How to Disable Windows 11 Recall AI Feature

Windows 11 Recall represents Microsoft’s ambitious foray into AI-powered personal computing assistance. This sophisticated feature operates by continuously capturing screenshots of your desktop activities at regular intervals, creating a comprehensive visual timeline of your computing sessions. The primary objective is to enable users to navigate through their digital history seamlessly, allowing them to locate previously viewed content, resume interrupted tasks, and retrieve information without relying on traditional search methods.

The technology leverages advanced machine learning algorithms running on specialized Neural Processing Units (NPUs) found exclusively in Copilot+ PCs. These dedicated AI chips ensure that the processing occurs locally on your device, maintaining privacy while delivering real-time performance. However, despite its innovative capabilities, many users prefer to maintain complete control over their privacy and system resources.

Table of Contents

Why Users Choose to Disable Recall

Privacy and Security Concerns

The concept of continuous screen recording raises legitimate privacy concerns among users. While Microsoft has implemented robust security measures, including local processing and encryption, the fundamental nature of the feature involves capturing potentially sensitive information displayed on screen. This includes personal documents, financial information, private communications, and confidential work materials.

System Resource Management

Recall operations require considerable system resources, including storage space for screenshot archives, processing power for AI analysis, and memory allocation for real-time monitoring. Users with limited storage capacity or those prioritizing system performance for demanding applications may prefer to allocate these resources elsewhere.

Corporate and Compliance Requirements

Organizations operating under strict data governance policies may require the complete removal of features that capture screen content. Regulatory compliance in sectors such as healthcare, finance, and legal services often necessitates precise control over data collection mechanisms.

1. Disabling Recall Through Group Policy Editor

The Group Policy Editor provides the most comprehensive method for completely removing Recall functionality from Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog
Type gpedit.msc and press Enter
If prompted by User Account Control, click “Yes” to proceed
In the Group Policy Editor window, expand the left navigation panel
Follow this path: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows AI
The Windows AI folder contains all policies related to artificial intelligence features
Within the Windows AI folder, find the policy named “Allow Recall to be enabled“
This policy specifically controls the availability and functionality of the Recall feature
Double-click on “Allow Recall to be enabled” to open the policy configuration window
Select the “Disabled” radio button
This setting will completely remove Recall components from the system
Click “Apply” followed by “OK” to save the configuration
Restart your computer to implement the policy changes
Upon reboot, all Recall-related components will be removed from the system

Understanding Policy States

Not Configured (Default): Recall components remain available but inactive
Enabled: Allows users to activate Recall through system settings
Disabled: Completely removes Recall components and related system files

2. Registry Editor Approach for Windows 11 Home

Windows 11 Home users lack access to the Group Policy Editor, making the Registry Editor the primary method for Recall management.

Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog
Type regedit and press EnterAccept the User Account Control prompt to proceed with administrative privileges
Use the address bar or navigate manually to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsAI
If the The WindowsAI folder doesn’t exist, you’ll need to create it
Right-click on Windows folder and select New → Key
Name the new key WindowsAI
Navigate to the newly created folder
Right-click in the empty space of the right panel
Select New → DWORD (32-bit) Value
Name the value exactly: AllowRecallEnablement
Double-click on AllowRecallEnablement
Set the Value Data to 0 (zero)
Ensure the Base is set to “Hexadecimal”
Click “OK” to save the configuration
Close the Registry Editor
Restart your computer to activate the modifications

Registry Safety Considerations

Always create a system restore point before modifying the registry. Incorrect registry modifications can cause system instability or boot failures. Consider exporting the registry branch before making changes to enable easy restoration if needed.

3. PowerShell Command for Enterprise Management

System administrators managing multiple devices can utilize PowerShell for efficient Recall management across enterprise environments.

Right-click on the Start button
Select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or “Terminal (Admin)”
Accept User Account Control permissions
Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName "Recall" -Remove
The command will display progress information
Wait for the successful completion confirmation
Restart the system when prompted

This PowerShell method integrates seamlessly with Group Policy deployment, Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, and other enterprise management tools. Administrators can create scripts for automated deployment across multiple systems.

Verification and Troubleshooting

Confirming Recall Removal

After implementing any of these methods and restarting your system:

Open Settings (Windows key + I)
Navigate to Privacy & Security
Verify that the Recall-related options are absent
Examine the system tray and taskbar
Recall icons and controls should be completely removed
Check for Recall-related folders in user directories
Verify that screenshot storage locations are cleared

Common Issues and Solutions

Issue: Group Policy changes don’t take effect immediately.

Solution: Ensure you’ve restarted the computer and run gpupdate /force in Command Prompt

Issue: Registry modifications seem ineffective.

Solution: Verify the exact registry path spelling and ensure the DWORD value is set correctly to 0

Issue: PowerShell command fails with a permissions error.

Solution: Ensure PowerShell is running with full administrator privileges

Re-enabling Recall (If Desired)

Should you decide to restore Recall functionality:

Group Policy Method

Return to the “Allow Recall to be enabled” policy
Change the setting to “Not Configured” or “Enabled.”
Restart the system

Registry Method

Delete the AllowRecallEnablement value or set it to 1
Restart the computer

PowerShell Method

Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName "Recall"

Disabling Windows 11 Recall provides users with complete control over their system’s AI features and privacy settings. Whether motivated by privacy concerns, resource optimization, or regulatory compliance, these methods ensure thorough removal of the Recall functionality.

The choice between Group Policy, Registry modification, or PowerShell depends on your Windows edition and technical comfort level.