How to Remove All the Junk from Your Windows 10 Start Menu

 

The Start menu is a Windows staple that debuted with Windows 95. It's the place to go if you need to find a file, open an app, or put your computer to sleep.

You can also use keyboard shortcuts to get the basics completed with several projects. The next time you get up from your computer, press Windows + L to lock it without having to navigate through menus. Tap or click here for a complete list of the best PC shortcuts.

Let's talk about garbage now. If you've had your machine for a long time, it's likely that it's filled with files you don't need. A few easy ways to free up storage space can be found by tapping or clicking.

You can also clean out the Start menu. This is how it is done.

1. Remove vexing suggestions

Have you found that when you open the Start menu, suggested links appear? Windows suggests applications and inks that it believes you will find useful.

If you're sick of seeing these suggestions, you can disable them so they don't clutter up your Start menu:

1. Navigate to the Start menu > Settings icon.

2. Choose Personalization from the menu.

3. On the left-hand side of the pane, click Start.

4. Toggle the slider to the left to turn off "Show suggestions occasionally in Start."

2. Reduce the number of apps on the list.

It's inconvenient when the software you're searching for is buried in a slew of others you don't need. You have a few choices for getting rid of the clutter.

To hide the apps list in the Start menu, do the following:

• Go back to Settings > Personalization > Start.
• Toggle "Show app list in Start menu" off from here.

If you discover that you no longer require those applications, uninstall them:

• Log in as an administrator to your machine.
• Enter Apps in the search window.
• Pick Apps & Features from the search results.
• Choose a program that you want to uninstall.
• Select Uninstall.
• Repeat the procedure for each program you want to uninstall.

3. Disable any choices that you do not need.

By default, the Windows 10 Start menu displays items such as recently added or most-used apps. Seeing new applications you've added in recent weeks may be useful at first, but you do not find that feature particularly useful in the long run.

To disable the other options in Windows 10, follow these steps:

• Select Settings > Personalization > Start.
• Turn off the "Show Most Used Apps" feature.
• You can also switch off "Display recently added apps" in this section if you don't want any of your newly updated apps to be shown.

4. Arrange tiles as desired.

Start tiles are huge, colorful boxes that provide easy access to specific apps. When signing in, not everyone likes being greeted by a slew of square tiles with fast links to the Microsoft Store or the calendar.

You can disable the built-in tiles in Windows 10 if you don't want to use them. It's also quite easy. To allow or disable the "Show more tiles on Start" setting, you must be logged in as an administrator.

• Select Settings > Personalization > Start.
• Turn off "Show more tiles on Start."

To rearrange or organize the tiles on the Start screen, do the following:

• In the lower-left corner, click the Windows button.
• To shift a tile, click and drag it to the desired location.

5. Choose which folders should be shown.

By default, the Start Menu contains three folders: Documents, Pictures, and Settings.

You can add more files to the mix in addition to the defaults. Perhaps you'd like to include File Explorer, Downloads, Music, Videos, Network, or even a personal folder.

You'll have to function within the height constraints of the Start menu screen, however you can configure which folders appear as frequently as you want.

To add, modify, or delete folders from the Start Menu, follow these steps:

• Select Settings > Personalization > Start.
• Please click here. At the bottom of the menu, select which folders to appear on Start.
• You will be presented with a list of folder choices.
• Toggle them on or off here based on your preferences.

That's it, guys. The start menu is just how you want it.