Turning off the recommended feature in Windows 11 can actually make your Start menu look a lot cleaner and less cluttered. You know, those suggestions for apps or files that pop up based on what Windows reckons you want? Sometimes they’re just… not worth it, or worse, distracting. So, to get rid of ‘em, you just need to tweak a couple of settings in the Settings menu. It’s pretty quick, probably under five minutes—unless you start poking around and get sidetracked.
How to Turn Off Recommended in Windows 11
Why bother? Well, if that stuff bugs ya, or if you prefer a simpler look, turning off these recommendations helps. It’s also handy if you want to keep your recent files and suggested apps a bit more private—less chance anyone peeks at what you’ve been working on. Here’s the gist: open your Start menu, go into Settings, then Personalisation, and untick some options. Dead easy.
Step 1: Open the Start Menu
Click the Start button in the bottom-left corner or tap the Windows key. The menu pops up, showing your apps and… probably a bunch of suggested stuff and recent files. If it’s looking a bit cluttered, that’s why you’re here.
Step 2: Access Settings
Once it’s open, click on the gear icon labelled Settings. If you’re quick on the keyboard, Windows + I does the job faster. Inside Settings, look for Personalisation. It’s like the outfit designer for your Windows interface. Sometimes you’ll need to click around a bit, but it’s usually straightforward.
Step 3: Navigate to Personalisation
In Settings, pick Personalisation. This is where you can really customise how things look and behave. Start scrolling, and on the left pane, find and click Start.
Step 4: Go to the Start Section
Now, within Start settings, you’ll see some checkboxes for what Windows shows — like Show recently added apps, Show most used apps, and Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer. Turn these off. You might need to scroll down a bit to see all the options.
Step 5: Disable Recommendations
Switch off those toggles. That basically tells Windows, “Nah, I’ve got this.” You’ll notice your Start menu becoming way tidier. It stops showing recent files, suggested apps, and all that jazz. It’s like tidying up your digital clutter drawer.
Honestly, on some machines, you might need to restart or sign out for the changes to fully kick in—Windows can be a bit quirky that way. Sometimes a quick reboot is enough to see the full effect, especially if the options don’t seem to stick right away. Because, of course, Windows loves to make things a bit more complicated than they need to be.
Tips for Turning Off Recommended in Windows 11
- If you’re used to your setup, leave Show most used apps on if it actually helps you get to your go-to programs quick smart.
- Check your Start menu now and then—stuff can sneak back in after updates or if you install certain apps that reset your preferences.
- Have a fiddle in the Personalisation settings—you can even choose which folders or shortcuts to show or hide if you’re feeling fancy.
- If you want the suggestions back later, just switch those options back on. Easy peasy.
- And keep in mind: Windows updates sometimes shuffle these options around, so if things stop behaving as they should after an upgrade, have a look again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why might I want to turn off recommendations in Windows 11?
It’s mainly for a cleaner look or a bit more privacy; those suggestions can sometimes get in your way or feel a bit intrusive.
Can I re-enable recommendations later if needed?
Absolutely. Just head back into the same settings and toggle everything back on—no worries.
Will turning off recommendations mess with any other settings?
Nah. It just stops the suggestions, recent files, and app recommendations. It won’t affect how your system runs or anything core.
Are these changes permanent?
Nah, they’re reversible. Windows makes it easy to change things around whenever you like.
Do these settings impact system performance?
Turning off recommendations doesn’t really speed things up, but it does make your Start menu less cluttered — which can make opening apps a bit quicker sometimes.
Summary
- Open the Start menu.
- Go to Settings (Windows + I shortcut works a charm).
- Head to Personalisation and then Start.
- Turn off the toggles for recent and suggested items.
Hopefully this helps you save a bit of hassle. Sometimes just changing these little things makes life a lot easier down the track.