How to Clear the Most Used Apps from Windows Start Menu

Lucas Watson

Updated: January 11, 2024

The Most used apps list on the Start menu will store and display your recently opened apps. If you don't like Windows keeps a record of programs you use frequently, read on this guide, it will show you how to remove the most used programs from the Start Menu in seconds.

• Option 1: Hide the most used apps list in Windows 10
• Option 2: Clear recently opened programs in Windows 7

How to hide the most used apps from Start Menu in Windows 10

To remove the most used apps list from Start Menu in Windows 10, here's how:

Step 1: Open Settings app. Click on Personalization icon.

Step 2: Click the Start tab. On its right pane, set toggle button under Show most used apps to Off.

How to clear recently opened programs in Windows 7

To clear the record of recently opened programs on the Start menu, here's how:

Step 1: In Windows 7, right-click the Start, then click Properties.

Step 2: On the Start Menu tab, uncheck the Store and display recently opened programs in the Start menu, when done, click Apply.

If you want to hide your recently opened documents/files from the Start menu, uncheck the Store and display recently opened items in the Start menu and the taskbar box as well.

Note: This setting will also turn off the suggestion history for the Run (Win+R) command dialog in Windows 7.