Was it Just a Joke? Microsoft Says Windows 11 Recall Feature Uninstall Option Was a Bug

Last week, Microsoft rolled out an optional update for Windows 11 24H2 to Microsoft Copilot+PC users. Some users who installed this update noticed the appearance of the Recall feature in the optional features list, implying that users could uninstall Recall by simply unchecking it.

It was not surprising that Microsoft provided an uninstall option, given that the Recall feature had previously been identified as posing serious security and privacy risks. Hence, uninstalling it seemed like a reasonable choice for users who did not wish to use the feature.

However, it turns out Microsoft was just "kidding." In a statement, Microsoft said:

"We've noticed the accidental appearance of the Recall option in the Turn Windows features on or off dialog in the Control Panel. This issue will be corrected in a future update."

This situation might not be an error but a change of heart from Microsoft, indicating a reluctance to offer a thorough uninstall option for Recall. The appearance of a new option in the optional features list is undoubtedly a targeted development, unlikely caused by a mere bug.

Microsoft has not disclosed whether there will be alternative ways for users to uninstall Recall. In Windows 11, due to EU legal requirements, Microsoft has already made many components uninstallable; logically, Recall should be among them.

Even if uninstallation isn't an option, users need not worry too much. In a previous update, Microsoft promised that the Recall feature would not be enabled without explicit user consent, and even after enabling, users could turn it off at any time.

Windows 11 Recall is a key AI feature developed by Microsoft. It takes screenshots of the screen every few minutes (essentially full-screen captures) and uses AI to analyze the content of these snapshots, organizing them into a timeline for user review.