Microsoft has changed its mind: you can now remove Recall, Windows 11’s photographic memory

Microsoft It seems that we have found a solution to the controversial implementation Revokephotographic memory of Windows 11on PC Copilot+. Reportedly Edgethe company has confirmed that it has finally Yes, this will allow users to completely remove this feature from their computers..

David Weston, the company’s vice president of enterprise security and operating systems, explained that users will have the option to uninstall both the Recall app and the AI ​​models that run locally on compatible PCs.

“If you decide to remove it, we will remove pieces of it from your car,” the executive said. This modification complements several other changes that Microsoft has implemented in Recall following the controversy over its inclusion in Windows 11. To recap, after it was announced to much fanfare in May, several security experts criticized the feature and classified it as protective. nightmare.

This happened because while AI processing of Recall screenshots was performed locally, the information stored in an unencrypted text document. Adding to this was user discomfort because Windows 11’s photo memory was enabled by default and could not be deactivated during the initial setup of a new Copilot+ PC.

In June, Microsoft confirmed that Recall’s debut would be delayed indefinitely, although changes were made to data encryption, data protection with Windows Hello, and offering a tool that is disabled by default. Now the intention is to start testing it. in October through the Windows Insider program, including the ability to completely remove it from your computer.

If you have a Copilot+ PC, Microsoft will allow you to remove Recall in Windows 11.

By allowing Recall to be removed from Windows 11, Microsoft will address one of the latest user complaints. Although Redmond indicated that AI-powered photo memory can be disabled entirely, permanently remove it from your computer if there was confidence that it would never be used.

Earlier this month, a Windows 11 update for Copilot+ PCs revealed that there was an option to potentially remove Recall from “Turn Windows features on or off”. However, Microsoft stated that this is a bug and that it will be fixed in a future update.

Now that it has been confirmed that Recall can be completely removed from the operating system, it is clear that this discovery was more than just a bug as originally stated. However, there has been speculation that Microsoft may be forced to add the ability to remove Recall in the European Union, as the Digital Markets Act requires that removing pre-installed features in Windows 11 be allowed. The good news is that there will be such an opportunity. be available worldwide, not just in Europe.

Let’s remember this. take screenshots every few seconds and processes them locally using AI, creating a searchable catalog of sorts. This allows you to find items that users interacted with days or weeks ago using a simple text search. While Microsoft’s idea was a good one, its privacy flaws and forced implementation in Windows 11 soon sparked controversy.