Microsoft's Controversial AI-Assisted 'Recall' Feature in Windows 11 Cannot Be Uninstalled

It looks like you won't be able to uninstall Recall, the controversial AI-assisted Windows 11 screen-capping feature, and I can't say I'm too surprised

Can you recall a time when annoying Windows features were easy to uninstall? I can't. Despite all the backlash and security problems the upcoming Windows Recall feature has faced, it now looks like Microsoft won't be giving users the option to uninstall it. That's right, whether you use it or not, you're not going to be able to rid your system of the feature. While notes for a previous Windows update made it seem like Recall would be a feature that can be disabled, Microsoft has told The Verge that the way it was listed in these update notes was a "bug." The company states, "We are aware of an issue where Recall is incorrectly listed as an option under the 'Turn Windows features on or off' dialog in Control Panel," and confirming, "This will be fixed in an upcoming update." For those unaware, Recall is a feature that's meant to "help you find anything you have ever seen or done on your PC". For example, you could ask Recall to find that spectacularly hilarious video you were watching a few days ago but forgot to bookmark. If that seems impossible then you're forgetting the magic of AI -- this being why Recall is a feature meant only for Copilot+ PCs with powerful NPUs, such as those in the Snapdragon X Series or the recent AMD Strix Point APUs. Or perhaps you're wondering how even an AI-powered feature could achieve such a feat without having records of absolutely everything you've done on your PC. I mean, that would be a security nightmare, right? If that's what you're wondering, you're right to wonder -- because it can't. Recall does, in fact, take screenshots of your desktop every few seconds, and it's this requirement that has caused backlash. Such a backlash, in fact, that Microsoft backtracked and said the feature won't be enabled by default as was previously expected, and users will instead have to opt in to use it. There's also the fact that researchers managed to bypass Windows security to access all the stored images, which is not a good look. Microsoft might have since made changes to improve security and reassured us that the images will only be locally accessible to the Recall user, but that such a hack was possible in the first place hasn't improved public perception of Recall. There's also rumour of "intelligent media search" in the works, too, this being a Windows feature that will scan and transcribe all your computer's audio and video files to find the phrase you're looking for. Such a feature would certainly gel with Microsoft's Recall plans and likely grate against existing security concerns. And now, after all this and a postponed feature launch, it looks like we won't be allowed to uninstall it when it does actually come out. Although, I should note that Microsoft hasn't confirmed that Recall won't be able to be uninstalled, only that the note hinting it would be was a bug. Personally, I wouldn't count on Microsoft allowing us to uninstall the feature completely. The company doesn't have the best track record for allowing such things. Remember Cortana? Heck, even Microsoft Teams and OneDrive can be difficult to get rid of. Let's just hope leaving the feature disabled will be enough. No funny business, okay, Microsoft? Okay?

Microsoft's Recall Feature Can't Be Uninstalled From Control Panel

Copilot+ PC users won't be able to delete Microsoft's upcoming Recall feature from their machines via a submenu in the Windows Control Panel. Recall is first being launched to Windows Insiders. German tech site DeskModder noticed that Windows showed Recall as something that could be effectively uninstalled by navigating to the Windows Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Turn Windows Features On or Off, sharing a screenshot of the option in question. But Brandon LeBlanc, senior product manager for Windows, says the Recall box was added in error. "We are aware of an issue where Recall is incorrectly listed as an option under the 'Turn Windows features on or off' dialog in Control Panel," LeBlanc said in a statement to The Verge. "This will be fixed in an upcoming update." PCMag has reached out to Microsoft for further comment. Recall is Microsoft's AI-powered feature that takes screenshots of your PC's activity in the background as you're using it so you can search for past moments later if you want. It lets you return to a multi-app moment in your PC's past that's more comprehensive than just searching your web browser's history alone. Recall was initially expected to launch with the compatible Copilot+ PCs earlier this year. But security concerns caused delays, and Recall is now expected to launch in beta next month. Recall won't be available for all Windows PCs. You'll need a Copilot+ PC, which launched this year, as well as a minimum of 16GB of RAM, 50GB of free space, and at least 256GB of total storage space. When Recall launches via a software update, it can be paused or modified to not screenshot certain sites or apps. Microsoft has said Recall will be an opt-in feature, meaning it'll appear on eligible devices, but users will have to turn it on. While it might not be possible for users to fully uninstall or delete Recall from their Copilot+ PCs, it's possible to keep the feature disabled or restrict its ability to track your activity. There's also the option to use a different PC entirely if you're not a fan of the AI feature, but with Apple's upcoming Apple Intelligence, the Copilot key, and Copilot button on Windows taskbars, it's getting harder and harder to avoid generative AI in the latest tech on the market.

How to uninstall Windows Recall

The controversial AI feature introduced by Microsoft, has been met with mixed reactions from users and many were left wondering if there is a way to uninstall Windows Recall. While some found the new feature helpful, others expressed concerns about its privacy implications and potential for misuse. In response to user feedback, Microsoft has now added the option to completely uninstall Windows Recall from Copilot+ PCs. Windows Recall is a feature designed to assist users by suggesting relevant information and actions based on their context and history. However, some users felt that Windows Recall was overly intrusive and collected too much personal data. Microsoft's decision to allow users to uninstall Windows Recall demonstrates its commitment to user choice and privacy. By providing users with the option to remove the feature, Microsoft is empowering them to customize their Windows experience and decide what level of AI assistance they are comfortable with. Windows Recall is a new AI feature introduced in Windows 11 that aims to enhance your productivity and streamline your workflow. It essentially acts as a "search engine" for your computer's history, allowing you to quickly find and access information you've seen or interacted with. Here's a breakdown of what Windows Recall does: Essentially, Windows Recall provides a visual search capability for your computer's history, making it easier to find and revisit information.