Controversial Windows Recall feature will be uninstallable, or so it seems
The latest optional update for Windows 11 includes the option to uninstall Windows Recall.
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What you need to know
After a short period of radio silence on one of its flagship AI-powered features, Windows Recall, Microsoft shared its plans for testing the feature among Windows Insiders. But that timeline may be overshadowed by a piece of information that Microsoft was not so talkative about. It appears that it will be possible to uninstall Windows Recall from Windows 11. That goes one step further than letting users disable the feature and could go a long way in easing concerns about privacy and security.
As spotted byDeskmodder, the most recent optional update to Windows 11 (KB5041865) includes the option to uninstall Windows Recall. Previously, Recall could be disabled but not removed. It’s worth noting that Deskmodder is based within the European Union, so there’s a chance that the option to remove Recall could be limited to certain regions. The European Union is the reason that Windows users canuninstall OneDrive, Edge, and Bing. There are instances, however, in which options are only available within the EU.
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Recalling the recall of Windows Recall
When Microsoft announcedWindows Recall, the feature was supposed to be a flagship tool that showcased the power of AI. Unfortunately for Microsoft, Recall was met with backlash. Security concerns stemming from the featurestoring captured data in an unencrypted statewere the straw that broke the camel’s back and forced Microsoft to delay the release of Recall. Bur privacy concerns were also flagged up by many.
Microsoft announced several ways it planned to improve Recall, including how tomake the feature more secure. Those plans will take time to implement. The initial planned launch date for Recall was back in June, but Microsoft decided to delay Recall. The tech giant outlined its plans totest Recall among Windows Insidersstarting in October ahead of an eventual general release.
Who can use Windows Recall?
Even when Windows Recall launches, it will only be available on certain PCs. The feature requires aCopilot+ PC. To receive that designation, a computer must have anNPUwith 40+TOPS, 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and 8 logical processors.
At the moment, all Copilot+ PCs run onQualcomm Snapdragon X Series processors. But in the future,AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 chipsandIntel’s Lunar Lake processorswill get access.
Over time, there will be quite a few Copilot+ PCs available. Hopefully, the designations between an AI PC and a Copilot+ PCs will become less muddy as well. Right now, several of thebest AI PCsare not Copilot+ PCs.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
