Personalization Remove Recommended Section from Start Menu in Windows 11


Start_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to remove the Recommended section from the Start Menu for specific users or all users in Windows 11.

The Start menu in Windows 11 is comprised of three sections: Pinned, All apps, and Recommended.

The Recommended section on the Start menu shows a list of your recently added apps, recently opened items, and websites.

:doh: This will only work for Windows 11 Education (aka: "Windows 11 SE") and Enterprise editions. This does not include IoT Enterprise.


You must be signed in as an administrator to remove the Recommended section from the Start Menu.



Contents

  • Option One: Remove Recommended Section from Start Menu for All or Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Two: Remove Recommended Section from Start Menu for All Users using REG file


EXAMPLE: Add and Remove Recommended section on the Start Menu

Recommended_section_added_to_Start_Menu.png
Recommended_section_removed_from_Start_Menu.png





Option One

Remove Recommended Section from Start Menu for All or Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor


1 Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2 Navigate to the policy location below you want in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)

(All users)​
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

OR​

(Specific user or group)​
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

Remove_Recommended_section_from_Start_Menu_gpedit-1.png

3 In the right pane of Start Menu and Taskbar in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Remove Recommended section from Start Menu policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (add) or step 6 (remove) below for what you want.

5 Add Recommended Section to Start Menu

This is the default setting.


A) Select (dot) Not Configured. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.​

Remove_Recommended_section_from_Start_Menu_gpedit-2.png

6 Remove Recommended Section from Start Menu

A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.​

Remove_Recommended_section_from_Start_Menu_gpedit-3.png

7 Close the Local Group Policy Editor.

8 Either restart explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.




Option Two

Remove Recommended Section from Start Menu for All Users using REG file


1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.

2 Add Recommended Section to Start Menu for All Users

This is the default setting


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Add_Recommended_section_to_Start_Menu_for_all_users.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedSection"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedSection"=-

3 Remove Recommended Section from Start Menu for All Users

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Remove_Recommended_section_from_Start_Menu_for_all_users.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedSection"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedSection"=dword:00000001

4 Save the REG file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 Either restart explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

Attachments

Last edited:
@Brink

Response? (He/she didn't "mention" you.)
 

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  • Operating System
    11 Pro 24H2 26100.2454
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    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
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    i5-8400 @ 2.80GHz
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...is wrong it has to be plus +
That seems to me being pure nonsense. Why?
Because in registry files, dword is a command to make a 32 bit digital value.
A plus sign is not allowed there!

The minus is meant to switch off the user setting but it is replaced by the AllUsers command!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.4751
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Build by vendor to my specs
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
    Motherboard
    MSI PRO B550M-P Gen3
    Memory
    Kingston FURY Beast 2x16GB DIMM DDR4 2666 CL16
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GT 730 2GB LP V1
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S24E450F 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1. SSD Crucial P5 Plus 500GB PCIe M.2
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    Corsair CV650W
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    Cooler Master Silencio S400
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    Cooler Master Hyper H412R with Be Quiet Pure Wings 2 PWM BL038 fan
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    Cherry Stream (wired, scissor keys)
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    Asus WT465 (wireless)
    Internet Speed
    70 Mbps down / 80 Mbps up
    Browser
    Firefox 130.0
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    F-secure via Internet provider
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZBox 7490
    Oracle VirtualBox 7 for testing software on Win 10 or 11
Dear brink

you made a mistake:

here is the correct code to remove it from all user accounts:

your - is wrong it has to be plus +

Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedSection"=+

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedSection"=dword:00000001
Hello Nin, and welcome. :alien:

In addition to what Kees posted:

The REG files in the tutorial are indeed correct. The code below is to remove that value if there since the HKLM policy will override it.

Code:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedSection"=-
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Whatever statement you are posing here I don't want to argue with, because it is @Brink who is involved, not me.
Please only write in English language, as this forum is used everywhere in the world!

For other members I first translated your message into English:
There were over 200 people complaining about this registry file in the Computerbase forum because it didn't work. Also, you probably mixed up the add and remove files. In the Computerbase forum, why your file is wrong has been discussed on 32 forum websites.

Why else would so many people complain about your files if they were accurate?

The file you published as it stands now is incorrect.

Your interpretation of the 'correct' registry command is completely foolish. It would simply not function at all, because it is far away from correct syntax for a dword registry entry:
your - is wrong it has to be plus +

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedSection"=+
That should have been (if necessary):
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"HideRecommendedSection"=dword:00000001

PS. @Brink will probably react in about 6 hours, because at the time you wrote the message it's in the middle of the night for him.

PS2. It would be useful if you would post a link to the topic in the Computerbase-forum you are referring to!

Edit 1 hour after posting this answer:
@nin teosfgds did remove his answer completely, so my reaction to his now is rather useless. But because my reaction contains the original (translated) answer, I will leave it. It's up to @Brink to decide to remove all this rubbish!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.4751
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Build by vendor to my specs
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
    Motherboard
    MSI PRO B550M-P Gen3
    Memory
    Kingston FURY Beast 2x16GB DIMM DDR4 2666 CL16
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GT 730 2GB LP V1
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S24E450F 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1. SSD Crucial P5 Plus 500GB PCIe M.2
    2. SSD-SATA Crucial MX500-2TB
    PSU
    Corsair CV650W
    Case
    Cooler Master Silencio S400
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper H412R with Be Quiet Pure Wings 2 PWM BL038 fan
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream (wired, scissor keys)
    Mouse
    Asus WT465 (wireless)
    Internet Speed
    70 Mbps down / 80 Mbps up
    Browser
    Firefox 130.0
    Antivirus
    F-secure via Internet provider
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZBox 7490
    Oracle VirtualBox 7 for testing software on Win 10 or 11
In reponse to the OP, are we still SOL on this?

I'm currently using Power Start Menu to hide the reccomended (M.$ ads) section. A one time $5 extortion fee is not so bad but it is still wrong.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windroid 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-14900K Raptor Lake Refreshed 6.0 GHZ
    Motherboard
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi
    Memory
    32GB (2x16) GSKILL Trident Z5 RGB Series (Intel XMP 3.0) DDR5 RAM 6700MT/s
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 12GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek® ALC4080 Codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Monitor #1 Samsung Odyssey G50A WQHD G-Sync HDR10 Monitor #2 HP LA1911
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 and 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 PRO SSD 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe Gen 4 Gaming M.2 (150GB System / 850GB More Games)
    Crucial CT2000MX500SSD1 2TB (Games)
    Western Digital Green WD40EZRX 4TB (Data/Backup)
    Western Digital Blue WD60EZAZ 6TB (Storage)
    Western Digital Blue WD60EZAZ 6TB (Media)
    PSU
    Rosewill Hive-750S
    Case
    Cooler Master Elite 430 Mid Tower
    Cooling
    Cooler Master ML240L V2 Liquid CPU cooler + 3x120mm in + Isolated PSU Standard upward flow
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Elite White PS/2 (with usb adapter)
    Mouse
    Microsoft D67-00001 Trackball Optical Mouse (rebuilt with ceramic bearings)
    Internet Speed
    450Mb/s hard wired
    Browser
    Edge, FF, Tor
    Antivirus
    Win Def
    Other Info
    Razer Tartarus V2 Gaming Keypad
    Logitech Z-5500 5.1 THX 505w (Orignal 10" Sub with (Fr, Rr, Ctr) Polk Audio satellites
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-14900K Raptor Lake Refreshed 6.0 GHz FCLGA1700 (Gen 14)
    Motherboard
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi
    Memory
    32GB (2x16) GSKILL Trident Z5 RGB Series (Intel XMP 3.0) DDR5 RAM 6700MT/s
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3060Ti 8GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek® ALC4080 Codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Monitor #1 Samsung Odyssey G50A WQHD G-Sync HDR10 Monitor #2 Samsung TU7000 55" TV
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 and 3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 PRO SSD 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe Gen 4 Gaming M.2 (System)
    Samsung 980 PRO SSD 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe Gen 4 Gaming M.2 (Games)
    Crucial CT1000MX500SSD1 1TB (More Games)
    WD Green WD20EZRX 2TB (Data/Backup)
    WD Blue WD60EZAZ 6TB (Media)
    PSU
    Rosewill Hive-750S
    Case
    Cooler Master N400 NSE-400-KKN2 Mid-Tower
    Cooling
    Cooler Master ML240L V2 Liquid CPU cooler + 3x120mm in + 2x120mm + Isolated PSU Reverse flow front exhaust
    Mouse
    MSI G20 Elite and Logitech MK345 Wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK345 Wireless
    Internet Speed
    350Mb/s hard wired
    Browser
    FF
    Antivirus
    Win Def
    Other Info
    Razer Tartarus Gaming Keypad
    MSI GC30 Gaming Controller (Xbox style)
In reponse to the OP, are we still SOL on this?

I'm currently using Power Start Menu to hide the reccomended (M.$ ads) section. A one time $5 extortion fee is not so bad but it is still wrong.
I'm afraid so unless you either have an Education or Enterprise edition installed OR have a 3rd party Start Menu UI customization app installed that includes this feature.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Windhawk, which is a free UI customization platform, has a Start Menu add-on which can remove Recommended Apps or change its layout.

Unlike ExplorerPatcher, it favors breaking up the UI mods into separate modules so you can pick the ones you want.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Hi, does it work on IoT Enterprise LTSC? I have applied both Group Policy and the regedit file to no avail.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11, macOS Sonoma
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS H-410M
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10400F
    Motherboard
    ASUS H-410M
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX Radeon RX560 2GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    DELL UltraSharp 23 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 512GB SSD
    PSU
    EnLight 450W
    Case
    Techware silent case
    Cooling
    Techware
    Keyboard
    Keychron K3 gen 1
    Mouse
    Logitech G604
    Internet Speed
    100mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Also used for Hackintosh
Windhawk, which is a free UI customization platform, has a Start Menu add-on which can remove Recommended Apps or change its layout.

Unlike ExplorerPatcher, it favors breaking up the UI mods into separate modules so you can pick the ones you want.



I think you should make a separate topic about Windhawk, with examples of the most desired plugins. :-)


This may help to make the topic... pretty.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26100.3037 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦24H2 ♦♦♦non-Insider
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 4702)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 13 years?
Hi, does it work on IoT Enterprise LTSC? I have applied both Group Policy and the regedit file to no avail.
IoT Enterprise LTSC = doesn't work
Enterprise LTSC = works
 

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Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7

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