Windows 11, with its sleek interface and improved features, is a significant upgrade from its predecessors. However, like any operating system, it comes with its quirks. One persistent annoyance for many users is the constant stream of app recommendations appearing in various parts of the system, from the Start menu to the Settings app. These suggestions, while sometimes helpful, can often feel intrusive and unwanted. If you’re tired of these recommendations cluttering your experience, you’re in the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through several methods to disable app recommendations on Windows 11, allowing you to reclaim control over your system and enjoy a cleaner, more focused user experience.
Understanding App Recommendations on Windows 11
Before diving into the solutions, it’s essential to understand why Windows 11 displays app recommendations. Microsoft aims to promote apps from the Microsoft Store and potentially suggest apps that might be relevant to your interests based on your usage patterns. These recommendations are often presented as suggested apps or highlighted apps, strategically placed in areas where you might be looking for new software.
The intention behind these recommendations isn’t necessarily malicious. Microsoft hopes to improve app discovery and encourage users to explore the Microsoft Store’s offerings. However, the frequency and intrusiveness of these suggestions can be disruptive, particularly if you already have a preferred set of apps or prefer to download software from other sources.
The good news is that Windows 11 provides several ways to disable these recommendations. Let’s explore the methods you can use to customize your system and eliminate unwanted app suggestions.
Turning Off App Recommendations in the Start Menu
The Start menu is a prime location for app recommendations. These suggestions often appear alongside your pinned apps and frequently used programs, potentially creating clutter and distracting you from your desired shortcuts. Fortunately, disabling these recommendations in the Start menu is a straightforward process.
First, access the Windows 11 Settings app. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard, or by searching for “Settings” in the Start menu search bar.
Once the Settings app is open, navigate to the “Personalization” section. This section allows you to customize various aspects of your Windows 11 experience, including the Start menu, taskbar, and lock screen.
In the “Personalization” section, click on “Start.” This will open the Start menu settings page, where you can configure various options related to the Start menu’s behavior and appearance.
On the Start menu settings page, look for the option labeled “Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more.” This setting controls whether Windows 11 displays app recommendations and other promotional content within the Start menu.
To disable app recommendations, simply toggle the switch next to “Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more” to the “Off” position. The switch should turn gray, indicating that the feature is disabled.
With this setting turned off, the Start menu will no longer display app recommendations, providing a cleaner and more focused experience. You can now close the Settings app and enjoy your decluttered Start menu.
Verifying the Change
To ensure the change has taken effect, open the Start menu and verify that the app recommendations are no longer present. If you still see recommendations, try restarting your computer to ensure the changes are fully applied.
Disabling App Recommendations in the Settings App
App recommendations aren’t limited to the Start menu. They can also appear within the Settings app itself, often disguised as tips or suggestions related to specific settings or features. These recommendations can be particularly annoying, as they interrupt your workflow and distract you from the task at hand. Thankfully, you can disable these recommendations within the Settings app as well.
Open the Settings app again by pressing Windows key + I or searching for “Settings” in the Start menu.
Navigate to the “System” section. This section contains settings related to your computer’s hardware, software, and overall system configuration.
Within the “System” section, click on “Notifications.” This will open the Notifications settings page, where you can configure various notification-related options, including app notifications and system notifications.
Scroll down the Notifications settings page until you find the section labeled “Additional settings.” This section contains less commonly used notification settings that can further customize your notification experience.
In the “Additional settings” section, look for the option labeled “Get tips and suggestions when I use Windows.” This setting controls whether Windows 11 displays tips, suggestions, and app recommendations within the Settings app and other parts of the system.
To disable app recommendations, uncheck the box next to “Get tips and suggestions when I use Windows.” This will prevent Windows 11 from displaying these types of notifications, including app recommendations, within the Settings app.
Once you’ve unchecked the box, the change should take effect immediately. You can now close the Settings app and enjoy a cleaner, less cluttered Settings experience.
The Impact of Disabling Tips
Disabling “Get tips and suggestions when I use Windows” will not only remove app recommendations but also disable other types of tips and suggestions from appearing within the Settings app and other areas of the system. This can be beneficial if you find these tips distracting or unhelpful. However, it’s important to be aware that you may also miss out on potentially useful information about new features or settings.
Utilizing Group Policy Editor (for Windows Pro and Enterprise Editions)
If you’re using Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise edition, you have access to the Group Policy Editor, a powerful tool that allows you to configure a wide range of system settings, including the ability to disable app recommendations. This method is particularly useful for managing settings across multiple computers in a corporate or educational environment.
To access the Group Policy Editor, press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type “gpedit.msc” (without the quotes) into the Run dialog box and press Enter. This will launch the Group Policy Editor.
In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following location:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Cloud Content
Within the “Cloud Content” folder, look for the setting labeled “Do not show Windows tips.”
Double-click on “Do not show Windows tips” to open its settings.
In the settings window, select the “Enabled” option. This will enable the policy, effectively disabling Windows tips and suggestions, including app recommendations.
Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
Close the Group Policy Editor.
Applying the Changes
The changes made in the Group Policy Editor may not take effect immediately. To ensure the changes are applied, you can either restart your computer or run the following command in an elevated Command Prompt (run as administrator):
gpupdate /force
This command will force the Group Policy settings to be updated, ensuring that the changes you made in the Group Policy Editor are applied to your system.
Modifying the Registry (Advanced Users)
For advanced users who are comfortable editing the Windows Registry, there’s another method to disable app recommendations. This method involves directly modifying the Registry keys that control the display of these suggestions. However, it’s crucial to exercise caution when editing the Registry, as incorrect modifications can lead to system instability or other problems. Always back up your Registry before making any changes.
To open the Registry Editor, press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type “regedit” (without the quotes) into the Run dialog box and press Enter. This will launch the Registry Editor.
In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following location:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager
Within the “ContentDeliveryManager” key, look for the following values:
SilentInstalledAppsEnabledSubscribedContent-338389EnabledSubscribedContentEnabled
If these values don’t exist, you can create them by right-clicking in the right pane, selecting “New,” and then choosing “DWORD (32-bit) Value.” Name the new value accordingly.
Double-click on each of these values and set their data to “0” (zero). This will disable the corresponding features that control the display of app recommendations and other promotional content.
If you don’t find the key, try navigating to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager
Repeat the steps outlined above.
Close the Registry Editor.
Restarting Your Computer
After modifying the Registry, it’s essential to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Once your computer has restarted, the app recommendations should be disabled.
Third-Party Customization Tools
While Windows 11 provides built-in methods to disable app recommendations, some users may prefer to use third-party customization tools to further control their system’s behavior and appearance. These tools often offer a wider range of customization options than the built-in settings, allowing you to fine-tune your Windows 11 experience to your exact preferences.
However, it’s important to exercise caution when using third-party customization tools. Always download these tools from reputable sources and carefully review their settings before making any changes to your system. Some tools may contain malware or other unwanted software, so it’s essential to be vigilant.
Some popular third-party customization tools for Windows 11 include:
-
O&O ShutUp10++: This tool provides a simple and intuitive interface for disabling various privacy settings and telemetry features in Windows 11, including app recommendations.
-
Winaero Tweaker: This tool offers a wide range of customization options for Windows 11, allowing you to tweak various aspects of the system’s behavior and appearance.
These tools can be helpful for users who want more control over their Windows 11 experience, but it’s essential to use them responsibly and with caution.
Conclusion: Reclaiming Control of Your Windows 11 Experience
App recommendations on Windows 11 can be a persistent source of frustration for many users. However, by following the methods outlined in this guide, you can effectively disable these recommendations and reclaim control over your system. Whether you choose to disable recommendations in the Start menu, the Settings app, using the Group Policy Editor, or modifying the Registry, you have the power to customize your Windows 11 experience to your liking. By taking the time to disable these unwanted suggestions, you can enjoy a cleaner, more focused, and more productive computing experience. Remember to always back up your system before making significant changes, and exercise caution when using third-party tools. With a little effort, you can transform your Windows 11 experience from a source of annoyance to a seamless and enjoyable one.
Why am I seeing so many app recommendations in Windows 11?
Windows 11 features built-in mechanisms designed to suggest apps that Microsoft believes you might find useful, often based on your browsing history, installed software, or demographic data. These recommendations are primarily intended to introduce users to new apps available in the Microsoft Store, aiming to increase app adoption and engagement with the Windows ecosystem. While the intention might be helpful for some users, for many, these frequent app suggestions can become intrusive and disrupt their workflow.
The primary reason for their persistence lies in Microsoft’s strategic efforts to promote its app store and services. They utilize various features within the operating system, such as the Start menu, notification center, and settings pages, to display these recommendations. Understanding this motivation is the first step in taking control and minimizing the frequency of these suggestions, which can be easily achieved through the methods described below.
How do I disable app recommendations in the Windows 11 Start Menu?
The Start Menu is a common place where app recommendations pop up. To disable these, navigate to Settings by pressing the Windows key + I. Then, click on “Personalization” and select “Start.” Within the Start settings, toggle the switch labeled “Show recommendations for tips, promotions, and more” to the “Off” position. This action will prevent the Start Menu from displaying unsolicited app suggestions, streamlining your Start Menu experience and focusing on the apps you actively use.
Keep in mind that disabling this setting only addresses the app recommendations within the Start Menu. Other areas of Windows 11 might still display app suggestions. You will need to address these separately through other configuration options, such as those found in the Notifications and Microsoft Store settings, which will be explored later in these FAQs.
Can I turn off notifications for app suggestions in Windows 11?
Yes, you can control app suggestion notifications within the Windows 11 notification system. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I, and then click on “System” followed by “Notifications.” Scroll through the list of apps and locate the “Microsoft Store” entry. If you want to completely block all notifications from the Microsoft Store, toggle the switch next to it to the “Off” position.
Alternatively, if you only want to suppress app suggestions while keeping other Microsoft Store notifications (like app updates), click on the “Microsoft Store” entry itself. Then, customize the notification settings, such as disabling banner notifications, turning off notification sounds, or reducing the priority of the Microsoft Store notifications. This allows you to fine-tune the notification experience to minimize app suggestion interruptions.
Does disabling app recommendations affect Windows updates?
No, disabling app recommendations does not interfere with Windows updates. App recommendations are separate from the core operating system update mechanisms. Windows updates are crucial for security patches, bug fixes, and new features, and they will continue to be delivered regardless of your app recommendation settings.
The settings related to app suggestions only control the display of promotional content for applications available in the Microsoft Store. Therefore, you can confidently disable these suggestions without affecting the critical process of keeping your Windows 11 system secure and up-to-date. Remember to regularly check for Windows updates through the Settings app to ensure your system remains protected.
Will these changes affect the apps I already have installed?
No, disabling app recommendations will not affect the apps that are already installed on your system. These settings only control the appearance of suggested apps from the Microsoft Store. Your existing applications will continue to function normally, and you can still launch, update, and uninstall them as you always have.
The changes you make to app recommendation settings are solely related to the operating system’s behavior in suggesting new apps. They have no impact on the functionality, data, or settings of the applications you have already chosen to install. You can adjust these settings without fear of disrupting your existing software setup.
How do I prevent app suggestions during the initial Windows 11 setup?
During the initial Windows 11 setup process, you’ll be presented with various options. Pay close attention to screens asking about “tailored experiences” or “personalized ads.” Opting out of these settings will minimize the likelihood of seeing app recommendations later on. Choose options that prioritize privacy and limit the data Microsoft collects about your usage patterns.
Another key step is to select “Set up for personal use” instead of “Set up for an organization” if you are not part of a corporate network. Setting up for personal use allows for more granular control over privacy settings and reduces the chances of Microsoft pushing pre-configured app suggestions or settings through group policies. This initial setup significantly impacts the level of control you have over app recommendations.
Can I re-enable app recommendations if I change my mind?
Yes, you can easily re-enable app recommendations if you decide you want to see them again. Simply revisit the settings you previously modified to disable them. For the Start menu, go to Settings > Personalization > Start and toggle the “Show recommendations for tips, promotions, and more” switch back to the “On” position.
Similarly, for notifications, navigate to Settings > System > Notifications, find the “Microsoft Store” entry, and re-enable notifications or customize the notification settings to your preference. This provides you with the flexibility to experiment with these settings and adjust them according to your needs and preferences. The ability to easily toggle these features on and off gives users complete control over their Windows 11 experience.