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Disable Recall

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script disables the Recall feature to address serious privacy concerns.

Recall is an AI feature introduced in Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs 1 2 3 4 5. It is designed to capture and store snapshots of your screen and analyze them 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. This feature allows users to browse and search their past activities, such as images and text 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.

Recall includes a component called 'screenray'. This component analyzes the snapshot's contents and lets you interact with elements within it 3 5 6. This script will also disable the screenray feature 6.

This feature is enabled by default, so Windows will capture and store screen snapshots 2 5 6. They remain on your computer for months by default 4.

Recall captures frequent screenshots, as frequent as multiple times during a minute 1 2 4. These screenshots may include all visible content such as app data, websites, images, and documents 2 5. It may even include sensitive information like passwords and bank account numbers 2 3. The data is indexed, and the indexes are stored locally on your computer 5.

This feature raises significant security and privacy concerns. Experts sometimes describe this feature as a 'privacy nightmare' 4 7 or 'keylogger' 4 due to these concerns. The privacy risks associated with this feature include:

  • Misuse: This data is stored locally on your computer 1 2 5 7. It poses a risk of unauthorized access to your sensitive and private data 4 7. Potential threats include malicious attackers, state actors, colleagues, or family members who could misuse this information for identity theft, financial crime, phishing, or coercion.
  • Microsoft data collection: Microsoft's data collection policies may change. As Mozilla expressed, this raises concerns about potential data sharing with law enforcement or the use of the data for targeted advertising or AI training in the future 7.
  • Storing sensitive data: Microsoft does not perform content moderation on the snapshots 2 3 4 7. It means that sensitive information such as passwords or financial account numbers are visible and stored 2 3, posing a significant privacy and security risk.
  • Opt-in: The feature is opt-in by default 2 6, and users can only opt-out of certain sites if they are using Microsoft Edge 3. This limits user control over their privacy.
  • Lack of transparency: While Microsoft states that the snapshots are not sent to their servers 2 7 and that all analysis is conducted locally 1 2 3 7. However, Microsoft has not specified whether it collects the results of these analyses or any related diagnostic data. United Kingdom's data protection agency finds this lack of transparency worrying 4 7.
  • Language model vulnerabilities: Language models susceptibility to attacks like prompt engineering underlines its security risks 8. More about security vulnerabilities: Attacks on language models.

This script configures the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot!DisableAIDataAnalysis registry key 6.

By running this script, you enhance your privacy by preventing the storage and analysis of snapshots on your device 6, thereby mitigating the associated risks.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Disable OS data collection category. This category configures Windows using 153 scripts. These scripts are organized in 33 categories. The category includes 14 subscripts and 13 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. Read more on category page ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Disable Recall.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script​

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide

  1. Click on Start menu

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot!DisableAIDataAnalysis"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot' /v 'DisableAIDataAnalysis' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code​

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot!DisableAIDataAnalysis"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot' /v 'DisableAIDataAnalysis' /f 2>$null"

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