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Disable Recall

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Impact: Medium

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Moderate

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

    This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

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

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

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.

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.

This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Recall" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Recall" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Disable Recall
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
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"
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Recall" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

Similar Guides​

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The guide below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

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Same Goal​

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Disable targeted advertisements and marketing
Disable biometrics (breaks fingerprinting/facial login)
Disable Windows Insider Program
Disable cloud sync
Disable cloud-based speech recognition
Opt out of Windows privacy consent
Disable Windows feedback collection
Disable text and handwriting data collection
Disable device sensors
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Disable Website Access of Language List
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Disable typing feedback (sends typing data)
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About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process