5 ways to clear out the junk in your Windows 10 Start menu

Windows 10 is a handy tool, but it’s not optimized for your needs right out of the box. This software comes with many valuable tools, but it also comes pre-loaded with bloatware and annoying features that can get in the way of productivity.

The good news is you aren’t stuck using Windows 10 in its stock format. There are ways to clean up and customize the Start menu in Windows 10 to make it work better for your needs. Want more Windows help? Tap or click here for the Windows 10 secret everyone needs to know.

Whether it’s getting rid of annoying app suggestions or removing unwanted bloatware, you’ll want to clean up Windows 10. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to do. If you’re ready to get rid of all that junk lurking in your Start menu, here’s how.

This article is brought to you by our sponsor, Dell. Need small business help? Read to the end to see how Dell’s team of experts can help you for free.

1. Get rid of annoying suggestions

You may have noticed a few suggested links popping up when you open the Start menu. That’s because Windows 10 Start menu has a feature that automatically shows recommended app links it thinks you may find helpful. The Windows Store page will open for the app to buy and download when you click the link.

While these suggestions can be helpful in some situations, they can also be annoying. If you’re tired of seeing these suggestions, you can turn them off so they aren’t cluttering up your Start menu.

To get rid of suggestions in Start:

  • Open Settings on your desktop
  • Click the Personalization icon
  • Click Start, located on the left-hand side of the pane
  • Toggle the slider to disable Show suggestions occasionally in Start

2. Simplify the app list

The app list that pulls up in the Start menu can be a nuisance, especially if it came filled with pre-installed bloatware. It’s pretty standard for computers to come loaded with bloatware, like unnecessary apps and software, which can create a mess and make it difficult to find what you’re looking for.

Even a simple install of Windows 10 can come with useless apps like Candy Crush Friends Saga or Cooking Fever. You can clear out this type of bloatware from your Start menu pretty quickly. Or, if you don’t need the app list to pull up in the Start menu, you can disable the “Show app list in Start menu” instead.

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These companies may sponsor The Kim Komando Show and Komando.com, but she honestly trusts their time-saving tools, security features and money-saving innovations. Kim only partners with companies she is proud to bring to you and uses herself, and she arranges special deals to make these products even more affordable.

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16 Windows tricks pros use all the time and you will, too

Windows 10 turned five this past July. Over time, the operating system can start to take its toll on older computers. Tap or click here for proven ways to make your Windows PC run faster.

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6 hidden Windows 10 tools you should be using

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We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Know this: Laptop screens are changing like never before for good

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