Can You Uninstall Windows Recall?

What to know

• Yes, you can now uninstall Windows Recall completely.
• Search for and open ‘Turn Windows features on or off’. Uncheck Recall and click OK.
• The option is being added to Copilot+ PCs via an update. Windows Recall will be available to Windows Insiders for testing starting October.

Windows Recall, one of the most controversial AI features by Microsoft, is going to make a comeback this October. But the return won’t be without any changes. As per a recent optional update (KB5041865) that’s exclusively available to Copilot+ PCs, it looks like Microsoft has added a new way to get rid of Windows Recall. 

From the ‘Windows Features’ window, you can now uninstall or remove Windows Recall. Here’s how:

1. Press Start, search ‘Turn Windows feature on or off‘ and open it.
2. Alternatively, press Win+R to bring up the RUN box and search for optionalfeatures.
3. Scroll down and look for Recall.
4. Uncheck the box next to Recall. Click OK to confirm.
5. The feature should be removed upon a restart.

Giving users the ability to remove Recall from Windows should allay some of their fears and even invite them to check it out in earnest, knowing that it can be removed if they don’t want it. 

Earlier, Recall could only be disabled or turned off on Copilot+ PCs via an opt-in feature. Windows Recall is only available on Copilot+ PCs.