How to hide recent files and folders in Windows 11 start menu

Situatie

By default, whenever you click the Start menu in Windows 11, you’ll see a “Recommended” section that includes a list of files and folders you’ve opened recently. Here’s how to turn that off.

Solutie

First, open Settings. You can find it pinned to the Start menu and click the gear icon, or you can press Windows+i on your keyboard to bring it up.

Click "Settings" in the Windows 11 Start menu.

In Settings, locate the sidebar and click “Personalization.” In the options on the right side of the window, scroll down and select “Start.”

In Windows 11 Settings, click "Personalization," then "Start."

In “Start” settings, set the switch beside “Show recently opened items in Start, Jump lists, and File Explorer” to “Off.”

In Start settings, set the switch beside "Show recently opened items in Start, Jump lists, and File Explorer" to "Off."

Now, close Settings. The next time you open the Start menu, you won’t see your recent files in the “Recommended” section anymore.

A Windows 11 start menu with no recently opened files under "Recommended."

Tip solutie

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