How I Customized the Windows Start Menu by Eliminating “All” and “Recommended” Sections

For many users, the Start Menu can feel overwhelming, filled with a plethora of items that can obscure the essentials. I have chosen to curate my Start Menu to feature only the items I truly need. If you’re aiming for a more refined and personal workspace, here’s a guide on how to streamline your Start Menu by eliminating the “Recommended” and “All” sections.

The Importance of Removing the “All” and “Recommended” Sections

The primary function of the Start Menu for me is to efficiently access my files and favorite applications. I prefer to pin frequently used apps for quick access and rely on the Search bar for everything else. The “All” and “Recommended” sections are not beneficial to my usage, and here’s why:

The “All” section lists every app and program on the system. While it seems helpful for exploration, I’ve found it impractical; once I’ve browsed through it, I rarely, if ever, return to access an application. There are far quicker alternatives for app access than sifting through a lengthy list.
The “Recommended” section is populated with recently used apps and files, which changes dynamically based on your interactions. This inconsistency hampers my ability to develop a routine for quick access. Additionally, Microsoft’s inserted app suggestions further clutter this section with undesired recommendations.

The minimal advantages they offer do not outweigh the clutter they create, often turning the Start Menu into a lengthy scrollable panel. There’s also a significant concern regarding privacy; as these sections display recent activities, they can expose personal data in public or shared settings.

How to Remove the “Recommended” Section from the Windows Start Menu

The “Recommended” section is customizable via Windows Settings, and you can control what it displays. However, if you remove all displayed items, it disappears entirely. Follow these steps:

Navigate to Windows Settings and access Personalization → Start. Disable the following settings:

Show recently added apps
Show recommended files in Start
Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more
Show websites from your browser history

Disabling Recommended Section in Windows 11

Once you have disabled these settings, the Recommended section will promptly vanish from your Start Menu.

Steps to Remove the “All” Section from the Windows Start Menu

Contrarily, the “All” section cannot be removed directly through Windows Settings. To eliminate it, you’ll need to modify the Windows Registry. Please remember:

Warning: Back up the Windows Registry before making alterations, as improper changes can destabilize your system.

To proceed, open the Windows Registry and navigate to the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

If the Explorer folder is nonexistent, right-click on the Policies folder, choose New → Key, and name the new key Explorer.

Next, select the Explorer folder, right-click in the right panel, and select New → DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name this new value NoStartMenuMorePrograms. Double-click on it to edit, and set its value to 1.

DWORD value for removing All section in Start Menu

This action should promptly eliminate the “All” section from the Start Menu. If it does not disappear, a restart of the File Explorer may be necessary.

If you prefer not to make Registry changes manually, using a PowerShell command can perform the task for you. Open PowerShell as an administrator and run the following command:

$path = "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer"; if (-not (Test-Path $path)) { New-Item -Path $path -Force }; New-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name "NoStartMenuMorePrograms" -Value 1 -PropertyType DWORD -Force

By following these steps to remove the “Recommended” and “All” sections, you can condense your Start Menu to only display your pinned applications and the Search bar, effectively doubling the number of apps you can pin without cluttering your view with scrollbars.

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