A bug in the latest Windows 11 update allows users to uninstall the controversial Recall feature. (Image: Microsoft)
Microsoft has confirmed an error in the last Windows 11 Update which allows users to uninstall the controversial Recall feature. This flaw, which is found in the Windows 11 24H2 update (KB5041865), was first reported by Dutch tech blog Deskmodder, who discovered that the Recover feature could be removed from the Windows Features section in Control Panel.
The Recall feature, designed to capture and store screenshots of almost everything that happens on a Windows computer, has sparked debate since its announcement. It was initially planned to launch with Copilot Plus PCs in June, but the release was delayed after security researchers raised concerns about the feature’s privacy implications.
Microsoft responds to the error
Microsoft has acknowledged the issue, with Brandon LeBlanc, senior product manager for Windows, stating: “We are aware of an issue where the Recovery option appears incorrectly in the ‘Turn Windows features on or off’ dialog box in Control Panel. This will be fixed in an upcoming update.”
The company has assured users that this bug is not intentional and will be fixed soon. However, the controversy surrounding the Recall function has kept it in the spotlight.
Why the recall function is controversial
The Recall feature captures screenshots of a computer’s screen every few seconds and stores them in a database. Initially, this database was not encrypted, raising alarm among security experts who warned that it could be vulnerable to malware attacks. In response, Microsoft made significant changes, including including the feature as an option, encrypting the database, and incorporating Windows Hello authentication.
Despite these changes, the feature remains controversial, especially in Europe. Under the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act, Microsoft could be forced to offer an option to uninstall the recovery feature in EU versions of Windows 11similar to how the company allowed users to remove Edge and Bing-based web search in the European Economic Area (EEA).
As Microsoft prepares to preview Recall with Windows Insiders on Copilot Plus PCs in October, users are eager to see how the company will address these ongoing privacy concerns and regulatory challenges.
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