :alien:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Tutorial updated to add options 3, 4, and 5. :alien:

Hello Brink,
I don't have this option in Personalization > Start in any of my machines, is there some way of making show up?
Thanks.

1700275152620.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Yoga 920
    CPU
    Intel I7-8550U
    Motherboard
    n/a
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics UHD 620
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio (SST)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4k Touch screen
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB NVMe
Hello Brink,
I don't have this option in Personalization > Start in any of my machines, is there some way of making show up?
Thanks.
Hmm, I don't have this setting anymore either in build 25997 (Canary).
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Hmm, I don't have this setting anymore either in build 25997 (Canary).
Thanks, I don't see it on any Build in my machines. There was a user reporting a problem caused by that setting in Dev Build 23590, but I just don't have it anywhere on any Build. 🤷‍♀️
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Yoga 920
    CPU
    Intel I7-8550U
    Motherboard
    n/a
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics UHD 620
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio (SST)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4k Touch screen
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB NVMe
Thanks, I don't see it on any Build in my machines. There was a user reporting a problem caused by that setting in Dev Build 23590, but I just don't have it anywhere on any Build. 🤷‍♀️
I haven't seen any release notes so far about it being removed.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Yoga 920
    CPU
    Intel I7-8550U
    Motherboard
    n/a
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics UHD 620
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio (SST)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4k Touch screen
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB NVMe

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