The forthcoming overhaul of the Windows 11 Start menu is one of the most anticipated interface changes in Microsoft’s modern desktop operating system, promising much-needed relief for users frustrated by clutter and unsolicited suggestions. Chief among the new features being tested is a toggle that finally lets users remove the “Recommended” feed from the Start menu—a capability long requested by Windows enthusiasts and IT professionals alike. For years, the Recommended section, which serves up shortcuts to files, tips, and app installs, has been a persistent presence in the Start menu, even as other forms of personalization and customization steadily advanced within the operating system. With build 26120.4250 and newer, Microsoft is testing a simple, effective, and official setting to entirely disable these recommendations, streamlining access to installed apps and restoring greater user autonomy.
Since Windows 11’s debut with version 21H2, the Start menu has been one of the most high-profile changes to the desktop experience. Designed with clean aesthetics and simplicity in mind, the new Start replaced the Windows 10 tile-based layout with a grid of pinned apps and a Recommended feed populating the lower half. The intention behind this feed was to surface relevant content—frequently used files, recently accessed apps, and Microsoft’s suggestions for tips or new software—making productivity tools readily available without further navigation.
However, user feedback has consistently highlighted a downside: the Recommended section sometimes becomes a source of distraction, clutter, or even privacy concern, especially when unannounced app promotions or cloud file activity populate the area. Until now, options to pare down this section have been limited. While users could hide individual files or cloud recommendations, the ability to remove the entire feed was missing.
Microsoft’s incremental introduction of decluttering tools was seen as half-measure. Users could disable cloud content, limit app suggestions, and increase the number of pinned apps (with a “More Pins” layout), but these changes always left the Recommended feed taking up significant screen real estate. For laptops and devices with limited vertical space, this meant even more scrolling to access a full list of apps, defeating the point of a quick-launch interface.
Microsoft claims this approach balances a familiar user journey with modern UI expectations, particularly as more Windows devices ship with varied form factors, including touchscreen tablets and foldables. Actual user feedback has been mixed, however, with some praising the added organization, while others find the changes too subtle to be transformative. For power users, the ability to finally remove Recommended content overshadows debates about visual tweaks.
Paste the following into Notepad and save with a
Double-click the saved file in File Explorer, confirm execution, then restart your PC. Upon reboot, the Recommended section is hidden.
By making this section optional, Microsoft acknowledges mounting pressure to balance business incentives with user choice. Commentators see this as part of a trend, alongside recent moves to allow the uninstallation of more pre-installed apps, greater telemetry controls, and more granular privacy settings.
Additionally, while the Recommended feed can now be hidden, there is no fine-grained control to show only limited kinds of suggestions (e.g., only tips but not apps, or vice versa). Some users may desire more tailored customization.
However, not all risks are vanquished. The delay in providing this level of control—and the continued reliance on registry workarounds for unsupported versions—suggests a sometimes cautious or slow-moving approach within Microsoft’s product planning. Rapid iteration is sometimes stymied by the competing demands of enterprise stability, user familiarity, and the broader goals of ecosystem lock-in.
Moreover, as with all opt-out features, the default remains on. Most users may never discover the new toggle unless proactive in their customization. Some partners or OEMs could also override user preferences on managed devices.
In testing, early adopters report the new Start experience is stable, but final verdicts on performance and regression remain pending as the update undergoes wider rollout. IT departments planning to mass-deploy 24H2 should test thoroughly to avoid surprises with legacy apps or unusual device configurations.
The option to remove the Start menu’s Recommended feed marks an overdue but unequivocal win for user empowerment. For a feature often cited as a glaring annoyance, its new-found optionality is emblematic of a broader shift: giving users, not algorithms or advertising, the final say over their primary workspace.
As the 24H2 update becomes generally available, its reception will be a critical bellwether for the future direction of Windows customization. Will this signal further rollback of “nudgeware”? Might the trend extend to greater control over widgets, system notifications, and other parts of the UI?
For now, users can celebrate a rare point of consensus: less is more, and the power to say “no, thank you” is finally returning to the Start menu.
Source: Windows Latest Windows 11 24H2 tests toggle to turn off Recommended feed in the Start menu
Since Windows 11’s debut with version 21H2, the Start menu has been one of the most high-profile changes to the desktop experience. Designed with clean aesthetics and simplicity in mind, the new Start replaced the Windows 10 tile-based layout with a grid of pinned apps and a Recommended feed populating the lower half. The intention behind this feed was to surface relevant content—frequently used files, recently accessed apps, and Microsoft’s suggestions for tips or new software—making productivity tools readily available without further navigation.However, user feedback has consistently highlighted a downside: the Recommended section sometimes becomes a source of distraction, clutter, or even privacy concern, especially when unannounced app promotions or cloud file activity populate the area. Until now, options to pare down this section have been limited. While users could hide individual files or cloud recommendations, the ability to remove the entire feed was missing.
User Frustrations and the Call for Change
Community forums, social media, and feedback hubs have been brimming with requests to “declutter” the Start menu. IT administrators cite confusion and support tickets from end users unsure why suggested content appears. Privacy-conscious individuals worry about sensitive work or personal files showing up at inopportune moments, such as during screen sharing or presentations. Windows enthusiasts—a core segment of Microsoft’s base—have been vocal about the need for power-user controls that go beyond superficial customization.Microsoft’s incremental introduction of decluttering tools was seen as half-measure. Users could disable cloud content, limit app suggestions, and increase the number of pinned apps (with a “More Pins” layout), but these changes always left the Recommended feed taking up significant screen real estate. For laptops and devices with limited vertical space, this meant even more scrolling to access a full list of apps, defeating the point of a quick-launch interface.
What’s New in Windows 11 24H2? Direct Control Over Recommendations
In its upcoming 24H2 release, Microsoft finally addresses this glaring gap. The latest builds for testers—specifically, build 26120.4250 and newer—bring a new toggle within the Settings app:- Navigate to Settings > Personalization > Start
- Disable the switch labeled “Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more”
The New Start Menu: Multiple App Layouts, Single-Page Focus
In addition to the Recommended toggle, Microsoft is experimenting with multiple app layouts. The refined Start menu gets a single-page design, marginally taller than its predecessor to take better advantage of screens with greater height or resolution. Grouping apps under intuitive categories—potentially powered by intelligent algorithms—further enhances navigation, enabling users to quickly locate work, entertainment, or system tools.Microsoft claims this approach balances a familiar user journey with modern UI expectations, particularly as more Windows devices ship with varied form factors, including touchscreen tablets and foldables. Actual user feedback has been mixed, however, with some praising the added organization, while others find the changes too subtle to be transformative. For power users, the ability to finally remove Recommended content overshadows debates about visual tweaks.
How To Disable Recommended Feed: A Step-By-Step Guide
For those eager to streamline their Start menu, the process couldn’t be simpler once the 24H2 update lands:- Press the Win + I keys on your keyboard to launch the Settings app.
- Select Personalization > Start.
- Locate the toggle: Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more.
- Set this option to Off.
For Users on Older Versions: Registry Tweaks Still Work (But With Risks)
Not everyone is on the bleeding edge. Windows 11 23H2, for example, remains widely deployed across millions of PCs, with end of support scheduled for November 11, 2025. On these earlier builds, there is still no official option to disable the Recommended section from Settings. However, for those comfortable with a riskier route, a registry tweak offers a workaround:Paste the following into Notepad and save with a
.reg extension (for example, hiderec.reg):
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\current\device\Start]
"HideRecommendedSection"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\current\device\Education]
"IsEducationEnvironment"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedSection"=dword:00000001Critical Caveats
- Editing the registry always carries risk. Improper changes can destabilize or damage your system. Always back up your registry and set a restore point before proceeding.
- Microsoft only supports this method unofficially, and it could break in future cumulative updates. Some users report regressions or the need to reapply the tweak.
- This approach may not work on all enterprise-managed devices, especially those governed by group policy or enrolled in Microsoft Intune.
Why This Change Matters: Usability, Privacy, and Workplace Efficiency
The significance of this long-requested feature extends beyond aesthetics or personal preference. Its impact is felt across three primary dimensions:Enhanced Usability and Accessibility
Power users and IT professionals routinely interact with dozens, sometimes hundreds, of applications. A cluttered Start menu—even with “smart” suggestions—can obscure critical tools and slow navigation. Especially on smaller laptop screens, every pixel matters. By giving users the choice to prioritize pinned and all apps lists, Microsoft empowers more efficient workflows.Improved Privacy and Professionalism
For many, the Recommended feed’s tendency to surface recent files—sometimes of a sensitive or confidential nature—posed real privacy challenges. In professional settings, presenters found themselves scrambling to explain why certain files appeared during live demonstrations or remote support sessions. The new toggle eliminates the risk, assuring users that only their chosen apps are visible.Responding to Community Feedback
Perhaps most importantly, this update signals Microsoft’s willingness to heed feedback from its most passionate users. The journey from Windows 11’s initial release to the upcoming 24H2 toggle has been marked by sustained user advocacy and incremental change. Industry observers note that this could serve as precedent for further user-driven enhancements, putting meaningful customization back in the hands of those who rely on Windows daily.Wider Implications: Is Microsoft Rethinking Its Approach to User Control?
While the removal of the Recommended feed is a win for transparency and user-centered design, it comes amidst broader debates about Microsoft’s use of Windows as a platform for its services and ecosystem. The Start menu has historically served as the gateway to advertising new features, apps, and even third-party products. Users and privacy advocates have been critical of practices that verge on unsolicited suggestions—what some term “operating system bloat” or “dark pattern” design.By making this section optional, Microsoft acknowledges mounting pressure to balance business incentives with user choice. Commentators see this as part of a trend, alongside recent moves to allow the uninstallation of more pre-installed apps, greater telemetry controls, and more granular privacy settings.
What Remains To Be Done?
Despite the progress, some features high on community wishlists remain missing. Chief among them: the ability to reposition the Windows taskbar—a flexibility prized in Windows 7 and 10, removed in the transition to Windows 11. Official responses suggest that while Microsoft is aware of the demand, there are currently no plans to reintroduce the feature.Additionally, while the Recommended feed can now be hidden, there is no fine-grained control to show only limited kinds of suggestions (e.g., only tips but not apps, or vice versa). Some users may desire more tailored customization.
Best Practices for Start Menu Customization
For those looking to optimize their Windows 11 experience, consider the following:- Review and curate your Pinned apps. Keep only the most essential, frequently accessed programs for maximum efficiency.
- Leverage the All apps list. This index remains a powerful way to access less commonly used tools without crowding the main view.
- Experiment with new layouts. As the 24H2 update introduces expanded layout and grouping options, find what best matches your workflow.
- Set up regular backups. Especially before experimenting with registry tweaks, ensure restore points and backups are current.
Critical Analysis: Strengths, Risks, and Remaining Friction
The introduction of a direct toggle to disable Recommended content in the Start menu stands as a clear strength for Windows 11 24H2. It boosts user agency, addresses long-standing community criticism, and signals renewed attention to detail in user experience design. Combined with visual and organizational updates, this positions the OS as more responsive to both power users and everyday consumers.However, not all risks are vanquished. The delay in providing this level of control—and the continued reliance on registry workarounds for unsupported versions—suggests a sometimes cautious or slow-moving approach within Microsoft’s product planning. Rapid iteration is sometimes stymied by the competing demands of enterprise stability, user familiarity, and the broader goals of ecosystem lock-in.
Moreover, as with all opt-out features, the default remains on. Most users may never discover the new toggle unless proactive in their customization. Some partners or OEMs could also override user preferences on managed devices.
In testing, early adopters report the new Start experience is stable, but final verdicts on performance and regression remain pending as the update undergoes wider rollout. IT departments planning to mass-deploy 24H2 should test thoroughly to avoid surprises with legacy apps or unusual device configurations.
The Road Ahead: Windows 11 in a Maturing Market
Microsoft’s move to allow deeper Start menu customization arrives at a pivotal moment. The Windows desktop faces renewed competition—not just from rival operating systems but from cloud app platforms, virtual desktops, and remote work solutions. Users expect personalization, privacy, and simplicity, even as the underlying OS grows more capable.The option to remove the Start menu’s Recommended feed marks an overdue but unequivocal win for user empowerment. For a feature often cited as a glaring annoyance, its new-found optionality is emblematic of a broader shift: giving users, not algorithms or advertising, the final say over their primary workspace.
As the 24H2 update becomes generally available, its reception will be a critical bellwether for the future direction of Windows customization. Will this signal further rollback of “nudgeware”? Might the trend extend to greater control over widgets, system notifications, and other parts of the UI?
For now, users can celebrate a rare point of consensus: less is more, and the power to say “no, thank you” is finally returning to the Start menu.
Source: Windows Latest Windows 11 24H2 tests toggle to turn off Recommended feed in the Start menu