Microsoft’s latest update to Windows 11 has drawn attention after users discovered what appeared to be an option to uninstall the Recall feature, a discovery that the tech giant has since clarified as a mistake.
The erroneous inclusion was first identified by Deskmodder, a Dutch blog, which reported that the 24H2 version of Windows 11, featuring update KB5041865, presented the option to remove Recall through the Windows Features menu.
In response to this discovery, Microsoft has stated that the appearance of Recall in the ‘Turn Windows features on or off’ section of the Control Panel is not intentional.
Brandon LeBlanc, a senior product manager at Windows, confirmed that the listing was a bug and assured users that it would be rectified in a forthcoming update.
The Recall feature, designed to capture screenshots of almost everything displayed on a user’s computer, has been controversial since its inception. Initially slated for release with Copilot Plus PCs in June, its launch was delayed following concerns from security researchers.
These experts pointed to noteworthy vulnerabilities, including the fact that the Recall database, which stores these snapshots, was unencrypted, leaving it open to exploitation by malicious software.
In light of these security issues, Microsoft has overhauled the feature, making it opt-in rather than default, encrypting the database, and introducing authentication through Windows Hello.
Despite these changes, there are still questions on whether users will eventually be able to uninstall Recall completely. Microsoft has indicated that, for now, the appearance of this option in the latest update is incorrect.
However, the company may face regulatory issues, particularly from the European Union, which could force it to provide an uninstall option in compliance with the Digital Markets Act.
Similar to the way Microsoft has been required to offer an option to uninstall the Edge browser and remove Bing-powered web search in the Start menu for users in the European Economic Area, the future of Recall’s uninstallability could hinge on these legal requirements.
Microsoft is currently preparing to preview the revamped Recall feature to Windows Insiders in October.
Staff Writer