How to Improve Recall Snapshots Filtering on Windows 11

What is Recall?

Windows 11’s Recall feature takes periodic screenshots of your display, building a searchable timeline of your computer activity. This visual history acts like a memory log of everything you do on your PC.

When Recall is active, you can temporarily pause it, filter apps and websites, delete your snapshots, and manage your history.

How is your data kept safe?

Recall snapshots remain secure because Windows stores them exclusively on your local hardware, protected by device encryption features like BitLocker. Filtering activity prompts Windows 11 to ask if anonymous sharing of blocked apps and sites is preferred to improve Recall.

Filtering triggers a prompt in Windows 11 asking to "Help improve Recall snapshots filtering." Opting in anonymously shares a list of the apps and sites blocked from Recall with Microsoft.

Why help improve Recall snapshots filtering?

Sharing this information teaches Microsoft which apps and websites people prefer to exclude. This makes the AI tool smarter and more useful for everyone.

What happens when you are done?

Preferences for sharing anonymous filtering data save automatically after completing these steps. Microsoft receives or stops receiving exclusion lists based on chosen settings.

How to change this in Settings

Managing Recall and snapshot settings happens conveniently through the Windows Settings app. Open Settings, then navigate to Privacy & security on the left menu. Selecting the Recall & snapshots tile on the right side reveals adjustable options.

1. Open the Windows Settings app by clicking the Start menu and selecting Settings, or press the Windows key + I to open Settings app.
2. Click on Privacy & security in the left menu.

3. On the right side, click the Recall & snapshots tile to see its settings.
4. Turn on the "Save snapshots" feature.
5. Select the "Help improve Recall snapshots filtering" tile to see more options.
6. Toggle the switch to On or Off depending on your preference.

Close the Settings window when finished.

How to change this using the Windows Registry

Administrators can alter Recall settings using the Windows Registry editor. Open the Registry editor and browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\A9SnapshotCapture. Right-clicking the A9SnapshotCapture folder allows modifications.

Adjustments also happen through the Windows Registry editor via these steps:

1. Open the Windows Registry and go to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\A9SnapshotCapture
2. Right-click on the SnapshotCapture folder.
3. Select New, then select DWORD (32-bit) Value.
4. Name the new file IsFilteringTelemetryEnabled.
5. Double-click IsFilteringTelemetryEnabled and set the value to 1 to turn it on, or 0 to turn it off.

Summary

The 'Help improve Recall snapshots filtering' option shares blocked apps and sites with Microsoft to improve the platform. Configuring this option via the Settings app or Windows Registry keeps all snapshots private on local hardware.

• What it does: It sends a list of apps and sites you blocked from being recorded to Microsoft.
• How to change it: You can use the Settings app or the Windows Registry.
• Your privacy: All snapshots stay on your device, and any data shared for improvement is anonymous.

Reference: Microsoft.com