The redesigned Windows 11 Start Menu divides its space into two primary sections: your Pinned applications at the top, and a prominent Recommended area occupying the bottom half. By default, the Recommended section automatically displays recently opened Word documents, images, web downloads, and newly installed programs. While intended for quick access, many users find this section visually cluttered or worry about revealing sensitive personal files when opening the Start Menu in front of colleagues.
Why Customise or Clear the Recommended Section?
Adjusting the Recommended section gives you greater control over your desktop workspace and personal privacy:
- Presentation Privacy: Prevents confidential spreadsheets, client invoices, or personal downloads from appearing on screen during screen shares and projector meetings.
- Maximise Pinned Space: Allows you to expand the Pinned apps layout so you can organise dozens of favourite applications into view without scrolling.
- Distraction-Free Desktop: Cleans up the Start Menu interface, returning it to a neat, predictable launcher.
How to Clear Recent Files and Recommended Items
You can turn off tracking for recently added apps and opened documents directly from Personalisation settings.
- Open the Start menu and click the Settings gear icon (or press Windows Key + I).
- In the left-hand sidebar, click on Personalisation.
- Scroll down the main window and select Start.
- Turn off the following toggle switches according to your preferences:
- Show recently added apps: Prevents newly installed software from surfacing automatically.
- Show most used apps: Hides frequently launched programs.
- Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer: Stops documents, photos, and files from listing in the Recommended section.
- Close the Settings app and open your Start Menu. The Recommended pane will now be completely empty.
How to Shrink the Recommended Section to Give More Room to Pins
While Windows 11 does not permit completely removing the Recommended header in standard home editions, you can shrink its footprint to a single small row:
- Navigate back to Settings > Personalisation > Start.
- At the very top of the page under the Layout options, choose More pins.
- Selecting More pins adds an extra full row of pinned app icons while collapsing the Recommended section down to a discreet two-line footer.
How to Remove Individual Items from the Recommended List
If you prefer keeping the Recommended feature enabled for general convenience but want to purge a single sensitive file, you can remove individual items selectively:
- Click the Start button to open the menu.
- Right-click on any document or application listed under the Recommended heading.
- Select Remove from list. The item will disappear immediately without deleting the actual file from your computer.