How to Permanently Remove Recent Files from Windows 11 Start Menu

Already upgraded to Windows 11? If yes then you must be loving the new interface on Windows 11. It comes with a major UI overhaul which is designed to make the computer and user interaction better. But there are a few changes that could have been better, and Windows 11 start menu is one of them. Yes, there is a suggestion section in the Windows 11 start menu that shows recent files and folders. And if you also don’t like seeing your recent files, check out how to remove or hide recent files in Windows 11 Start Menu.

Windows 11 insider build is now available and soon the stable version will release to the public. It brings almost all the features of Windows 11 including the new Start Menu. As you know the Windows 11 now has a centered taskbar it gives more space for the start menu to be symmetrical. No wonder that the new Start Menu looks cool and even many users can’t wait to try Windows 11 because of the new UI.

How to Remove Recent Files from Windows 11 Start Menu

After using Windows 11 for at least a week, I can say the performance really improved including the battery performance. And the main contribution to this change is the new centered UI and new animations. It includes the new Windows 11 start menu. The Windows 11 feels minimal which most of the users prefer. But not everything we are going to like because the preference can vary according to users.

How to Hide Recent files from Start Menu in Windows 11

Start Menu in the Windows 11 is the first change you are going to notice, in which now we get two sections Pinned and Recommended. The pinned section contains all your apps and newly installed apps will also be added here. It is a useful tab as we can easily find any apps available on our PC.

We can’t say the same thing about the recommended section because it shows recently opened files and folders. This can be annoying at times if the recommended section is filled with the same type of files. And so many of you may want to remove recent files from the Windows 11 start menu. And so, we are here with the guide.

It would have been great if we could choose what type of files, we want to show in the Recommended section under Windows 11 start menu. But it shows literally all files. Fortunately, Windows 11 comes with the option to hide recent files in the Windows 11 start menu. It is easy but as Windows 11 is new you may not be aware of all Settings. So, let’s see how to remove recent folders from Windows 11 start menu. This method will remove recent files permanently from the start menu until you revert the settings.

Steps to Remove Recent Files from Windows 11 Start Menu

  1. Open the Start Menu on your Windows 11 PC.
  2. You will find many apps including Settings, click on the Settings icon to open it.
  3. Under Settings, you will see many different options, open the Personalization tab.
    How to Hide Recent files from Start Menu in Windows 11
  4. Now from personalization, look for Start and open it.
    How to Hide Recent files from Start Menu in Windows 11
  5. In the Start settings, all you need to do is turn off “Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer”.
    How to Remove Recent Files from Windows 11 Start Menu
  6. From now on, when you open the Windows 11 start menu, recent files will not appear.
  7. You can also try out other settings available in Start settings that directly affect the Windows 11 start menu.

So that’s all you have to do in order to get rid of recent files and folders from the recommended section in the Windows 11 start menu. Some users may like the feature but for some, it can be frustrating to see the same type of files recommended. Another reason to remove recent files from Windows 11 start menu is to make it look cleaner.

There you have the complete guide on how to hide recent files from Start Menu in Windows 11. If you don’t like the recommended section in the start menu, now you know how to get rid of them. In case if you have any queries, let us know in the comment section.

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Ashutosh singh

Computer Science graduate and tech enthusiast. Love testing new tech gadgets ever since my first windows phone from Samsung. Working as a technical writer for more than five years, and I believe I have also developed good SEO skills. In my spare time, I like watching movies, and playing games.

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