Enable or Disable Recently Added Apps in Windows 11
Recently added apps in Windows 11 are new programs that automatically appear in the Recommended section of your Start menu as soon as you install them. Windows highlights these fresh downloads so you can spot and launch them right away without hunting through your full app list.
You can turn this feature on or off in a few clicks if you prefer a cleaner Start menu . Managing this setting lets you control what shows up on your screen every time you open the menu.
Go to Settings Personalization Start. Toggle “Show recently added apps” to enable or disable this feature in the Start menu ’s Recommended section. This setting controls whether new installations are highlighted.
How to turn on or off recently added apps in the Start menu, recommended section, or jump lists in 🪟 Windows 11
Remember, Windows tracks recent activities like files and folders you’ve opened, and recently added apps for the Start menu ’s Recommended section and Jump Lists.
The quickest way to remove recently added apps is to right-click the recently installed apps under the Recommended section and select Remove from the list.
The main Settings app provides a quick toggle for this exact behavior. The steps below show you how.
Windows 11 centralizes most of its configuration screens. Managing everything from system setups to new user profiles happens within the System Settings pane.
To access System Settings, use the Windows key + I shortcut. Alternatively, click Start ==> Settings, as shown in the image below:
Another option involves using the search box on the taskbar. Type "Settings" and then select it to open the app.
Your Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. Inside the Windows Settings app, click Personalization on the left side.
On the right side, select the Start tile to expand its options.
On the System -> Personalization -> Start settings panel, toggle the button switch for "Show recently added apps" to the On position to enable it.
To disable this feature, toggle the switch button back to the Off position.
Customizing this setting keeps your Start menu clean and tailored to how you work.
- Enabling or disabling the "Show recently added apps" feature in Windows 11 can help customize the Start menu based on individual preferences.
- Accessing the Windows Settings app and navigating to the Start settings panel provides a straightforward method to toggle this feature on or off.
- Following the steps outlined in this article, users can effectively manage the display of recently added apps in the Start menu, improving their overall Windows 11 experience.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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