The Shifting Start Menu
The Windows 11 Start menu is divided into two primary sections: the “Pinned” section at the top, and the “Recommended” section at the bottom. The “Recommended” section is highly dynamic; Microsoft’s algorithms constantly analyze your activity to automatically populate this area with recently opened files, newly installed apps, and even tips or app promotions. If you prefer a static, predictable, and clean workspace, having half of your Start menu constantly changing its layout and contents based on what Windows thinks you want to see can be incredibly distracting and visually cluttered.
How to Minimize the Recommended Section
While Microsoft does not allow you to completely remove the “Recommended” section from the Start menu without using third-party hacking tools, you can disable its dynamic behavior and shrink it so it takes up as little space as possible.
1. Click the Start button and select the gear icon to open Settings (or press Windows Key + I).
2. In the left-hand navigation sidebar, click on Personalization.
3. In the main pane, click on Start.
4. At the top of the Start settings page, you will see a “Layout” section with three options: More pins, Default, and More recommendations. Click on More pins. This allocates the maximum physical space to your static pinned apps and visually shrinks the Recommended box.
5. Next, look further down the page for a series of toggle switches. Turn Off the following toggles:
- Show recently added apps
- Show most used apps
- Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer
- Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more
Once you apply these settings, open your Start menu. The bottom half will now be mostly empty space, but it will be static. It will no longer automatically reorganize or suggest files, giving you a much cleaner and more predictable Start menu experience.