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To limit what Windows AI can access, manage each feature separately: turn off or filter Recall snapshots, disable file search or file reading in Copilot, avoid sharing screenshots or browser-tab context, and review Windows app permissions. These controls govern different kinds of data and are not available on every Windows 11 device; Recall, for example, is documented for eligible Copilot+ PCs.
Control what Recall saves
Recall is an optional Windows feature for Copilot+ PCs. Its snapshot controls affect what Recall saves; they do not govern Copilot’s file access or ordinary app permissions. Microsoft says Recall content is processed and stored locally and is not shared with Microsoft or other users on the device, while also noting that some Windows diagnostic data may be provided according to privacy settings. That is not a guarantee that every Windows signal stays on the device. See Microsoft’s Recall privacy and control documentation.
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Turn saving off or pause it
- Open Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots.
- Turn off Save snapshots to stop future snapshots. Windows Hello confirmation is required for changes to Recall settings.
- For a temporary pause, select the Recall icon in the system tray and choose Pause until tomorrow. Microsoft says saving resumes at midnight.
Filter apps, websites and sensitive information
In Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots, add apps and websites to the filter lists. Website filtering requires a supported browser and limits whether foreground-tab content may appear in Recall. It does not hide a visit from the browser, website, internet provider or an organization that monitors activity. Microsoft says sensitive-information filtering is on by default and is intended to prevent snapshots when potentially sensitive information is detected; it is a filter, not a guarantee that every sensitive item will be recognized. Details are in Microsoft’s Recall filtering guidance.
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To remove existing content, use Recall’s controls to delete a snapshot, a time range, all snapshots, or snapshots associated with a selected app or website. You can then add that app or site to the filter list to limit future captures. Microsoft also documents retention choices of 30, 60, 90 or 180 days, or unlimited; storage caps vary with device storage capacity. These are configurable product settings, not statistics about typical users. See Microsoft’s snapshot and disk-space instructions.
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To remove the feature, search Windows for Turn Windows features on or off, uncheck Recall, and restart. Microsoft says removing Recall deletes its saved snapshots. Resetting Recall in its Advanced settings also deletes snapshots and resets Recall settings. For steps and availability details, see Microsoft’s Recall overview.
Limit files and screen context shared with Copilot
Copilot’s file controls are separate from Recall. In the Copilot app, open Account > Settings > File Search and File Read and turn off whichever access you do not want. Microsoft says file search can find and open device files, including synced OneDrive files, and answer questions about them. Listed supported formats include DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, TXT, PDF and JSON. See Microsoft’s Copilot on Windows guidance.
Screen content is another path: you can explicitly capture and submit all or part of your screen to ask Copilot about it. Copilot may also use open-tab context with permission, and Microsoft says that context is used only in that conversation. If you do not want to share content, do not submit a screenshot or grant tab context unnecessarily.
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Manage Copilot memories and chat history
In the updated Copilot app described by Microsoft, open Settings > Personalization to manage saved memories, shared experiences and web search. The updated app became available on August 18, 2026; menu names may differ in older versions. Turning off Saved memories stops new memories from being saved but does not delete existing ones. To remove those, choose Manage > Delete all memories. Chat history has separate deletion controls. See Microsoft’s Copilot privacy controls.
Restrict camera, location and other app permissions
For device capabilities, open Settings > Privacy & security and select a category such as Camera, Location or Contacts. Turn off general access or restrict individual apps where Windows offers that option. These switches control app capabilities, not Recall snapshots or Copilot’s file and screen-context settings.
Some desktop apps may not appear in Windows’ permission lists and may not be affected by the Windows app-permission switch. Check the app’s own privacy or permission settings too. Microsoft explains the distinction in Windows privacy settings that apps use.
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Understand when an AI action goes online
Local processing does not mean every AI-related action stays offline. Microsoft says Click to Do analyzes screen content locally, but choosing an action such as Search the web or Visual search sends the selected content to an online provider. Consider what is visible before selecting an online action. Details are in Microsoft’s Click to Do documentation.
Which control should you change?
| Control | What it changes |
|---|---|
| Turn off Recall saving | Stops future Recall snapshots. |
| Pause Recall | Temporarily pauses saving; Microsoft documents resumption at midnight when using “Pause until tomorrow.” |
| Filter Recall apps or websites | Narrows what Recall captures; does not prevent other parties from knowing about a site visit. |
| Delete Recall snapshots | Removes selected existing snapshots, a time range, all snapshots, or content associated with an app or site. |
| Remove Recall | Removes the optional feature and, according to Microsoft, its saved snapshots. |
| Disable Copilot file access | Limits Copilot file search or file reading, independently of Recall. |
| Decline screen or tab sharing | Avoids providing Copilot with user-submitted screenshots or permitted tab context. |
| Change Copilot personalization or history | Controls memories, shared experiences, web search and chat history through their separate settings. |
| Change Windows app permissions | Restricts capabilities such as camera or location for apps covered by those Windows controls. |
Availability can depend on device eligibility, account, organization policy, region or software rollout. Recall is documented for Copilot+ PCs, and organizations can restrict it. The updated Copilot controls apply to the updated app. If a setting described here is missing, check the feature’s current settings page and whether your organization manages the device; Microsoft’s support pages do not establish one universal availability matrix for every control.
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