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Windows 11 gives you three different ways to deal with Recall, and they do not have the same result:
- Stop snapshot collection: turn off Save snapshots. Recall stays installed, but Windows stops creating new screenshots.
- Delete saved data: remove all snapshots or only snapshots from a selected period.
- Remove Recall: clear the Recall optional-feature checkbox in Windows Features and restart the PC.
If you want Recall completely gone, use the third option. If you want to keep the feature available but prevent it from collecting anything, turn off snapshot saving instead.
Before you start: disabling Recall is not the same as uninstalling it
Recall does not continuously record video or audio. It saves periodic screenshots of activity so you can search and revisit things you viewed. The screenshots are called snapshots.
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Turning off Save snapshots prevents new snapshots but leaves Recall installed. Clearing Recall from Windows Features removes the optional Windows feature and deletes snapshots already saved on the PC.
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| What you do | What happens |
|---|---|
| Turn off Save snapshots | New snapshots stop; Recall remains installed. |
| Delete snapshots | Existing snapshots are removed, but Recall remains available. |
| Reset Recall | All snapshots and Recall settings are reset. |
| Remove Recall in Windows Features | Recall is removed after a restart, and saved snapshots are deleted. |
These instructions apply to the Recall feature on supported Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs. Recall is not available on every Windows 11 computer.
Option 1: Disable Recall snapshot saving
Use this option if you want to stop collection without removing the feature from Windows.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots.
- Turn Save snapshots Off.
- Approve the change with Windows Hello if Windows asks for authorization.
This stops future snapshots. It does not automatically delete snapshots that Recall has already saved. When snapshot saving is off, the Recall snapshot icon also disappears from the system tray.
You can usually reach the same setting from the Recall icon in the system tray or from Recall’s options menu. Windows Hello authorization is required because Recall settings control access to potentially sensitive screen content.
Option 2: Delete existing Recall snapshots
If you only turn off Save snapshots, previously created snapshots remain on the device. Delete them separately:
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- Open Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots.
- Expand Delete snapshots.
- To remove everything, select Delete all.
- To remove only recent data, choose Past hour, 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days from the time-range list.
- Select Delete snapshots and confirm the action.
This leaves Recall installed. You can keep using its interface later, although it will have no snapshots to search until saving is enabled again.
Option 3: Reset Recall and its settings
Resetting Recall is useful when you want to remove all snapshots and return the feature to its initial configuration, without removing Recall from Windows.
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- Expand Advanced settings.
- Select Reset Recall.
- Select Reset.
- Authorize the operation with Windows Hello.
A reset deletes all snapshots stored by Recall and resets Recall settings. It does not remove copies you previously exported to another folder. It also cannot delete copies that you shared with an app or website if that third party saved them. In the European Economic Area, resetting Recall also generates a new Recall export code.
Option 4: Completely remove Recall from Windows 11
Microsoft’s current removal method uses the Windows Features dialog rather than the Installed apps page, PowerShell, or DISM.
- Click the Windows 11 taskbar search box.
- Type Turn Windows features on or off.
- Open the matching Control Panel result.
- In the Windows Features list, find Recall.
- Clear the checkbox next to Recall.
- Select OK.
- Restart the PC when Windows prompts you.
Removing the feature deletes Recall snapshots saved on that PC. It does not remove copies that were exported elsewhere or saved by another app or website after sharing.
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How to reinstall Recall later
If you change your mind, open Turn Windows features on or off again, select the Recall checkbox, choose OK, and restart the computer. Recall must still be supported by the device, Windows installation, and any organization policy applied to the PC.
What to do if Recall is missing or unavailable
If you cannot find Recall in Settings or Windows Features, that does not necessarily indicate a damaged Windows installation. Common explanations include:
- The computer is not a supported Copilot+ PC.
- The device does not meet the required hardware or security configuration.
- An employer or school removed Recall or disabled it through policy.
- You are using a Windows account or device configuration for which Recall is unavailable.
Microsoft’s current requirements include a Copilot+ PC with a 40 TOPS NPU, at least 16 GB of RAM, 256 GB of storage, and at least 50 GB of free storage to enable Recall. The device also needs supported encryption and Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security with at least one biometric sign-in method.
On a managed work or school computer, Recall may be removed by default. Settings can also be greyed out when an administrator controls availability, snapshot saving, storage limits, retention, or app and website filtering. In that situation, contact the administrator rather than trying to force a change with unofficial registry edits or scripts.
Do not use these methods
Do not look for Recall under Installed apps
Recall is treated as an optional Windows feature. Microsoft does not currently document Settings > Apps > Installed apps as the removal path.
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Do not uninstall a Windows update to remove Recall
Removing a Windows update is not the documented way to disable or uninstall Recall. Use Save snapshots, Reset Recall, or Windows Features instead. Uninstalling updates can also remove unrelated security and reliability fixes.
Do not rely on an undocumented command
Microsoft’s current instructions provide the graphical Windows Features procedure. They do not provide a supported DISM or PowerShell command for removing Recall. A command found online may target a particular Windows build and can fail after an update.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check that Recall is no longer saving snapshots
After disabling or removing Recall, check the result:
- Open Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots. If the feature was only disabled, confirm Save snapshots is off.
- Look at the notification area. The Recall snapshot icon should not appear when saving is off.
- If you removed Recall, open Turn Windows features on or off and verify that Recall is unchecked.
- Restart the PC if you have just changed the optional feature.
On a PC with several Windows accounts, snapshot saving is controlled separately for each user. Disabling it for one account does not automatically change another user’s setting.
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FAQ
Does turning off Save snapshots uninstall Recall?
No. It stops new snapshots but leaves Recall installed. To remove Recall, clear its checkbox in Turn Windows features on or off and restart Windows.
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Will deleting snapshots remove Recall?
No. Deleting snapshots removes the stored data only. Recall remains installed unless you remove the optional feature.
Does uninstalling Recall delete saved snapshots?
Yes. Microsoft’s instructions state that removing Recall deletes previously saved snapshots. Exported copies and copies saved by third parties are not removed.
Can I remove Recall with PowerShell or DISM?
Microsoft’s current documented procedure uses the Windows Features dialog. It does not provide a DISM or PowerShell command for removing Recall, so the graphical method is the supported choice.
Why is Recall missing from Windows Features?
The PC may not meet Recall’s Copilot+ hardware or security requirements, or an organization may have removed or restricted the feature through policy.
Is Recall recording everything on my PC?
Recall saves periodic screenshots rather than continuous video, and it does not record audio. Snapshot saving is opt-in and is off by default for each new user.
The Bottom Line
For the least disruptive change, go to Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots and turn Save snapshots off. Delete existing snapshots separately if required. To remove Recall completely, use Turn Windows features on or off, clear Recall, and restart Windows 11.
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