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How to Remove or Replace the Preview Panel on SharePoint Start
Question details
Users want to replace or remove the large Preview panel and 'Go to pages' link on the SharePoint start page in favor of more useful links like frequent sites.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Customizing the SharePoint start page to achieve a cleaner, more practical layout for site users.
- Observed behavior
- A large Preview panel is displayed by default on the start page, promoting additional content creation, and it lacks a direct option to be edited or removed.
Ensure you have the necessary site owner or admin permissions to edit communication site pages and add web parts in your SharePoint environment.
Use the Sites Web Part on a Communication Site
Since the default start page cannot be directly edited, the most effective workaround is to configure a communication site to act as a hub and use the Sites web part to display relevant links.
Microsoft currently locks the default SharePoint start page, meaning the Preview panel cannot be removed directly. However, you can create a cleaner navigation experience by directing users to a communication site tailored with the built-in Sites web part.
Unlike the Highlighted Content web part, which can look untidy when trying to list sites, the Sites web part is specifically designed to cleanly display accessible sites within a hub.
Open the communication site that you want users to use as their primary landing page and click the 'Edit' button at the top right of the page.
Hover over the section of the page where you want to display the site links, click the '+' icon to add a new web part, and select 'Sites' from the menu.
Click the pencil icon to edit the web part. Under the configuration options, set it to show 'All sites in the hub'. This will automatically display a clean list of sites that the current user has permission to access.
Once the web part is configured to your liking, click 'Republish' to make the changes visible to all site visitors.
Enhance Your Daily Workflow with WPS Office
While dealing with rigid Microsoft SharePoint start pages can be frustrating, managing your actual documents shouldn't be. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly customizable alternative for creating, editing, and sharing your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without the clutter.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and click 'Download WPS Office Free'.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer to quickly set up the lightweight application.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Drag and drop your existing Microsoft Office files directly into WPS to continue working seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I completely delete the Preview panel from the default SharePoint start page?
No, Microsoft currently does not allow users to directly edit or remove the Preview panel on the default SharePoint start page. The best alternative is to set up a communication site as your main landing page.
Why does the Highlighted Content web part look untidy when listing sites?
The Highlighted Content web part pulls documents and items based on search queries rather than a structured site directory. For a cleaner and more organized list of sites, you should use the dedicated Sites web part.
How do I ensure users only see SharePoint sites they have access to?
By using the Sites web part and configuring it to show 'All sites in the hub', SharePoint automatically applies security trimming. This means the web part will only display the sites that the logged-in user has permissions to view.
Where can I submit feedback about the SharePoint start page design?
You can submit feedback directly to Microsoft by clicking the 'Feedback' option, typically found in the bottom right corner of your Microsoft 365 portal, or via the official Microsoft Tech Community forums.
