On Windows 11, you can now remove the Recent section in the Start menu entirely using Settings. Here’s how.
One of the biggest changes to the Start menu is that you can show or hide major parts of it via the Settings app. For instance, I’ve recently shown you how to hide the pinned section in the Start menu. In the same manner, you can now remove or hide the recent section in the Start menu. The good thing is that, unlike the option in the older version, which hides recent files in the Start menu, File Explorer, and jump lists, the new option only hides the entire recent section in the Start menu, without affecting other parts where access to recent files is useful.
In this quick Windows 11 guide, let me show you how to hide or remove the recent section. Let’s get started.
Steps to Remove or Hide the Recent Section in the Start Menu
- Open the Settings app using “Windows key + I“.
- Go to the “Personalization” > “Start” page.
- Turn OFF the “Recent” toggle under “Layout options”.
- With that, the Recent section in the Start menu is hidden/removed.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
As with most things, the first step is opening the Settings app. You can do that using the “Windows key + I” shortcut or by right-clicking the Start button on the taskbar and selecting “Settings”.
After the Settings window opens, go to the “Personalization” tab in the sidebar, then click the “Start” option in the right panel.
Now, under the “Layout options” section at the top, turn OFF the “Recent” toggle.
If you want, you can keep the Recent section but configure what it can and cannot show. For example, you can show or hide tips and recommendations, recent files, and recent apps. To configure that, click the “Recent” option (not the toggle) to expand it, then uncheck the checkboxes for items you don’t want to appear in the Start menu’s recent section.
That is it. It is that simple to hide the recent section in the Start menu on Windows 11. You can check it by opening the Start menu.
If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist.
