By john 
The Recommended section of the Windows 11 Start menu shows recently added apps and recently opened files. If you find it cluttered or prefer more privacy, Windows 11 lets you reduce or effectively clear what appears there.
Windows 11 places a strong emphasis on personalization, giving you more ways than ever to shape how the system looks and behaves. Tailoring these settings is not just about appearance; a layout that matches YYKOIN how you work reduces friction and makes everyday tasks feel more natural. The change below is reversible, so you can experiment freely and settle on what suits you best.
Why This Is Worth Doing
Reducing recommended items gives you a cleaner Start menu and keeps recently opened files from being visible to anyone who opens the menu. This is useful on shared computers or simply for a tidier appearance.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps to get it done. Each one is straightforward, and you can stop once you have achieved what you need:
- Open Settings and go to Personalization > Start.
- Turn off Show recently added apps to hide new installations.
- Turn off Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer for privacy.
- Choose the More pins layout to shrink the recommended area as much as possible.
- Right-click individual items in the Recommended section and select Remove to clear them one at a time.
Helpful Tips
Keep these points in mind to get the most out of this feature and avoid common mistakes:
- The More pins layout minimizes the recommended area but cannot remove it entirely.
- Turning off recent items also clears them from File Explorer’s Home view.
- Re-enable these options anytime if you find the recommendations useful.
Good to Know
Windows 11 does not allow the Recommended section to be removed completely, but these settings shrink it and stop it from displaying your recent activity. The privacy toggle is especially worthwhile on shared machines.
Final Thoughts
This is one of the many small adjustments that make Windows 11 work better for the way you use your PC. Once you have set it up, it takes only moments and becomes second nature. If you do not see exactly the same options described here, your version of Windows 11 may be slightly different, since Microsoft updates the interface periodically; in that case, the relevant setting is usually nearby under the same section. Exploring the related settings around it often reveals other useful options worth adjusting at the same time. Taking a little time to configure your system the way you like it pays off every day you use your PC, turning a generic setup into one that genuinely fits your needs.