Microsoft states that the Recall uninstall option in Windows 11 is simply a bug.

A recent update to Windows 11 made it seem like users could easily remove the upcoming Recall feature, but Microsoft has clarified that this is just a bug and a fix is on the way. Deskmodder noticed the change in the latest 24H2 version of Windows 11, where the KB5041865 update appeared to allow users to uninstall Recall via the Windows Features section.

Windows senior product manager Brandon LeBlanc confirmed to The Verge, “We are aware of an issue where Recall is incorrectly listed as an option under the ‘Turn Windows features on or off’ dialog in Control Panel. This will be fixed in an upcoming update.”

The Recall AI feature, which captures screenshots of nearly everything on your computer, was originally intended to launch with Copilot Plus PCs in June. However, Microsoft delayed it after security researchers raised concerns. Microsoft now plans to preview Recall with Windows Insiders on Copilot Plus PCs in October, after implementing significant changes.

Initially, security researchers discovered that the Recall database, which stores snapshots of your computer’s activity, was unencrypted and could be vulnerable to malware. In response, Microsoft is making Recall an opt-in feature, encrypting the database, and adding authentication through Windows Hello.

When asked if Windows users would be able to fully uninstall Recall, Microsoft only confirmed that its appearance in the Windows Features list was a mistake. However, Microsoft may eventually need to provide a Recall uninstall option in EU versions of Windows 11 to comply with the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act. The company has already added an option to uninstall Edge and remove Bing-powered web search in the Start menu for users in the European Economic Area (EEA).