Turns out you won't be able to uninstall Windows 11's Recall feature after all

What you need to know

Last week, the option to uninstall Windows Recall began appearing in Windows Settings.
Now, Microsoft says the option to uninstall Recall is a bug, and won’t be possible when Recall officially launches on Copilot+ PCs.
The feature, which isn’t expected to launch in preview until October, was postponed earlier this year after backlash from users.
Users will still be able to disable Windows Recall if they don’t intend to use it.

As a seasoned observer with decades of tech-savvy under my belt, I must say that the recent developments surrounding Microsoft’s Recall AI feature have been quite intriguing. The initial discovery of an uninstall option was certainly unexpected, adding a layer of mystery to this upcoming feature. However, upon learning that it was merely a bug and the app will not be easily removable once launched, I find myself feeling somewhat relieved.

Over the past week, I stumbled upon an exciting find regarding the new Windows 11 builds – there’s an option to scrap Microsoft’s forthcoming AI feature, Recall, using the “Turn Windows features on and off” interface! Yet, in a recent communication with The Verge, Microsoft has clarified that this ability to remove Recall is actually a bug. In reality, when Recall officially rolls out, it won’t be possible for users like me to opt-out of its integration within the operating system.

Brandon LeBlanc, a senior product manager at Microsoft, informed The Verge that there’s a problem where ‘Recall’ is mistakenly displayed as an option within the ‘Turn Windows features on or off’ dialogue box in Control Panel. This issue will be resolved in an upcoming software update.

As an analyst, I’d like to clarify that while the Recall app itself won’t be effortlessly uninstallable from the system, it remains an optional feature for users. During the initial setup of their PC, users can decide whether or not to activate this feature. Moreover, they can always enable Recall at a later point by simply accessing the Recall app in the Start menu at no cost.

Initially introduced in May, Recall stirred up debate due to concerns about privacy and security. The issue at hand revolves around the fact that although no data collected by Recall is uploaded to the cloud or shared with Microsoft or external parties, it is stored unencrypted in a local directory which could be potentially accessed by attackers.

Due to a recent breakthrough, Microsoft has delayed the initial release of Recall, with no exact launch date given as yet. However, they’ve just announced that a public preview for Recall is scheduled for October. The company assures users that when it eventually launches, Recall will boast enhanced security and be completely voluntary to use.

In October, Recall is scheduled for a preview release, but its official shipment isn’t anticipated until around 2025.

2024-09-02 12:38

Turns out you won’t be able to uninstall Windows 11’s Recall feature after all

What you need to know

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