How to Enable Recall & Snapshots in Windows 11
Windows 11’s “Recall & Snapshots” feature lets you save snapshots of your activity. This article explains how you can turn the “Recall & Snapshots” feature on or off in Windows 11.
Enable Recall & Snapshots by opening Settings, navigating to Privacy & security, then Recall & snapshots, and toggling “Save snapshots” on. Ensure your Copilot+ PC meets the minimum requirements of 16GB RAM and 50GB free storage.
What is Recall & Snapshots?
Windows 11 Recall & Snapshots functions as your computer’s memory, capturing images of your on-screen activity. This feature helps you locate previously viewed items, even if you cannot remember where you encountered them. Recall & Snapshots provides a searchable history of your computer activity, making it simpler to retrieve past information.
Why would you use this? Imagine you saw something on your screen last week but can’t remember where. Recall helps you find it fast.
When Recall is active, your PC captures a snapshot every five seconds. Recall saves the image only if something on your screen has changed, a smart approach that saves storage space.
Do You Meet the Requirements?
Your PC needs these minimum specs to use Recall:
- A Copilot+ PC
- 16 GB RAM
- 8 logical processors
- 256 GB storage capacity
You need at least 50 GB of free storage to start using Recall. Your PC will stop saving snapshots automatically if the free space drops below 25 GB.
Method 1Turn Recall On or Off Using Settings
You can turn Windows 11 Recall & Snapshots on or off using the built-in Settings app. Navigate to Privacy & security, then select Recall & snapshots. This method lets you manage the feature directly from your main Windows settings menu for quick control.
- Open the Settings app. Click the Start menu and select Settings. Or press the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
- When Settings opens, click Privacy & security on the left side.
- On the right, click Recall & snapshots to open its settings.
- Find the “Save snapshots” tile. Toggle the switch to turn snapshots On or Off.
- Close the Settings app when you’re done.
Method 2Turn Recall On or Off Using Group Policy Editor
For more control over turning off Windows 11 Recall & Snapshots, you can use the Local Group Policy Editor. This method requires administrator rights and involves navigating through User Configuration, Administrative Templates, and Windows Components. It’s a more advanced way to manage the Recall feature if you need finer control over its settings.
- ⚠️ Admin privileges required. Open the Local Group Policy Editor. Search for “Edit group policy” in the Start menu and click it.
- Navigate to these folders in order:
- User Configuration
- Administrative Templates
- Windows Components
- Windows AI
- On the right side, find and double-click “Turn off Saving Snapshots for Windows”.
- A window opens. Choose one of these options:
- Not Configured (default) – Same as Disabled. Snapshots are saved.
- Enabled – Windows stops saving snapshots. You can’t search or browse your activity history.
- Disabled – Windows saves snapshots. You can search and browse your activity history.
- Click OK to save your changes.
- You may need to restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
Summary
Windows 11 Recall & Snapshots is a helpful feature that automatically saves pictures of your screen, allowing you to search for past content. You can turn it on or off using either Settings or the Group Policy Editor.
Reference: Microsoft
How do I turn off Recall and snapshots in 🪟 Windows 11?
You can turn on or off saving snapshots at any time by going to Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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