Windows Recall is one of the most ambitious features Microsoft has ever shipped — but it’s also one of the most controversial. If you’re not comfortable with Windows 11 capturing snapshots of your activity, the good news is that you can disable Recall entirely.
Here’s how to take back control of what your PC records.
These instructions have been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process in the operating system.
How to disable Windows Recall
On Windows 11, you can turn off and disable Windows Recall without uninstalling it, in at least two ways.
Option 1
The best approach to disable Recall is to reset the feature to its original state using these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Privacy & security.
- Click the Recall & snapshots page on the right side.
- Click on Advanced settings.
- Click the Reset Recall button.
- Click the Reset button.
Once you complete the steps, the system will delete all the data collected by the feature, and it'll permanently disable Windows Recall on the device.
Option 2
To disable Recall by manually turning off the feature, use these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Privacy & Security.
- Click the Recall & Snapshots page from the right side.
- Turn off the "Save Snapshots" toggle switch.
- Click the Delete Snapshots setting.
- Click the Delete All button.
After you complete the steps, the system will delete all the Recall data and disable the feature.
How to uninstall Windows Recall
To completely uninstall the Windows Recall components from your computer, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for Turn Windows features on or off and select the top result to open the "Windows Features" settings.
- Clear the Recall option.
- Restart the computer.
Once you complete the steps, the Recall components will be uninstalled from your computer.
If you want to reinstall the feature, from the "Windows Features" page, check the "Recall" item, click the "OK" button, and then restart the computer.
Does my PC have Windows Recall?
Most Windows PCs will not have access to Windows Recall, as the feature requires new hardware shipping under the Copilot+ PC umbrella. A Copilot+ PC is a device that features an NPU that can output at least 40 TOPS of power, along with 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD storage, and 8 logical processors.
If your PC was purchased before June 18, 2024, it does not have Windows Recall. If your PC was purchased after June 18, 2024, it might have Windows Recall depending on if you purchased a Copilot+ PC.
To check, just type "Recall" into the Windows Start Menu. If you see the Recall app, then your PC does have Recall installed and it can be disabled or uninstalled by following the guide above.
FAQs about managing Windows Recall
These are common questions regarding disabling the Recall feature on Windows 11.
What is Windows Recall on Windows 11?
Windows Recall is an AI feature available on Copilot+ PCs that helps you find previously viewed content using natural language. It works by taking periodic snapshots of your screen and indexing them locally so you can search past activity by description rather than file name or location.
Is Windows Recall enabled by default?
No. Windows Recall comes disabled by default, and it's optional.
Does Windows Recall upload my data to the cloud?
No. Recall processes and stores all snapshots locally on your device. Microsoft states that Recall data never leaves your device unless you explicitly choose to share something. All data is encrypted and protected by Windows Hello.
What happens when I disable Windows Recall?
Disabling Recall prevents the system from capturing new snapshots. If you reset or manually delete snapshots, all previously collected Recall data is permanently removed from your device.
What is the difference between disabling and uninstalling Windows Recall?
Disabling Recall turns off snapshot collection and deletes stored data, but the feature remains part of the operating system. Uninstalling Recall removes its components entirely using the "Windows Features" settings.
Can I reinstall Windows Recall after uninstalling it?
Yes. You can reinstall Recall by opening "Turn Windows features on or off," enabling the "Recall" option, clicking "OK," and restarting your computer.
How do I know if my PC supports Windows Recall?
Windows Recall is only available on Copilot+ PCs, which require an NPU capable of at least 40 TOPS, 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and modern processors. If your device was purchased before June 18, 2024, it does not support Recall. You can also search for “Recall” in the Start menu to confirm.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
- Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
- Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know
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