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A New Era for the Windows Start Menu Experience
Microsoft has finally taken a big step toward giving users more control over their Start menu experience in Windows 11. After years of feedback and frustration, a long-awaited option is being rolled out that allows users to fully remove the “Recommended” section from the Start menu — a cluttered space that many found distracting and unnecessary. With Build 26120.4250 or newer, users can now easily disable this feature through a simple settings toggle. This update comes as part of a broader Start menu redesign that not only improves layout but also enhances the functionality and personalization of one of Windows’ most central UI components.
Major Improvements in Windows 11 Start Menu (Overview)
Microsoft is introducing a substantial overhaul to the Windows 11 Start menu, aiming to provide a cleaner and more personalized experience. One of the most requested changes — the option to remove the “Recommended” section — is now officially rolling out to testers running Windows 11 Build 26120.4250 and higher. Users can navigate to Settings > Personalization > Start and simply toggle off the option labeled “Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more.” Once disabled, the Start menu will display only the Pinned and All apps sections, significantly reducing visual clutter. This design change makes better use of screen real estate, particularly for users with larger displays. The Start menu will also feature a new single-page layout with categorized apps, providing better accessibility and visual hierarchy.
Historically, Windows 11 offered limited ways to declutter the Start menu. While it was possible to remove some recent files and activity-based suggestions, users had no direct control over the Recommended section. Even when selecting the “More pins” layout, the lower half of the menu would still be consumed by unwanted suggestions.
For users still on Windows 11 version 23H2 — which will reach end-of-support on November 11, 2025 — this option is not natively available. Instead, a registry editing workaround is necessary. This method requires creating a .reg file with specific code to disable the section, along with system backup measures to avoid configuration issues. Although more technical, this solution offers a temporary path to a cleaner Start menu until users transition to the newer 24H2 build.
In short, Microsoft is finally aligning its UI design with what many users have long requested: a simplified, user-first Start menu. While there are still more requests on the table — like moving the taskbar — the removal of Recommended content is a promising move in the right direction.
What Undercode Say:
User-Centered Design Finally Wins
Microsoft has long maintained a design approach that balances innovation with legacy support, but the persistent inclusion of the Recommended section felt like a stubborn holdover that ignored user preference. With this change, Microsoft is finally putting customization and user autonomy first — a move that aligns well with modern UX principles.
Start Menu Simplification and Productivity
The simplification of the Start menu is more than a cosmetic update. Removing distractions can lead to a smoother, more efficient user experience. Especially for power users and professionals, the ability to remove non-essential content enhances task focus and reduces decision fatigue when navigating the OS.
Technical vs. Non-Technical Users
The rollout of this feature in version 24H2 highlights a gap between users who keep their systems updated and those who lag behind. For those still on 23H2, the only option is registry editing — a process that can intimidate non-technical users. This limitation reveals Microsoft’s partial reliance on power users to handle gaps in feature parity between builds.
Registry Hack: Practical but Risky
While the registry workaround works well for now, it brings inherent risks. If misused, registry modifications can destabilize system behavior. Microsoft’s future focus should include providing GUI-based toggles for most features across all supported versions to ensure safer accessibility.
Visual Balance and Functional Utility
The new single-page layout not only provides a cleaner look but also improves navigation by categorizing apps more effectively. This redesign, paired with the ability to turn off recommendations, makes the Start menu more aligned with how people actually use it — to quickly access apps, not sift through suggestions.
A Win for Enterprise Environments
In professional and educational settings, administrators often seek to lock down unnecessary UI elements. The ability to hide Recommended items through policy keys is particularly helpful for schools and businesses aiming to streamline their systems. These changes support greater uniformity in managed device environments.
Broader UX Implications
Microsoft’s shift here signals a broader trend toward giving users modular control over core OS elements. The more Microsoft enables customization, the more likely users are to feel empowered — a crucial factor in platform loyalty as competition from macOS and Linux continues to grow.
Momentum for Future Features
With this win, Microsoft now faces renewed pressure to address other long-requested changes, such as taskbar repositioning and greater Start menu layout flexibility. If they continue listening to user feedback, they could significantly improve overall user satisfaction.
Missed Opportunity for 23H2 Support
Although the registry hack helps, Microsoft missed a chance to backport the toggle option into 23H2. Doing so would have earned greater goodwill from users who prefer stability over frequent updates but still want customization.
Conclusion: Progress With Caveats
The ability to fully disable Start menu recommendations represents meaningful progress. It improves usability, respects user preferences, and lays the groundwork for future OS enhancements. However, fragmented support between versions and the lack of a universal GUI solution show there’s still room for refinement.
🔍 Fact Checker Results:
✅ The toggle to remove Recommended section is officially available in Build 26120.4250 and newer
✅ Users on 23H2 must still rely on registry editing to remove the section
✅ The redesigned Start menu includes categorized app views and a taller single-page layout
📊 Prediction:
With strong user feedback driving UI updates,
References:
Reported By: www.windowslatest.com
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