So you got a Copilot+ PC and suddenly there’s this new thing called Microsoft Recall running in the background, taking snapshots of your screen? You can turn it off.
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Here’s how to do it, step by step, without diving into the deep end of your settings.
First, what is Microsoft Recall?
Quick refresher: According to Microsoft Support, Recall is Microsoft’s new AI-powered tool for Copilot+ PCs that quietly takes screenshots of your activity throughout the day, including websites, apps, documents, you name it.
It stores them in a timeline you can search with natural language. It’s like having a rewind button for your digital life.
Sounds handy in theory, but if you’re worried about privacy or want to keep things simple, you might want to uninstall it.
So… how do I uninstall Microsoft Recall?
Step 1: Go to “Turn Windows features on or off”
- Click the Start button.
- Type “Turn Windows features on or off” in the search bar.
- Click on the result that pops up (you can also find it via Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features).
Step 2: Find the “Recall” feature
- In the list that appears, scroll down until you see “Recall.”
- Uncheck the box next to it.
Step 3: Apply and restart
- Hit OK to apply the changes.
- Then restart your computer.
That’s it. No more automatic screen snapshots.
What happens to the snapshots that were already saved?
Good question. When you uninstall Recall, those saved snapshots should be removed too. If you want to be extra sure, you can manually delete any remaining Recall data from your system folders or privacy settings before you uninstall.
Still want some Recall features but with more control?
You don’t have to uninstall it completely. Microsoft does give you the option to pause it, turn off snapshot saving, or selectively delete certain snapshots.
You can also open Recall anytime with Windows key + J and tweak the settings from there.
But if you’d rather not deal with it at all? Follow the steps above and consider it gone.
