How to Exclude Websites from Recall Snapshots in Windows 11

Recall snapshots in Windows 11 version 24H2 take continuous screenshots of your desktop so you can search your past computer activity later. Excluding specific websites from these snapshots stops Windows from recording sensitive pages like online banking, private chats, and password screens.

You can block these sites from your search history by adding their web addresses to a filter list in your privacy settings. This keeps your personal browsing private while letting the feature run normally for the rest of your apps.

Which Browsers Work with This Feature?

• Microsoft Edge: Blocks websites and private browsing activity
• Firefox: Blocks websites and private browsing activity
• Opera: Blocks websites and private browsing activity
• Google Chrome: Blocks websites and private browsing activity
• Other Chromium-based browsers: Can filter private browsing activity but cannot block specific websites

Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Opera, and Google Chrome fully support excluding websites and private browsing activity from Recall snapshots. Other Chromium-based browsers can filter out private browsing sessions, but they cannot block specific individual websites from appearing in your visual timeline. Most popular web browsers work with this Windows 11 feature, giving you good control over your browsing privacy.

• Filtering specific websites only works fully in browsers like Microsoft Edge or Chrome.
• Private browsing sessions won’t be saved by Recall in supported browsers.
• When you open Recall and click the Now button, it shows your current screen without saving a new snapshot.

How to Exclude Websites from Recall Snapshots

To exclude specific websites from Recall snapshots, open the Settings ⚙️ app and go to Privacy & security, then select Recall & snapshots. Make sure save snapshots is turned on, scroll down to the filter lists section, and click add website. This process stops Windows from taking pictures of sensitive web pages you visit, keeping your personal browsing history out of your visual timeline.

1. Open Settings ⚙️: Click the Start menu ⊞ (Windows icon at the bottom left) and select Settings, or press Windows key + I on your keyboard. Learn more about opening Settings
2. Go to Privacy & Security: In the left menu, click Privacy & security.
3. Open Recall & Snapshots: On the right side, find and click Recall & snapshots. Make sure “Save snapshots” is turned on.
4. Add Websites to Filter: Scroll to the Filter lists section and click the Add website button. A box will appear where you can type the website address (for example, example.com).
5. Confirm: After typing the website, click Add. That website will now be excluded from Recall snapshots.

Windows 11 Privacy & Security menu in Settings

Adding websites to filter in Recall & Snapshots settings (Image: Microsoft)

Type website name and click Add to exclude it (Image: Microsoft)

Windows 11 Recall will no longer save snapshots of websites added to the filter list. This exclusion prevents sensitive browsing history from being recorded. For example, adding "mybank.com" to the list causes Recall to ignore any activity on that site, ensuring financial information remains private.

Why Use This Feature?

• Keep your private or sensitive websites out of Recall's saved snapshots.
• Control what information your PC stores about your browsing history.
• Improve your privacy and feel more secure when using your computer.

Excluding websites from Recall snapshots keeps your private and sensitive web activity out of your PC's visual timeline. Taking control of this feature prevents unwanted records of personal habits, banking details, or private research from appearing in your saved snapshots. This extra step improves your overall privacy and helps you feel much more secure while using your computer every day.

Summary

Windows 11's Recall feature saves snapshots of your screen, but excluding specific websites keeps sensitive browsing private through adjustments in modern browsers and Windows settings.