How to Customise the Windows 11 Start Menu to Show More Pinned Apps

When Microsoft debuted the centered, simplified Start menu in Windows 11, it divided the visual space equally into two distinct halves: a top section for “Pinned” application shortcuts and a large bottom section reserved for “Recommended” recent documents, downloads, and suggested apps. For millions of users who primarily launch software via Start rather than browsing recent files, this layout felt wasteful.

The large Recommended block frequently sits half-empty or displays clutter like one-off installer files and temporary text documents, pushing valuable pinned programs onto secondary pagination screens. Fortunately, Windows 11 includes built-in Start menu layout presets that allow you to maximize pinned app rows and reduce or hide the Recommended feed. This guide walks you through customising your Windows 11 Start menu.

Available Start Menu Layout Configurations

Windows 11 provides three distinct operational layouts under Personalization settings:

• Default: Offers a balanced 50/50 split with three rows of pinned apps and three rows of recommended files.
• More pins: Expands the top grid to four full rows of pinned apps, shrinking the Recommended section to a single compact line at the bottom.
• More recommendations: Enlarges the recent files feed to four rows, leaving only two rows of pinned icons.

Switching to the “More Pins” Layout in Settings

Reclaiming desktop space for your essential applications takes only a few clicks:

1. Press Windows + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app.
2. In the left-hand navigation sidebar, click on Personalisation.
3. Scroll down the right pane and click on Start.
4. Under the Layout heading, click on the preview card labelled More pins.
5. Press the Windows key to open your Start menu and observe the immediate expansion: your pinned grid now showcases 24 application tiles on a single screen without scrolling.

Hiding Recent and Recommended Files Completely

If you prefer an entirely private Start menu that never surfaces recently opened files:

1. Inside Settings > Personalisation > Start, locate the toggle switches beneath the layout cards:
   • Show recently added apps: Toggle off if you dislike newly installed tools appearing at the top.
   • Show most used apps: Toggle to your preference.
   • Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer: Toggle this to Off.
2. Your Recommended section will now remain completely blank.

Organising Pinned Apps into Folders

To store even more tools on your primary Start screen without clutter:

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Click and hold any application icon, then drag it directly on top of another app icon.
3. Release your mouse to create a Start menu folder.
4. Click to open the folder, click on the text box labelled “Edit name”, and assign a clear label (such as Office Suite or Design Tools).

Adding Quick Folder Shortcuts Beside the Power Button

You can pin instant shortcuts to Settings, File Explorer, Downloads, and Documents directly adjacent to the power button:

1. Navigate to Settings > Personalisation > Start > Folders.
2. Toggle on the icons you want anchored at the bottom (e.g. Settings, File Explorer, and Downloads).