Disable Suggested Apps in Windows 10 Start Menu

This guide shows you how to remove the “Suggested” app tiles that Microsoft occasionally places in the Windows 10 Start menu. These tiles are promotional content, and turning them off is a simple settings change that takes less than a minute. No administrative rights or third-party tools are required.

What You’ll Need

• A PC running Windows 10 (any edition, including Home).
• Access to the Settings app (available to all user accounts).

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Start menu by clicking the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of your screen, or by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Click the gear icon (Settings) located in the lower-left side of the Start menu. Alternatively, press Windows + I to open Settings directly.
3. In the Settings window, click on Personalization.
4. From the left sidebar, select Start.
5. Look for the toggle labeled “Show suggestions occasionally in Start”. It is usually the first option under the “Start” section.
6. Click the toggle to switch it to Off. The toggle will turn gray and move to the left.
7. Close the Settings window. The suggested apps will no longer appear in your Start menu. Existing suggested tiles that are already pinned may remain until you manually unpin them.
8. To remove any existing suggested tiles, right-click on the tile and select “Unpin from Start”.

Common Mistakes

• Turning off the wrong toggle: Some users confuse “Show suggestions occasionally in Start” with “Show recently added apps” or “Show most used apps.” Those toggles control your own app list, not promotional suggestions. Make sure you are on the correct one.
• Not checking the Start menu after the change: The setting takes effect immediately, but if you have the Start menu open, you may need to close and reopen it to see the change.
• Assuming the setting removes already-pinned tiles: The toggle only prevents new suggestions from appearing. Any suggested tile that was already pinned to your Start menu will remain until you manually unpin it.

Tips

• If you want to keep your Start menu completely clean, also consider turning off “Show recently added apps” and “Show most used apps” under the same Start settings page. This will hide your own recently installed apps and frequently used apps, giving a more minimal layout.
• You can also unpin individual tiles by right-clicking them and choosing “Unpin from Start.” This works for any tile, not just suggestions.
• If you prefer a full-screen Start menu, enable the toggle “Use Start full screen” on the same page. This can make it easier to manage your tiles.
• After disabling suggestions, you may still see occasional “tips” in the Start menu (like “Did you know?”). To turn those off, go to Settings > System > Notifications & actions and uncheck “Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows.”

Troubleshooting

If the suggested apps still appear after you have followed the steps above, try the following:

• Restart your PC: A simple restart can refresh the Start menu and apply the setting.
• Check for Windows updates: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click “Check for updates.” Install any pending updates, as Microsoft occasionally changes how suggestions are controlled.
• Run the Start menu troubleshooter: In Windows 10, you can run a built-in troubleshooter by going to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot, selecting “Start menu” from the list, and clicking “Run the troubleshooter.” This can fix corrupted Start menu settings.
• Check Group Policy (only for Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise): If you are on a Pro or Enterprise edition, a group policy might be forcing suggestions. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar. Look for a policy named “Remove suggestions from the Start menu” and ensure it is set to “Not Configured” or “Disabled.” If it is “Enabled,” set it to “Not Configured” and restart.
• If all else fails: Some users report that the setting resets after a feature update. Re-check the toggle after major Windows updates and turn it off again if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling suggestions affect other features?

No. Turning off “Show suggestions occasionally in Start” only hides promotional app tiles. It does not affect your ability to install apps, search, or use the Start menu normally.

Why do I still see suggested apps after turning off the toggle?

The toggle prevents new suggestions, but any suggested tile already pinned to your Start menu will remain. You need to right-click each tile and select “Unpin from Start” to remove them.

Does this setting apply to all user accounts on my PC?

No. The setting is per-user. Each user account on the PC will need to turn off the toggle individually if they want to disable suggestions.

Can I disable suggestions without using the Settings app?

Yes, but it is more complex. You can use the Group Policy Editor (Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise) or edit the registry. The Settings method is the safest and easiest for most users.

Will Windows re-enable suggestions after an update?

Occasionally, a major Windows feature update may reset some settings. After updating, check the toggle again and turn it off if it has been re-enabled.

Are suggested apps harmful?

No. They are simply promotional tiles for apps that Microsoft thinks you might like. They are not malware and do not install anything unless you click on them and choose to install. Disabling them is purely a cosmetic preference.

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