How to have an empty Windows 11 Start Menu "Recommended" section after signing in for the first

Discussion in 'Windows 11' started by Windows 10 User, Aug 11, 2024.

  1. Windows 10 User

    Windows 10 User MDL Guru

    Feb 2, 2017
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    #1 Windows 10 User, Aug 11, 2024
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2024
    How to have an empty Windows 11 (Pro's) Start Menu "Recommended" section right after signing in to a Windows 11 user account for the first time, I mean, without having to manually remove each app which appears in the Start Menu's Recommended section right after signing in to a Windows 11 user account for the first time as well as without having to manually remove each app which appears in the Start Menu's Recommended section I manually installed afterwards?
     
  2. Errepublika

    Errepublika MDL Senior Member

    Aug 18, 2021
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    Configuration > Customization > Startup
     
  3. Windows 10 User

    Windows 10 User MDL Guru

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    #3 Windows 10 User, Aug 11, 2024
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2024
    (OP)
    Already did. It stayed the same and I guess that only goes for apps and programs installed after installing Windows 11. It doesn't make an empty "Recommended" section right after installing Windows 11.
     
  4. Errepublika

    Errepublika MDL Senior Member

    Aug 18, 2021
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    Check this option

    This Team > Options >
    upload_2024-8-11_19-7-10.png
     
  5. Windows 10 User

    Windows 10 User MDL Guru

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    Already did but what does that have to do with this issue? I have it with those settings checked and unchecked.
     
  6. Errepublika

    Errepublika MDL Senior Member

    Aug 18, 2021
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    Because from there you also remove the Recommended files.
     
  7. Windows 10 User

    Windows 10 User MDL Guru

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    #7 Windows 10 User, Aug 11, 2024
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2024
    (OP)
    How? That only affects File Explorer, not the Start Menu.
     
  8. 12 lb Turkey

    12 lb Turkey MDL Member

    Nov 24, 2022
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    Code:
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
    "HideRecentlyAddedApps"=dword:00000001
    "HideRecommendedPersonalizedSites"=dword:00000001
    
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
    "Start_IrisRecommendations"=dword:00000000
    
     
  9. Windows 10 User

    Windows 10 User MDL Guru

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    What do I do with that?
     
  10. °ツ

    °ツ MDL Addicted

    Jun 8, 2014
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    You can disable it on Enterprise version of Windows but on Pro you can't.
    So better upgrade to Enterprise and disable it.

    Code:
    reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer" /v "HideRecommendedSection" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
     
  11. 12 lb Turkey

    12 lb Turkey MDL Member

    Nov 24, 2022
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    My mistake, I assumed you were smarter based on your posting volume.

    Code:
    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
    
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
    "HideRecentlyAddedApps"=dword:00000001
    "HideRecommendedPersonalizedSites"=dword:00000001
    
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
    "Start_IrisRecommendations"=dword:00000000
    
     
  12. Windows 10 User

    Windows 10 User MDL Guru

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    #14 Windows 10 User, Aug 11, 2024
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2024
    (OP)
    I stopped using the Enterprise edition and I don't want to disable the "Recommended" section, only make it empty, because apparently it's not possible to remove it on Pro like it is on Enterprise, as you said.

    What about you? You post a lot and you were never able to help me. You make a mistake and then it's me who's not smart? I tried that and this time I didn't have an error but I still have the "Recommended" section filled with items. You're really smart.
     
  13. 12 lb Turkey

    12 lb Turkey MDL Member

    Nov 24, 2022
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    100 posts and counting. Wow, might take me 7 years to reach you at 1944...

    If you haven't learned by now, (modern) reg files require the same header line. It's normal for experienced users to drop that line on a short reply.
     
  14. Windows 10 User

    Windows 10 User MDL Guru

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    #16 Windows 10 User, Aug 12, 2024
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2024
    (OP)
    You're one to talk, especially when you have 6 pages of posts and you joined this forum on November 24, 2022.

    Did you even read what I posted? I said I didn't have an error when running you're second REG file but it didn't work since I still have the "Recommended" section filled with items. You're not even paying attention to what I'm saying. It doesn't matter if you're an "experienced user" when you don't even read what others say.

    EDIT: It seems NTLite is the culprit. I disabled "Show recently added apps" in it and although the setting is disabled, apps still appear and I'm not allowed to turn it on. I tried not to mess with this setting and to manually turn it off after installing Windows 11 and apps stopped appearing on the "Recommended" section. It looks like I have no choice but to manually turn off "Show recently added apps" every time I install Windows 11 thanks to NTLite and because of that, even before I start installing apps, Get Started already shows up there. Also, Windows 11 automatically installs others apps regarding my hardware which also show up there and so I have no choice but to have apps on the "Recommended" section after signing in to a Windows 11 user account for the first time.
     
  15. MG86

    MG86 MDL Junior Member

    Jul 26, 2024
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    Mount image offline, search, and remove all files with .log1, .log2, .blf, and .regtrans extensions. Remove start2.bin. Use CCleaner with a custom WinApp2.ini + WinApp3.ini and PrivaZer. I am not sure which one does it, but combinaiton of all that gets rid of what you want. You have to customize WinApp2.ini with entries from WinApp3.ini or else some thing will break. I think the most important one for you is CCleaner WinApp3.ini's "Start Menu" from "Dangerous List".
     
  16. Windows 10 User

    Windows 10 User MDL Guru

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    Too hard and what does that make, an empty "Recommended" section after signing in to a Windows 11 user account for the first time?