How to Disable Windows 11 Start Menu Recommended Section and Ads

What Causes This?

Windows 11 shows the Recommended section in Start by default to surface recently opened files, newly installed apps, tips, and Microsoft promotional content. Some of these suggestions come from privacy and personalization settings, while others are built into the Start menu layout itself. In short, even on a clean PC, Windows enables these features unless you turn them off manually.

Common Symptoms

• The Start menu shows a Recommended area you do not want
• Recently opened files or apps keep appearing in Start
• Windows suggests apps, tips, or Microsoft services in the Start menu
• Promotional content or “helpful” suggestions keep coming back after updates
• The Start menu feels cluttered even after uninstalling apps

How to Fix It Manually

1. Turn off Start menu recommendations

   1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
   2. Go to Personalization > Start.
   3. Turn off these options:
      • Show recently added apps
      • Show most used apps
      • Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer
   4. This reduces most of the content shown in the Recommended section.

2. Show more pinned apps and less Recommended content

   1. In Settings > Personalization > Start, find Layout.
   2. Select More pins.
   3. This does not fully remove Recommended on all versions of Windows 11, but it shrinks its space and makes Start less cluttered.

3. Disable Windows tips, suggestions, and promotional content

   1. In Settings, go to System > Notifications.
   2. Scroll down and click Additional settings.
   3. Uncheck:
      • Show the Windows welcome experience after updates and when signed in to show what’s new and suggested
      • Suggest ways to get the most out of Windows and finish setting up this device
      • Get tips and suggestions when using Windows
   4. These settings help stop Microsoft from pushing extra prompts and ads across Windows.

4. Turn off personalized ads in Windows

   1. In Settings, go to Privacy & security > General.
   2. Turn off:
      • Let apps show me personalized ads by using my advertising ID
      • Optional: disable other suggestion-related toggles on this page if you want less tracking and fewer recommendations.

5. Clear recent items already shown in Start

   1. Open Settings > Personalization > Start.
   2. Turn off Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer.
   3. Then open File Explorer.
   4. Click the three dots on the command bar and choose Options.
   5. Under the General tab, in Privacy, click Clear.
   6. This removes much of the recent file history that feeds Start recommendations.

6. Restart Windows Explorer if Start does not update

   1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
   2. Find Windows Explorer under Processes.
   3. Right-click it and choose Restart.
   4. Reopen the Start menu and check whether the changes took effect.

7. Keep expectations realistic

   1. On many Windows 11 builds, Microsoft does not allow you to completely remove the Recommended section through normal settings.
   2. You can usually disable its content, reduce its size, and stop most ads and suggestions, but the section itself may still remain visible.

Fix It Automatically with Kudu

Kudu can detect Windows personalization, recommendation, and ad-related settings that make the Start menu feel cluttered, then apply the cleaner configuration for you automatically. It saves time, especially if you want to reduce Start menu noise without digging through multiple Settings pages.

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