Remove Suggested Apps From Start Menu

To remove suggested apps from the Start menu in Windows 10 and Windows 11, right-click the app tile and select “Unpin from Start” or “Don’t show in this list.” For a more permanent solution, you can disable the tips and suggestions feature entirely through the Settings app or Group Policy Editor. This guide explains all the methods, how they differ, and what each one actually does.

Why Windows Shows Suggested Apps

Microsoft uses the Start menu to promote apps from the Microsoft Store, as well as to highlight features like “Tips” or “Get Started.” These suggestions appear as tiles or list items, often labeled with a small “New” badge or a folder icon. The behavior is part of the operating system’s built-in advertising and onboarding system, which is enabled by default on consumer editions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. It is not a virus or a sign of malware, and it does not mean the apps are installed—many suggestions are just shortcuts that, when clicked, open the Store page for that app.

On Windows 10, suggestions typically appear in the “Recently added” section or as individual tiles in the right-hand column. On Windows 11, they appear in the “Recommended” section at the bottom of the Start menu, mixed with recently opened files and apps. The exact behavior and the ability to disable it vary by Windows version and edition (Home, Pro, Enterprise).

Method 1: Remove Individual Suggested Apps

The quickest way to clean up a single suggestion is to right-click it. The context menu gives you options that depend on the type of suggestion:

• Unpin from Start – removes the tile from the Start menu entirely (Windows 10).
• Don’t show in this list – removes it from the Recommended section (Windows 11).
• Uninstall – appears if the app is actually installed, not just suggested. Use this only if you want to remove the app itself.

If you right-click a suggestion that is a Store promotion, you may also see “Share” or “Rate” options. These are not useful for removal. For Windows 10, you can also drag the tile away from the Start menu and drop it on the desktop to remove it, but that only unpins it, it does not disable future suggestions.

Method 2: Turn Off Suggestions in Settings

If you want to stop all suggestions from appearing, use the built-in settings toggle. The location differs between Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Windows 11: Open Settings (Win + I) > Personalization > Start. Toggle off Show suggestions for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more. This is the master switch for all promotional content in the Start menu.

Windows 10: Open Settings > Personalization > Start. Toggle off Show suggestions occasionally in Start. Additionally, you can turn off Show recently added apps if you don’t want to see new apps you’ve installed, though that is not the same as suggestions.

These settings are instant and do not require a restart. They apply to the current user account only. If you have multiple user accounts, you need to repeat the process for each one.

Method 3: Disable via Group Policy (Pro and Enterprise)

For Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, and Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise, you can use the Local Group Policy Editor to disable suggestions for all users on the machine. This is useful for system administrators or families who want a consistent experience.

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar.
3. Find the policy named Remove recommendations from the Start menu (Windows 11) or Remove suggestions from the Start menu (Windows 10).
4. Double-click it, select Enabled, and click OK.

This policy removes all app suggestions, but it does not affect the “Recommended” section’s ability to show recently opened files. After applying, run gpupdate /force in Command Prompt to apply the change immediately. Note that Group Policy is not available on Windows Home edition.

Method 4: Registry Hack for All Editions

If you have Windows Home, you can achieve the same result as Group Policy by editing the registry. This is a safe tweak if you follow the steps exactly. Always back up your registry before making changes.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager.
3. Find the DWORD value named SubscribedContent-338389Enabled. If it doesn’t exist, create it (right-click > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value).
4. Set its value to 0.
5. Restart the computer.

This specific registry key controls the “Tips and suggestions” feature. Setting it to 0 disables the promotional content. Some guides also mention SubscribedContent-310093Enabled for Windows 10, but the 338389 key is the one that works consistently across recent versions. After the restart, the Start menu should no longer show suggested apps. If you ever want to re-enable them, set the value back to 1.

What Doesn’t Work (and Why)

There are a few common suggestions that sound reasonable but don’t actually solve the problem:

• Uninstalling the Store app – The Microsoft Store is a core component; removing it can break other apps and is not recommended. It also doesn’t stop suggestions because they are delivered by a separate service.
• Clearing the Start menu cache – Some guides suggest deleting the TileDataLayer database. This resets your pinned tiles and layout, but it does not disable the suggestion mechanism. It’s a temporary fix at best.
• Using a third-party Start menu replacement – Tools like Open-Shell can replace the Start menu entirely, avoiding suggestions altogether. This works, but it changes the look and feel of Windows, which may not be what you want.

Also, note that the “Recommended” section in Windows 11 shows recently opened files and apps. Disabling suggestions does not remove that. If you want to hide recently opened items, you must turn off Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer in Settings > Personalization > Start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do suggested apps keep coming back after I remove them?
A: Individual removal only unpins that specific tile. The suggestion system is still active, so new suggestions will appear over time. To stop them permanently, use the Settings toggle or the registry/Group Policy method.

Q: Are suggested apps safe? Could they be malware?
A: They are safe. They are promotional tiles from Microsoft’s own Store. They are not malicious, but they can be annoying. If you see an app that you didn’t install, it’s just a shortcut, not a running program.

Q: Will disabling suggestions affect my ability to install apps?
A: No. Disabling suggestions only hides promotional content in the Start menu. You can still open the Microsoft Store and install apps normally.

Q: Does the registry hack work on Windows 11?
A: Yes, the same registry key works on Windows 11, but you must restart the computer for it to take effect. Windows 11 also respects the Group Policy setting if you have Pro.

Q: I have Windows 10 Home. Can I use Group Policy?
A: No, Group Policy Editor is not included in Windows Home. Use the Settings toggle or the registry method instead.

Q: Will these methods also remove ads from the lock screen or File Explorer?
A: No. The Start menu suggestions are controlled by separate settings. To disable lock screen tips, go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and turn off “Get fun facts, tips, and more on your lock screen.” File Explorer ads are a different feature entirely.

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