The Start menu is a mainstay of Windows, introduced with Windows 95. If you want to find a file, launch an application, or put your PC to sleep, this is the place to go.
For many tasks, you can also use useful keyboard shortcuts to do the basics. Try Windows + L the next time you leave your computer to lock it without clicking on the menus. Tap or click here for a guide to all the best PC shortcuts.
Now, let’s talk about garbage. If you’ve been with your computer for a long time, it’s probably full of files that you don’t need. Tap or click on a few simple ways to free up storage space.
You can also clear the Start menu. See how.
1. Get rid of annoying suggestions
Did you notice suggested links appearing when you open the Start menu? Windows shows you the recommended applications that you think may be useful.
If you’re tired of seeing these suggestions, you can turn them off so they don’t disrupt the Start menu any more:
- click on the To start menu> Definitions icon
- Click Customization
- Click To start on the left side of the panel
- Toggle the slider off to disable “Show suggestions occasionally at Start”
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2. Simplify the list of applications
It’s annoying when the app you’re looking for is hidden among many others that you don’t use. You have a few options to banish the clutter.
To hide the list of applications on the Start menu:
- Again, navigate to Definitions > Customization > To start
- From here, toggle “Show list of apps in the Start menu” off
If you find that there are applications that you no longer want, remove them:
- Log in to your computer as an administrator
- Type Apps in the search box
- Below the search results, select Applications and features
- Select an app you want to remove
- Touch Uninstall
- Repeat the process for each application you want to remove
3. Disable options that you don’t use
By default, the Windows 10 Start menu shows things like recently added apps or your most used apps. Seeing the new apps you’ve added in the past few weeks can be useful initially, but you may not find this feature particularly useful over time.
To disable the other options in Windows 10:
- Navigate to Definitions > Customization > To start
- Toggle the “Show the most used apps” feature off
- You can also switch off “Show recently added apps” in this section if you don’t want all of your newly installed apps to appear
4. Organize the blocks according to your preference
Starter blocks are large, shiny boxes that provide quick access to certain applications. Not everyone likes to be greeted by a bunch of square tiles with quick access to the Microsoft Store or the calendar when they sign in.
If you prefer to stay without the blocks integrated with Windows 10, you can disable them. It is also easy to do. Observation: You must be logged in as an administrator to enable or disable the “Show more blocks when starting” setting.
- Navigate to Definitions > Customization > To start
- Toggle “Show more blocks at the beginning” off
To rearrange or organize blocks at Start:
- Click the Windows button in the lower left corner
- To move a tile, click and drag it wherever you want
5. Choose which folders appear
By default, three folders populate the Start menu: Documents, Images and Settings.
You can add additional folders to the mix along with the patterns. You may want to add File Explorer, Downloads, Music, Videos, Network or even a personal folder.
You will have to work within the height restrictions of the Start menu screen, but you can customize the folders that appear as often as you like.
To add, edit, or remove folders from the Start Menu:
- Navigate to Definitions > Customization > To start
- Click Choose which folders appear at Start at the bottom of the menu
- You will see a list of folder options
- From here, switch them in or off depending on your preferences
Voilà! Your Start menu is exactly the way you want it.
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