In a recent turn of events, the latest builds of Windows 11 revealed an unexpected option allowing users to uninstall the forthcoming Windows Recall feature. This discovery sparked intrigue among users, but Microsoft has since clarified that this option was merely a glitch. According to a statement from the company, the ability to remove Recall will not be available when the feature officially launches on Copilot+ PCs.
Microsoft's Clarification
Brandon LeBlanc, a senior product manager at Microsoft, addressed the situation, stating, “We are aware of an issue where Recall is incorrectly listed as an option under the ‘Turn Windows features on or off’ dialog in Control Panel. This will be fixed in an upcoming update.” This clarification comes on the heels of significant user backlash earlier this year, which led to the postponement of Recall’s launch.
Disabling Windows Recall
Despite the confusion surrounding its uninstall option, users will still have the ability to disable Windows Recall if they choose not to utilize it. Privacy and security concerns have loomed large over the feature, particularly after it was revealed that while Recall does not upload data to the cloud or share it with third parties, the information it collects is stored unencrypted in a local directory. This raised alarms about potential vulnerabilities to unauthorized access.
Commitment to Security
In light of these concerns, Microsoft has committed to enhancing the security of Recall before its public preview, which is now expected to commence in October. However, the official rollout of the feature may not occur until sometime in 2025, as the company aims to ensure a secure and user-friendly experience.
