Key Points
- Windows 11 update mistakenly lists the Recall feature as uninstallable.
- Microsoft confirms the Recall feature listing is just a bug.
- Recall feature faces security concerns, delaying its full rollout.
- Opt-in, encrypted Recall feature set for October preview with Copilot Plus PCs.
Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update confused last week when the Recall feature appeared as an uninstallable option in the “Turn Windows features on or off” section of the Control Panel. However, Microsoft has clarified that this was merely a bug.
Microsoft says its Recall uninstall option in Windows 11 is just a bug. While the latest update to Windows 11 makes it look like Recall can be easily removed, Microsoft tells me it’s just a bug and a fix is coming. Details below 👇 https://t.co/84Uf5lTwGZ
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) September 2, 2024
Recall Feature Listed as Uninstallable: A Bug, Not a Feature
The unusual behavior was first reported by Deskmodder after the KB5041865 update rolled out in the Windows 11 24H2 version. The appearance of the Recall feature in the Windows Features list led many to believe that it could be easily removed.
Microsoft quickly responded, with Windows senior product manager Brandon LeBlanc confirming, “We are aware of an issue where the Recall feature is incorrectly listed as an option under the ‘Turn Windows features on or off’ dialog in the Control Panel. This will be fixed in an upcoming update.”
The Recall feature, which captures screenshots of nearly everything displayed or done on a computer, has already been a point of contention. Initially slated for release with Copilot Plus PCs in June, its launch was delayed after security researchers discovered significant vulnerabilities.
Security Concerns Delay Recall Feature’s Full Rollout
The Recall feature was supposed to be a major addition to Windows 11, but it has faced significant backlash due to privacy and security concerns.
Researchers found that the database storing these constant screenshots wasn’t encrypted, which made it a potential target for malware. This discovery led Microsoft to delay the Recall feature’s rollout to address these issues thoroughly.
To mitigate these risks, Microsoft has now made the Recall feature an opt-in option rather than enabling it by default.
Additionally, they are encrypting the database and requiring authentication via Windows Hello, further bolstering the feature’s security. Despite the delay, Microsoft plans to preview the Recall feature for Windows Insiders with Copilot Plus PCs in October.
Compliance with EU Regulations
Although Microsoft confirmed that the current listing of the Recall feature as an uninstallable feature was just a bug, there’s speculation about whether this might change in the future, particularly in Europe.
The European Commission’s Digital Markets Act could pressure Microsoft to offer an uninstall option for the Recall feature in EU copies of Windows 11.
This wouldn’t be unprecedented, as Microsoft has already been forced to add an uninstall option for the Edge browser in the European Economic Area (EEA), alongside the ability to remove the Bing-powered web search from the Start menu.
The company has yet to confirm whether it will eventually allow full uninstallation of the Recall feature, but the possibility remains open as regulatory pressures continue to evolve.
For now, users will need to wait for the upcoming Windows 11 update to see this bug addressed, while the full launch of the Recall feature remains on the horizon, albeit with added security measures.
