How to hide recently accessed files and folders in the Windows 11 Start menu Start

By default, whenever you click on the Start menu in Windows 11, you will immediately see an area called " Recommended ". This area includes a list of files and folders you have opened recently on the system.

Overall, this is a pretty useful feature, allowing you to quickly access your familiar folders from the Start menu. However, showing such details of recently accessed files and folders can also compromise privacy in some cases. Here's how to turn it off.

First, open the Settings menu by clicking the gear icon in the Start menu or pressing the Windows + i key combination .

How to hide recently accessed files and folders in the Windows 11 Start menu Start Picture 1

In the Settings window, look to the list of options on the left and click on ' Personalization '. A list of corresponding options will show up on the right, scroll down and select ' Start '.

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In the ' Start ' settings, tap the switch to the right of ' Show recently opened items in Start, Jump lists, and File Explorer ' to switch it back to ' Off '.

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Now close the Settings window. The next time you open the Start menu, you will no longer see your list of recent files displayed in the ' Recommended ' section.

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Isabella Humphrey

Update 03 July 2021