Microsoft has made some significant changes to Windows 11’s Start menu, some more welcome than others. For instance, the capability to configure the Start Menu to show more pins or more recommendations based on preferences. This addition was received with mixed reactions, but the main concern was that it didn’t ship with an option to disable it.
Yesterday, Microsoft released a new Windows 11 Insider build (25309) to the Dev Channel which featured a ton of new features as well as fixes. However, there’s a nifty feature that you might have missed in the changelog.
As first spotted by @PhantomOfEarth on Twitter, the build also featured a hidden capability (ID: 42916428) that lets users disable Start menu recommendations on Windows 11. One of the most requested features by Windows users.
Dev build 25309 has new (hidden) Start menu recommendations to show tips, shortcuts, new apps and more. This can be toggled off from Start menu settings for those who don't want to see this kind of recommended content
vivetool /enable /id:42916428 pic.twitter.com/Soq7C8V5li
— PhantomOcean3 ???????? (@PhantomOfEarth) March 2, 2023
To access this new feature, navigate through Settings > Personalization > Start. Here, you’ll now be able to disable the feature and remove recommendations from your start menu by toggling off the Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more button.
However, the toggle is disabled by default. If you’re a Windows Insider and would want to activate the hidden feature before Microsoft makes the release official, you’ll need to use the Windows features configuration tool, ViveTool. It should be noted that you run the risk of bricking your device.
It’s not yet clear when or if Microsoft will ship this feature to the Stable release. Share your thoughts with us in the comment section.
