Windows 11’s New Start Menu: Hide Recommendations, But at a Cost

Windows 11 is rolling out a subtle yet significant update to its Start menu, giving users a long-requested option: the ability to hide the Recommended section. While this may sound like a small tweak, it has a ripple effect across the system, impacting recent files in File Explorer and jump lists on the taskbar. Microsoft’s approach shows progress in customization, yet also exposes lingering UX frustrations that highlight the delicate balance between simplicity and functionality.

Streamlining the Start Menu: What’s New

The latest update, included in Windows 11 KB5067036 (Build 26200.7019 / 26100.7019) or newer, introduces a toggle under Personalization > Start labeled “Show recommended files in Start, recent files in File Explorer, and items in Jump Lists.” This allows users to remove the Recommended feed from the Start menu, leaving only pinned and installed apps visible.

However, the toggle comes with a significant trade-off. Turning it off disables the recent activity engine entirely, affecting File Explorer’s Recent files and the jump lists when you right-click apps on the taskbar. Essentially, Windows stores all recent activity—including files, apps, and sites—in a single list. Disabling one disables all.

This design choice reflects a compromise in usability. While users can now hide recommendations in the Start menu, there’s currently no option to hide the Recommended section alone while keeping Recent files intact elsewhere. The lack of granularity frustrates users who want cleaner navigation without losing productivity features.

Rolling Out Slowly

The new Start menu is rolling out gradually. Users who don’t immediately see the update can either wait for Microsoft’s official Patch Tuesday release on November 11 or use an open-source tool to force-enable it. Microsoft has indicated that the rollout is slow, likely to test stability and compatibility before wider adoption.

Design and Layout Changes

The updated Start menu is noticeably taller, adapting dynamically based on screen space. On smaller screens, it can cover up to two-thirds of the display, requiring users to adjust scaling to make the layout manageable. Microsoft aims to complement this with a taller Search panel, addressing the visual mismatch between the menu and search interface. However, the transition between Start menu and Search still feels jarring, highlighting that adaptive design alone cannot solve all usability concerns.

The Missing Customization

Windows enthusiasts lament the lack of a manual resize option, a feature available in Windows 10. While the adaptive approach works for many, power users and productivity-focused individuals crave control over layout, size, and content visibility. The current toggle feels like a partial solution, improving aesthetics but limiting functional flexibility.

What Undercode Say:

Microsoft’s incremental approach to Start menu customization in Windows 11 reflects a broader challenge in UX design: balancing simplicity with control. On one hand, hiding the Recommended section simplifies the interface for casual users. On the other, it imposes an unintended cost for those who rely on recent files and jump lists for efficiency.

Technically, the linkage between the Recommended feed, Recent files, and jump lists is a logical design decision. Consolidating recent activity into a single engine reduces redundancy and ensures consistency across Windows features. However, this centralization comes at the cost of flexibility. Users can’t selectively hide elements without affecting related functionality, creating a tension between design purity and practical usability.

The adaptive height of the Start menu also reflects Microsoft’s push toward a more visually dynamic interface. By automatically expanding based on screen space, the menu caters to larger displays but can overwhelm smaller ones. This adaptive approach, combined with a taller Search panel, signals Microsoft’s intent to modernize the user experience. Yet, the lack of manual resizing and granular control leaves gaps in user satisfaction.

From a productivity perspective, the update demonstrates both promise and limitation. Simplifying the Start menu reduces cognitive load, but disabling the recent activity engine undermines workflows for users who heavily rely on File Explorer and jump lists. A potential solution would be adding filters or separate toggles for the Start menu, File Explorer, and jump lists, allowing users to tailor the system to their workflow without compromise.

In short, the update is a step forward in customization but not a complete solution. It highlights Microsoft’s ongoing tension between visual modernization and functional flexibility—a recurring theme in Windows 11’s design philosophy.

🔍 Fact Checker Results

✅ The new Start menu toggle hides the Recommended section.
✅ Disabling the toggle also affects Recent files in File Explorer and taskbar jump lists.
❌ There is currently no way to hide Recommended in Start while keeping Recent files active elsewhere.

📊 Prediction

Looking ahead, Microsoft may introduce more granular controls for recent activity, allowing users to manage Start menu recommendations independently from File Explorer and jump lists. Expect enhancements to manual resizing, adaptive layouts, and a more consistent Search interface. These changes could make Windows 11 more user-friendly, particularly for productivity-focused users who desire both simplicity and control. 🔧💻✨

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References:

Reported By: www.windowslatest.com
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