Microsoft’s relentless mission to make Windows 11 “smarter” has ushered in upgrades to the Start menu’s Recommended panel, but not everyone is raving about it. Some welcome the changes with raised eyebrows while others ask: Why, oh why, can’t I just get rid of this thing? Let’s dive in and pick it apart.
Quick recap if you're lost: the Recommended panel is that bit in the Start menu where Microsoft likes to "nudge" you to revisit apps, files, or websites you may have used recently—or worse, thinks you should use. In the past, this space has been criticized for occasionally serving up thinly disguised advertisements some users found intrusive and downright annoying.
In essence, this tweak relies on smarter algorithms to improve what gets surfaced. Microsoft suggests it’s about “giving you tools that matter,” which sounds good in theory. But here comes the controversial part—the Recommended feature is here to stay, and you’ve got no say in its eviction. That's right: no matter how much feedback users throw at Microsoft about turning it off completely, they've confirmed that this real estate isn't budging.
For those who embrace these nudges, the Start menu serves as a personalized productivity hub. But for others, it feels like handing over too much control to Microsoft, as well as cluttering up precious interface real estate they’d prefer to curate themselves. Imagine having a table in your kitchen that continuously rearranges items without your approval—you didn’t put those bananas there; Microsoft did.
Part of the problem lies in execution. In prior iterations, the recommendations frequently felt generic, irrelevant, or outright out-of-touch. Throw in a historical peppering of ads masquerading as suggestions, and you’ve got some disgruntled users wondering if this isn’t all just a ploy to shove more Microsoft services down their throat.
While cool in concept, it's hard to ignore that this promotes Edge as yet another sticky app Microsoft refuses to let go of. Convenient? Absolutely. But much like the Start menu discussion, some see this as a double-edged sword, with Microsoft embedding its ecosystem deeper into workflows where alternatives are better suited (or simply preferred).
It's worth noting that improving algorithm quality—which is emphasized in this build—is no small feat. The goal is to turn these nudges into “predictive helpers” where the system serves content at the right time without feeling overtly invasive. Think of it as Microsoft's attempt at predictive analytics but wrapped up in your daily operating system usage. This reveals a bigger trend: AI-backed personalization is Microsoft’s not-so-secret weapon in the OS arms race.
A core design philosophy of Windows has always been the balance between usability for regular users and customizability for power users. By locking down features like the Recommended panel, this balance tilts, leaving long-time tinkerers feeling handcuffed. Can this approach sustain the loyalty of Windows’s vast user base? Or will it alienate its most passionate advocates?
The inability to fully curate the Start menu remains a sore spot. A "smart" OS is only as good as its ability to listen to users—something Microsoft occasionally struggles with. Instead of forcing features into the limelight, why doesn’t Microsoft trust its users to decide whether nudges, ads, or visual clutter fit their workflow?
Here’s hoping future builds bring genuine flexibility for Start menu customization. Until then, we play the waiting game.
What do you think of Microsoft’s tweaks? Are these changes enough to redeem the Start menu’s clutter, or do you want to kick the Recommended panel to the curb? Drop your thoughts below—love it or hate it, let’s hear it.
Source: TechRadar Windows 11’s Start menu recommendations are being improved – but I’m still not impressed, Microsoft
What’s Changing in the Recommended Panel?
If you’re running a recent preview build (22635.4655) in the Windows 11 Beta Channel, you may have noticed that your Start menu is, well, “trying harder.” Microsoft has revamped its algorithm to deliver better-filtered and more relevant recommendations, based on actual user feedback. The system now claims to suggest websites highly tailored to your browsing history, aiming to show you only what’s meaningful and useful in those fleeting glances at your Start menu.Quick recap if you're lost: the Recommended panel is that bit in the Start menu where Microsoft likes to "nudge" you to revisit apps, files, or websites you may have used recently—or worse, thinks you should use. In the past, this space has been criticized for occasionally serving up thinly disguised advertisements some users found intrusive and downright annoying.
In essence, this tweak relies on smarter algorithms to improve what gets surfaced. Microsoft suggests it’s about “giving you tools that matter,” which sounds good in theory. But here comes the controversial part—the Recommended feature is here to stay, and you’ve got no say in its eviction. That's right: no matter how much feedback users throw at Microsoft about turning it off completely, they've confirmed that this real estate isn't budging.
Why Can't We Simply Opt-Out?
This is where the love-hate relationship with the Recommended panel thickens. While Microsoft has emphasized its commitment to improving the relevance of these suggestions, the bigger question on many users' minds remains unanswered: Why can't I fully customize—or outright remove—it?For those who embrace these nudges, the Start menu serves as a personalized productivity hub. But for others, it feels like handing over too much control to Microsoft, as well as cluttering up precious interface real estate they’d prefer to curate themselves. Imagine having a table in your kitchen that continuously rearranges items without your approval—you didn’t put those bananas there; Microsoft did.
Part of the problem lies in execution. In prior iterations, the recommendations frequently felt generic, irrelevant, or outright out-of-touch. Throw in a historical peppering of ads masquerading as suggestions, and you’ve got some disgruntled users wondering if this isn’t all just a ploy to shove more Microsoft services down their throat.
The New Game Assist Feature: Tinkering with Edge in Gaming
Microsoft’s updates in Build 22635 reach beyond the Start menu, notably with the introduction of Game Assist, a feature exclusive to its Edge browser. Designed for gamers, it integrates a mini version of the browser into the Game Bar overlay, allowing quick access to guides, walkthroughs, or community threads without needing to “Alt+Tab” your way out of an intense boss fight.While cool in concept, it's hard to ignore that this promotes Edge as yet another sticky app Microsoft refuses to let go of. Convenient? Absolutely. But much like the Start menu discussion, some see this as a double-edged sword, with Microsoft embedding its ecosystem deeper into workflows where alternatives are better suited (or simply preferred).
Broader Implications for Windows 11 Users
Trend #1: Microsoft Is Betting Big on Built-in Personalization
Whether it’s AI in Bing or curated suggestions on Windows 11's home screen, Microsoft’s doubling down on integrated nudges across its ecosystem. Features like Recommended could become genuinely helpful tools over time, but they run the risk of alienating users who feel inundated with suggestions rather than empowered by them.It's worth noting that improving algorithm quality—which is emphasized in this build—is no small feat. The goal is to turn these nudges into “predictive helpers” where the system serves content at the right time without feeling overtly invasive. Think of it as Microsoft's attempt at predictive analytics but wrapped up in your daily operating system usage. This reveals a bigger trend: AI-backed personalization is Microsoft’s not-so-secret weapon in the OS arms race.
Trend #2: Dwindling User Control
Across the board, Microsoft seems unwilling to give users more manual control to turn off or heavily customize features like Start's Recommended panel. Instead, the company channels its resources into "improving" the very tools that some users simply wish they'd scrap. This signals a reluctance on Microsoft’s part to offer truly granular user autonomy.A core design philosophy of Windows has always been the balance between usability for regular users and customizability for power users. By locking down features like the Recommended panel, this balance tilts, leaving long-time tinkerers feeling handcuffed. Can this approach sustain the loyalty of Windows’s vast user base? Or will it alienate its most passionate advocates?
How to Take Charge of Recommended Suggestions (As Much As Possible)
While the Recommended section isn’t going anywhere, there are a few tweaks to reduce its clutter:- Hide Files or Suggestions: Right-click a non-useful entry in the Recommended panel and select Remove from List.
- Adjust Privacy Settings: Navigate to
Settings > Privacy & Security > Activity Historyto limit Windows’s snooping ability. Restrict how much access the OS has to your browsing history, which directly influences these recommendations.
Final Thoughts: Progress or Persistent Annoyance?
Let’s give credit where it’s due—Microsoft is clearly working to improve Windows 11’s personalization features, and the idea of showing “the highest quality sites” might win some fans. However, for many users, the fundamental issue isn’t about the quality of these nudges; it’s about the intrusion of having them at all.The inability to fully curate the Start menu remains a sore spot. A "smart" OS is only as good as its ability to listen to users—something Microsoft occasionally struggles with. Instead of forcing features into the limelight, why doesn’t Microsoft trust its users to decide whether nudges, ads, or visual clutter fit their workflow?
Here’s hoping future builds bring genuine flexibility for Start menu customization. Until then, we play the waiting game.
What do you think of Microsoft’s tweaks? Are these changes enough to redeem the Start menu’s clutter, or do you want to kick the Recommended panel to the curb? Drop your thoughts below—love it or hate it, let’s hear it.
Source: TechRadar Windows 11’s Start menu recommendations are being improved – but I’m still not impressed, Microsoft
