What Windows Recall Does and Why You Might Disable It

Windows Recall is a feature in Windows 11 that takes periodic screenshots of your screen and stores them locally on your device. The system uses these images to help you search for things you've seen before — you can ask it to find a document, email, or website you viewed weeks ago, and it will search through those stored screenshots to locate it.

Recall is turned off by default on most Windows 11 machines, but if your device has a Copilot+ PC processor (like a Snapdragon X or Intel Core Ultra), it may be enabled. Some people disable it because they prefer not to have screenshots stored on their computer, even though they're encrypted and kept locally. Others disable it because they share their device or work with sensitive information. The choice is yours — this guide shows you how to turn it off if you decide you want to.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Recall is off by default unless you have a Copilot+ PC, where it may be on — you can check your settings to see the current state.
  • Disabling Recall through Settings is the standard method and takes less than a minute.
  • If you cannot find the Recall toggle in Settings, your device either does not have the feature or it has not been installed yet.
  • Disabling Recall does not delete screenshots already stored — you will need to clear them separately if you want them removed.
  • Recall requires specific hardware and Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, so older machines will not have the option at all.

Check Whether Recall Is Currently On

Before you disable Recall, confirm whether it is actually running on your device. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. In the left sidebar, click Privacy & security.

Scroll down the list on the right side until you see Recall (it may also be labeled "Snapshots"). If you do not see this option at all, your device does not have Recall or it has not been installed yet — you can stop here. If you do see it, click on it to open the Recall settings page.

On the Recall page, look at the toggle next to "Recall" at the top. If it is already in the off position (gray, with the switch on the left), Recall is disabled and you are done. If the toggle is on (blue, with the switch on the right), follow the next section to turn it off.

Disable Recall Through Settings

With the Recall settings page open in front of you, locate the toggle switch at the top next to the word "Recall". Click or tap this toggle to turn it off. The switch will turn gray and move to the left, and you should see a message confirming that Recall is now off.

Windows will stop taking new screenshots when ready. You can close the Settings app — the change takes effect right away without restarting your computer.

Delete Existing Screenshots if You Want Them Removed

Turning off Recall stops new screenshots from being taken, but it does not automatically delete the ones already stored on your device. If you want to remove them, go back to the Recall settings page (Settings > Privacy & security > Recall) and look for a button or option labeled Delete snapshots or Clear snapshots.

Click this button and confirm when Windows asks you to verify. This will remove all the screenshots Recall has already taken. The process usually takes a few seconds to a minute depending on how many screenshots are stored.

What Happens After You Disable Recall

Once Recall is off, Windows stops taking screenshots in the background. You will not see any change to your normal computer use — no notifications, no performance difference. The search feature that relied on Recall screenshots will no longer work, but all other Windows search functions remain available.

If you change your mind later, you can turn Recall back on by returning to Settings > Privacy & security > Recall and clicking the toggle again. You can also re-enable it at any time without losing other settings or data.

If You Cannot Find the Recall Setting

If you followed the steps above and do not see Recall listed under Privacy & security, one of three things is true: your device does not have the required hardware, you are not running Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, or the feature has not been installed on your system yet.

To check your Windows version, press the Windows key and type "winver", then press Enter. Look for the version number — it should say 24H2 or higher if Recall is available. If your version is lower, Windows may offer an update in the coming weeks. If your device has older hardware (not a Copilot+ PC), Recall will not be available no matter what version you run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does disabling Recall improve my computer's speed?

Recall has minimal impact on performance for most users, so turning it off will not noticeably speed up your computer. If you disable it, the change is about privacy preference rather than performance gain.

Can I disable Recall without going into Settings?

No, the Settings app is the only way to turn Recall off. There is no command-line option or Group Policy setting for home users to disable it through other methods.

If I disable Recall, can Microsoft still see my screenshots?

No. Recall screenshots are stored only on your device and are not sent to Microsoft. Disabling Recall means no screenshots are taken at all, and they remain stored locally and encrypted.

What if my organization manages my computer?

If your computer is managed by a workplace, your IT department may have already disabled Recall through group policy settings. Check with them before making changes, as they may have specific requirements for your device.

Will disabling Recall affect Windows Search for finding files?

No. Windows Search will still find your files, folders, emails, and documents normally. Disabling Recall only removes the ability to search through screenshots of what you have viewed.