Microsoft has confirmed the presence of a bug in the latest Windows 11 update that incorrectly displays an uninstall option for the Recall feature. Last week I reported on the ability to uninstall the controversial feature, seemingly a new feature. Alas, the listing was unintended, and the issue is set to be resolved in a forthcoming update.
Recall Feature and Its Controversy
The Recall AI tool, intended to capture screenshots of user activities, has been a controversial topic since its introduction. Upon its initial release, Recall on Copilot+ PCs triggered privacy concerns among users, leading to worries about data security. Due to these apprehensions, Microsoft temporarily suspended the feature.
With the 24H2 version of Windows 11, update KB5041865 inadvertently included the option to uninstall Recall within the Windows Features settings. Clarifying this, Brandon LeBlanc, senior product manager for Windows, told The Verge that the listing as a removable feature in the Control Panel was indeed a bug, and promised a fix in a future update.
Future of the Recall Feature
Despite this oversight, Microsoft plans to debut Recall for Windows Insiders on Copilot Plus PCs in October. To enhance user autonomy and address prior security issues, the feature will be opt-in rather than default.
Although Microsoft has yet to confirm the possibility of fully uninstalling Recall, the European Commission's Digital Markets Act might compel the company to provide such an option in EU versions of Windows 11, similar to the uninstallation option for Edge in the European Economic Area.
Microsoft has implemented substantial enhancements to the Recall feature to bolster user privacy and security. The feature now necessitates explicit user consent and incorporates robust security protocols to safeguard data accessibility to authorized individuals only. To further clarify the process, the onboarding experience has been refined. Recall has been integrated into the Windows Features list, conveniently accessible via the legacy Control Panel under Programs and Features.
