Recall is the Windows 11 feature that saves snapshots of your screen so you can find later what you have seen. It cannot be found, the Windows + J shortcut does nothing, or snapshot saving refuses to turn on? Recall depends on strict hardware and security requirements: most cases are explained by one of them.
Problem
- Recall appears neither in the Start menu nor with Windows + J.
- The Recall settings page is missing or greyed out.
- Recall refuses to start or to authenticate.
- Snapshots are no longer saved.
Observe before acting
| What you see | Most likely cause | Step |
|---|---|---|
| PC not sold as a Copilot+ PC | Incompatible hardware | Step 1 |
| Recall missing on a personal Copilot+ PC | Optional feature removed | Step 2 |
| Activation refused, or snapshots paused | Not enough disk space | Step 3 |
| Device encryption shown as off in Settings | Device Encryption or BitLocker turned off | Step 4 |
| Recall does not let you in | Windows Hello (Enhanced Sign-in Security) not set up | Step 5 |
| Recall opens but saves nothing | Snapshots turned off or paused | Step 6 |
| PC provided by a company or school | Recall removed by default by the organization | Special cases |
Step 1: check that the PC is compatible
When to use it: always first.
Suggested solution
Microsoft states that Recall requires at least:
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| PC type | Copilot+ PC meeting the Secured-core standard |
| NPU (neural processing unit) | 40 TOPS |
| Memory | 16 GB of RAM |
| Processor | 8 logical processors |
| Storage | 256 GB capacity |
Recall cannot be added to a PC that does not meet these requirements: a recent PC without a 40 TOPS NPU will not have access to it, whatever the Windows 11 version.
Expected result: you know whether your PC can use Recall. If not, the following steps do not apply.
Rollback: none, this is just a check.
Step 2: turn the optional feature back on
When to use it: personal Copilot+ PC on which Recall has disappeared (removed by you, by a "cleaning" tool or by another user).
Suggested solution
- In the taskbar search box, type Turn Windows features on or off.
- Check Recall and confirm.
- Restart the PC.
Expected result: Recall reappears in Start > All apps and responds to Windows + J.
Rollback: uncheck the same box and restart. Warning: Microsoft specifies that removing Recall deletes all previously saved snapshots.
Step 3: free up disk space
When to use it: activation is refused, or saving stopped on its own.
Suggested solution
According to Microsoft, you need at least 50 GB of free space to turn on Recall, and snapshot saving automatically pauses when less than 25 GB remains. Check the free space on C: in File Explorer, then free up room: see C drive full on Windows: free up space safely (French guide).
Expected result: above these thresholds, activation or saving resumes.
Rollback: not applicable.
Step 4: turn on Device Encryption or BitLocker
When to use it: encryption was turned off, or you use a local account (Microsoft specifies that device encryption is then not turned on automatically).
Suggested solution
- First of all, make sure you can retrieve the recovery key: it will be requested if the PC detects a significant change at startup. See BitLocker recovery screen at startup: finding the key (French guide).
- Open Settings > Privacy & security > Device encryption and turn it on. If this page does not exist, device encryption is not available on this PC or your account is not an administrator; on Windows Pro, BitLocker can be used instead.
Expected result: encryption is shown as on, and Recall no longer blocks on this point.
Rollback: encryption can be turned off in the same place, but Recall will no longer work.
Step 5: set up Windows Hello with Enhanced Sign-in Security
When to use it: Recall asks you to authenticate and fails, or says Windows Hello must be set up.
Suggested solution
Recall requires enrollment in Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) with at least one biometric method (face or fingerprint).
- Open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and set up facial recognition or fingerprint.
- Under Additional settings, check the state of Enhanced sign-in security (Windows 11 24H2 and later).
Important: Microsoft states that this enhanced security does not support external cameras, and that turning it off lets you use a non-compatible external webcam or fingerprint reader. If you turned it off for that reason, Recall no longer meets its requirements: use the PC's built-in sensor.
If facial recognition itself does not work, see Windows Hello facial recognition unavailable on Windows 11 (French guide).
Expected result: Recall accepts your face or fingerprint and opens.
Rollback: a sign-in method can be removed in the same options.
Step 6: Recall opens but saves nothing
When to use it: Recall works but the timeline stays empty or stops.
Suggested solution
- Saving is turned off by default: open Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots and turn on Save snapshots.
- If the Recall icon in the system tray has a slash through it, saving was paused with Pause until tomorrow: click the icon, then Resume snapshots.
- Check that the app or website concerned is not in the list of filtered items, on the same settings page.
Expected result: new snapshots appear in the timeline.
Rollback: saving is turned off in the same place.
As a last resort, Advanced settings > Reset Recall resets the feature, but deletes all your snapshots.
Special cases
| Situation | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Company or school PC | Microsoft states that Recall is removed by default on managed devices until the administrator allows it. Greyed-out options: only the IT department can act. |
| Browser whose websites are not filtered | Website filtering depends on the browser (Edge, Firefox, Opera, Chrome, and Chromium-based browsers 124 or later for private browsing). |
Final check
- ☐ The PC is a Copilot+ PC meeting the requirements.
- ☐ At least 50 GB free for activation.
- ☐ Device Encryption or BitLocker on, recovery key backed up.
- ☐ Windows Hello set up with a biometric method.
- ☐ Save snapshots turned on.
Sources
- Microsoft Support: Retrace your steps with Recall
- Microsoft Learn: Manage Recall for Windows clients
- Microsoft Learn: Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security
- Microsoft Support: Device Encryption in Windows
Still having the problem?
Reply to this topic with the exact PC model, the Windows version (winver), the free space on C:, the device encryption status, the Windows Hello methods set up (without any personal information) and the exact message displayed by Recall.