Remove Recommended Section From Start Menu

[Gray-F]

hi there I'm always frustrated when Microsoft don't make things easy for us the users but can u add a tweak to remove the recommended section from start menu saw a way via group policy (Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar​)

figured it well help since Microsoft make it harder for us to remove it.

[MagmaSlime123]

Already opened an issue for this, https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/winutil/issues/2037.

[MyDrift-user]

You can't remove the entire recommended section just from settings, reg edits ... as far as I've seen. Like that there will always be the Title and maybe even a message if you disable everything in settings.

The best way I've found to get around that is using 3rd party applications. Like the ones listed below;

• "WindHawk" with the "Windows 11 Start Menu Styler" mod found inside of it. (Often breaks Office apps, OBS Studio and more)
• "ExplorerPatcher"'s Disable Recommended Section under Start menu. (Use at own risk, can and will break stuff)
• Stardock "Start11", a paid app to modify start menu & taskbar, but did not break anything in my time using it.

[Real-MullaC]

I will look into this when I come back off holiday or @og-mrk will take a look.

[MagmaSlime123]

You can't remove the entire recommended section just from settings, reg edits ... as far as I've seen. Like that there will always be the Title and maybe even a message if you disable everything in settings.

The best way I've found to get around that is using the application "WindHawk" with the "Windows 11 Start Menu Styler" mod found inside of it.

I'd rather not install pointless software just to do 1 simple thing.

[MyDrift-user]

I'd rather not install pointless software just to do 1 simple thing.

It sadly isn't one "simple thing". If you have the Windows Education edition (SE) you can follow this article. If not and you prefer not to use a 3rd party application, you are most likely out of luck...

[Real-MullaC]

If that helped please close this issue.

[MyDrift-user]

/close

[joquiro85]

I could fix it with this option. (Last comment) https://www.elevenforum.com/t/cant-turn-off-recommended-on-start-menu.28433/

[MagmaSlime123]

I could fix it with this option. (Last comment) https://www.elevenforum.com/t/cant-turn-off-recommended-on-start-menu.28433/

Have WinUtil automate that then.

[MyDrift-user]

that actually works, nice :)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\current\device\Start]
"HideRecommendedSection"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\current\device\Education]
"IsEducationEnvironment"=dword:00000001

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

/reopen

I have a PR opened that simplified the logic for the toggles. It is almost finished. After it gets merged I'll add it as a toggle if noone else has done it.