How to Disable “Recall” Spyware on Windows 11 24H2: Protect Your Privacy.

Windows 11 24H2 introduced a controversial feature called “Recall,” which some users claim captures sensitive data such as credit card numbers, banking details, and other personal information. This data is reportedly sent to Microsoft servers, raising serious privacy concerns. If you’re concerned about your personal data and want to take control, this guide will show you how to disable Recall on your Windows 11 system.


What is Recall?

Recall is an embedded feature in Windows 11 designed to collect user activity data for diagnostics, troubleshooting, and system optimization. While Microsoft claims the data collection is anonymized, privacy advocates have raised alarms about the potential misuse of this feature.


Steps to Disable Recall

1. Disable “Recall” in Privacy Settings

  1. Open Settings:
    • Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to Privacy Settings:
    • Go to Privacy & security > Activity history.
  3. Turn Off Data Collection:
    • Disable the Send my activity history to Microsoft toggle.
    • Clear any activity history stored locally by clicking Clear history.

2. Use Group Policy Editor

Note: This method is available only on Pro and Enterprise editions of Windows.

  1. Open Group Policy Editor:
    • Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
  2. Navigate to Data Collection Settings:
    • Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds.
  3. Disable Recall:
    • Double-click Allow Telemetry, set it to Disabled, and click Apply.
  4. Restart Your PC:
    • Restart to apply the changes.

3. Modify the Registry

Warning: Be cautious when editing the registry. Create a backup before making changes.

  1. Open Registry Editor:
    • Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to the Data Collection Key:
    • Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection.
  3. Create or Modify Keys:
    • If the key DataCollection doesn’t exist, create it.
    • Add or modify the DWORD (32-bit) Value AllowTelemetry and set it to 0.
  4. Restart Your PC:
    • Restart to apply the changes.

4. Block Recall Through Firewall

  1. Open Windows Defender Firewall:
    • Search for Firewall & network protection in the Start menu.
  2. Create a New Outbound Rule:
    • Go to Advanced settings > Outbound Rules > New Rule.
    • Select Program and browse to the path of the suspected Recall service.
    • Block the connection and name the rule.
  3. Repeat for Inbound Rules:
    • Follow the same steps for Inbound Rules to ensure no data is sent.

5. Use Third-Party Privacy Tools

Several third-party tools are designed to block telemetry and data collection in Windows:

  • O&O ShutUp10++
  • WPD (Windows Privacy Dashboard)
  • Debotnet

These tools provide an easy way to disable telemetry features, including Recall.


Preventive Measures

  • Update Carefully:
    • Always read release notes and user feedback before installing updates.
  • Use a VPN:
    • A VPN can encrypt your data and obscure your activity from potential surveillance.
  • Audit Permissions:
    • Regularly review app and system permissions under Privacy & security in Settings.

Alternative option

To disable the “Recall” feature in Windows 11 24H2 using the Command Prompt (CMD), follow these steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
    • Press Win + S, type cmd, and in the search results, right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
  2. Execute the DISM Command:
    • In the Command Prompt window, enter the following command and press Enter: “`cmd DISM /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Recall
    • This command utilizes the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM) to disable the Recall feature. citeturn0search0
  3. Restart Your Computer:
    • After the command completes successfully, restart your PC to apply the changes.

To verify that Recall has been disabled, you can check its status by running:

“`cmd DISM /Online /Get-FeatureInfo /FeatureName:Recall


If the feature is disabled, the state will be displayed as "Disabled" in the output.

Microspy

While Recall is marketed as a feature to improve user experience, its invasive nature has raised valid privacy concerns. Disabling it requires a combination of built-in tools, registry tweaks, and third-party solutions. By following the steps outlined above, you can take control of your data and ensure your privacy is protected on Windows 11 24H2.

If Microsoft introduces further changes, stay vigilant and keep your system updated with the latest privacy practices.

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