How to Remove Recent Items from the Windows 11 Start Menu

 

How to Remove Recent Items from the Windows Start Menu

Windows 11 brings a new interface that focuses on users, with a Start menu that shows your recently accessed files and documents. While this can be convenient, it might not be what everyone wants in terms of privacy or preference. If you want to tidy up your Start menu or keep your recent activity confidential, here's how you can delete those recent items.

How to Remove Recent Items from the Windows 11 Start Menu

Simple Steps to Remove Recent Items from the Start Menu

Accessing the Settings

1. Right-click on the Start button.
2. Choose Settings from the context menu.

Navigating to Personalization

• In the Settings window, select Personalization on the sidebar.
• Click on Start to access Start menu settings.

Disabling Recent Items

1. Find the toggle for Show recently opened items in Start, Jump lists, and File Explorer.
2. Turn off this toggle.

By following these steps, you can stop your Start menu from showing your recent documents and files. This will give you a cleaner interface that respects your privacy.

Additional Considerations

The change also affects Jump lists and File Explorer, so recent items won’t appear there either.

If you change your mind, you can always turn the toggle back on to re-enable this feature.