The Windows 11 Start menu features a simplified, modern design divided into two main sections: Pinned apps at the top, and “Recommended” files at the bottom. By default, if you click the “All apps” button to view your full software library, Windows places a “Recently added” section at the very top of the list. This highlights any new software you have installed in the last few days. While this can occasionally be useful for quickly finding a new program, many users prefer a strict, uninterrupted alphabetical list of their applications. If you want a cleaner Start menu, you can easily hide the Recently Added list.
How to Hide the Recently Added Apps List
You can turn off this feature directly from the Windows 11 Settings app.
- Click the Start button on your taskbar, then click the gear icon to open Settings. (Alternatively, press the Windows key + I on your keyboard).
- In the left-hand sidebar of the Settings app, click on Personalization.
- In the main window, scroll down and click on the Start section.
- Look for the toggle switch labelled Show recently added apps.
- Click the toggle switch to move it to the Off position.
The Result
The change is instantaneous; you do not need to restart your computer.
Now, when you open the Start menu and click “All apps,” the list will immediately begin at the letter ‘A’ (or a numeric symbol, depending on your installed software). The clutter at the top of the menu is gone, restoring a classic, strictly alphabetical sorting method to your software library.