Privacy and Security Enable or Disable Recall Snapshots in Windows 11


Recall.png

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable saving Recall snapshots for your account or all users in Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs.

Starting with Windows 11 build 26120.2415 (Dev) on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, you can try out the Recall (Preview) feature.

Starting with Windows 11 build 26120.2510 (Dev), Microsoft is expanding the preview of Recall to Windows Insiders on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs.

Recall was introduced earlier this year, with the ability to enable you to quickly find and jump back into what you have seen before on your PC. You can use an explorable timeline to find the content you remember seeing before. You can also use semantic powered search and just describe how you remember something and Recall will retrieve the moment you saw it. Any photo, link, or message can be a fresh point to continue from.

To use Recall you need to opt in to saving snapshots, which are screenshots of your activity. Snapshots and the contextual information derived from them are saved and encrypted to your local hard drive. Recall does not share snapshots or associated data with Microsoft or third parties, nor is it shared between different Windows users on the same device. Windows will ask for your permission before saving snapshots. You are always in control, and you can delete snapshots, pause or turn them off at any time. Any future options for the user to share data will require fully informed explicit action by the user.

If you opt in to the feature, then as you use your PC, a snapshot of your active screen will be saved every few seconds and when the content of your active window changes. Snapshots are also protected with Windows Hello, so that you are the only signed in user can access Recall content. Recall allows you to search for content, including both images and text, using the clues you remember. Trying to remember the name of the sustainable restaurant you saw last week? Just ask Recall and it retrieves both text and visual matches for your search, automatically sorted by how closely the results match your search. Recall can even jump back into the content you saw.

You're always in control of what's saved as a snapshot. You can disable saving snapshots, pause temporarily, filter apps and websites, and delete your snapshots at any time.

You can choose how long snapshots can be saved on your device. In the Maximum storage duration for snapshots setting, select either 30, 60, 90, 180 days, or unlimited. Once snapshots reach the age limit, they are deleted from the device. If you don’t set the maximum storage duration, then snapshots aren’t deleted until the Maximum storage for snapshots limit is reached, and then the oldest snapshots are deleted first.

To help maintain your privacy, Recall processes your content locally on the Copilot+ PC and securely stores it only on your device. Snapshots are encrypted by Device Encryption or BitLocker, which are enabled by default on Windows 11. Recall doesn't share snapshots with other users that are signed into Windows on the same device. Microsoft can't access or view the snapshots.

Your PC needs the following minimum system requirements for Recall:
References:

Recall (Preview) will begin to rollout on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs coming soon. As we gradually roll out Recall in preview, Recall is supported on select languages including Chinese (simplified), English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish. Content-based and storage limitations apply. See here for more details. Recall is not yet available in all regions, with expanded availability coming over time.



Contents

  • Option One: Turn On or Off Saving Recall Snapshots for Current User in Settings
  • Option Two: Enable or Disable Saving Recall Snapshots for All Users in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Three: Enable or Disable Saving Recall Snapshots for All Users using REG file


EXAMPLE Recall on Copilot+ PC






Option One

Turn On or Off Saving Recall Snapshots for Current User in Settings


1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on Privacy & security on the left side, and click/tap on Recall & snapshots on the right side under "Windows permissions". (see screenshot below)

Recall_and_snapshots.png

3 Under Snapshots, turn on (default) or off Save snapshots for what you want. (see screenshot below)

Recall_Settings.png

4 If you turned on Save snapshots, then click/tap on OK when prompted by Windows Security to approve. (see screenshot below)

Recall_Windows_Security.png

5 You can now close Settings if you like.




Option Two

Enable or Disable Saving Recall Snapshots for All Users in Local Group Policy Editor


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.

The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Three to configure the same policy.


1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).

2 Navigate to the location below in the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows AI

Recall_gpedit-msc-1.png

3 In the right pane of Windows AI, double click/tap on the Turn off Saving Snapshots for Windows policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you want.

5 Enable Saving Recall Snapshots for All Users

This is the default setting to allow using Option One.


A) Select (dot) Not Configured. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.​

Recall_gpedit-msc-2.png

6 Disable Recall Snapshots for All Users

This will override Option One.


A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.​

Recall_gpedit-msc-3.png

7 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.




Option Three

Enable or Disable Saving Recall Snapshots for All Users using REG file


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.


1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.

2 Enable Recall Snapshots for All Users

This is the default setting to allow using Option One.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Enable_user-choice_Recall_snapshorts.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\WindowsAI\DisableAIDataAnalysis]
"value"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsAI]
"DisableAIDataAnalysis"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsAI]
"DisableAIDataAnalysis"=-

3 Disable Recall Snapshots for All Users

This will override Option One.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Disable_Recall_snapshorts_for_all_users.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsAI]
"DisableAIDataAnalysis"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsAI]
"DisableAIDataAnalysis"=dword:00000001

4 Save the REG file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

Attachments

Last edited:
Provide a tutorial for enabling Recall on x64 PCs.

Assuming x64 AI models will be eventually be available for it to download.
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP ZBook G2
    CPU
    Intel® Core i7 5500u
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Family Graphics AMD Firepro 4150M
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Audio
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Mouse
    HP USB Mouse
    Antivirus
    Zone Alarm Free Antivirus/Zone Alarm Free Firewall NEXT GEN
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Zbook G4
    CPU
    Xeon 1535m v6
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Quadro Pro 4100
    Sound Card
    Bang and Olufson Audio
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD
    Mouse
    HP USB Mouse
    Antivirus
    Zone Alarm Free Antivirus/Zone Alarm Free Firewall NEXT GEN
Provide a tutorial for enabling Recall on x64 PCs.

Assuming x64 AI models will be eventually be available for it to download.
Unfortunately, Recall will only be available on Copilot+ PCs, but are currently ARM64 devices though.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Are recall features enabled by default?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i9 13900KS
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus Z790 Hero
    Memory
    G.Skill DDR5 32gb 6400mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI RTX4090 Suprim Liquid
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster ZxR
    Monitor(s) Displays
    MSI mpg321ur-qd
    Screen Resolution
    4K 144 hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 1TB and 2TB and Samsung 860 Pro 4TB
    PSU
    Corsair RMx Shift 1200watt
    Case
    Cooler Master COSMOS C700P
    Cooling
    Asus Ryujin II
    Keyboard
    Logitech G413
    Mouse
    Asus ROG Strix Impact II
    Internet Speed
    100Mbps
    Browser
    Egde Chromium
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
While Recall can be disabled inside Settings, the feature is enabled by default in the OOBE (Out of Box Experience) when a Windows 11 Copilot+ PC is set up. Currently, it only tells the user what the feature is good for with no option to opt-out.
However, this may be set to change according to Zac Bowden of Windows Central who says Microsoft is internally discussing the idea of not enabling Recall by default during the OOBE setup
While this is unconfirmed news, if true, it certainly will seem like a step in the right direction. If you recall, this is not the only feature Microsoft wants to default-enable as the company is also testing BitLocker encryption at the moment.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 12900KF
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero
    Memory
    Corsair 64GB DDR5 Vengeance C40 5200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix OC 24GB
    Sound Card
    OnBoard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Predator XB323UGP 32" QHD G-SYNC-C 144Hz 1MS IPS LED
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 250GB M.2 NVMe
    1x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 500GB M.2 NVMe
    2x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 2TB M.2 NVMe
    PSU
    Corsair AX1200i 1200W 80PLUS Titanium Modular
    Case
    Corsair 4000D Black Case w/ Tempered Glass Side Panel
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12A Chromax Black CPU Cooler, 4x Noctua 120mm Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK545
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    Fixed Wireless 150mbps/75mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
    Other Info
    Thrustmaster TS-PC RACER
    Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals with the Load Cell Kit
    Yamaha Amp with Bose Speakers
While Recall can be disabled inside Settings, the feature is enabled by default in the OOBE (Out of Box Experience) when a Windows 11 Copilot+ PC is set up. Currently, it only tells the user what the feature is good for with no option to opt-out.
However, this may be set to change according to Zac Bowden of Windows Central who says Microsoft is internally discussing the idea of not enabling Recall by default during the OOBE setup
While this is unconfirmed news, if true, it certainly will seem like a step in the right direction. If you recall, this is not the only feature Microsoft wants to default-enable as the company is also testing BitLocker encryption at the moment.
And these are good news actually...

I hope they come as opt-in... god only knows all the mess bitlocker has caused for many users that try to reinstall an OS in a new PC...
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built PC
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600G @ 3.9/4.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI B550M-PRO-WiFi Ver. 1.4
    Memory
    2 x 8 GB DDR4 Kingston Fury Beast 2400 @ 3200 Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT MSI Mech 2X OC Edition 8 GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio (Integrated)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung C50Rx 27" LED
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 px
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue SN570 NVME M.2 SSD [1 TB] -- External Drives: - WD Scorpion Blue 250 GB 5400 RPM (Data Backup) - Hitachi 500 GB 5400 RPM (Software / ISOs Backup) - Toshiba MQ01ABD100 1 TB 5400 RPM (OS Images) - HGST TravelStar 7K1000 1 TB, 7200 RPM USB 3.0
    PSU
    Corsair RM750e 750W Fully Modular
    Case
    Naceb Hydra NA-1602
    Cooling
    Naceb Orpheus x 3 (Front) + Naceb Cepheus 1200 RPM Max (Rear) + ThemalRight Assasin X 90 SE (CPU)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K200 Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech M150 Wireless
    Internet Speed
    60 MB Download / 20 MB Upload
    Browser
    Firefox / Brave / Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    - VMs: WMware Player - Windows 8.1 Pro x64 / Windows 10 Pro x64. / Windows 11 Pro
    - Wacom Intuos Pro Small Tablet PTH-460
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 15-eh3000la
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 7730U @ 2.0/4.5 Ghz
    Motherboard
    HP 8BC7
    Memory
    2x8 GB Samsung DDR4 3200 Mhz
    Graphics card(s)
    Radeon Vega RX 8 (512 MB)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio (Integrated)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AU Optronics
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 px
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue SN570 1TB NVME M.2 Drive
    PSU
    45 Watt Charger
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless M170
    Internet Speed
    50 MB Download / 20 MB Upload
    Browser
    Firefox / Brave / Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    - 41mWh battery.
    - Wacom Intuos Pro Small Tablet PTH-460
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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