Random Screenshots

acavazos 0 Reputation points
2026-10-13T20:07:08.28+00:00

Microsoft is taking random screenshots of my works. Help me stop this setting.

Windows for home | Other | Apps

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  1. Stefan Blom 354.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-10-14T08:47:06.8066667+00:00

    Microsoft is taking random screenshots of my works. Help me stop this setting.

    When do you see this happening? Are you doing something in particular, are you running a particular app?

    A few more details may help us diagnose the issue you have encountered.

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  2. Xavier-D 13,880 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-10-14T06:45:37.89+00:00

    Hello acavazos

    I understand that the AI-generated answer focused mainly on Windows Recall.

    Since Recall & snapshots does not appear on your computer, I’ll continue helping you investigate what else may be taking or saving these screenshots.

    Please try the following:

    1. Open Snipping Tool, select the three-dot menu, and open Settings.
    2. If Automatically save original screenshots or a similarly named automatic-save option is enabled, turn it off.
    3. Open File Explorer and locate one of the unwanted screenshot files.
    4. Right-select the file, choose Properties, and share the following information:
      • The folder location
      • The file name and file type
      • The date and time it was created
    5. Let us know whether anything appears when the screenshot is taken, such as a Snipping Tool notification, camera icon, Xbox Game Bar message, or an icon near the clock.
    6. Please also confirm whether you use Windows 10 or Windows 11, and whether this is a personal or work/school-managed computer.

    The file location is especially helpful. For example, a screenshot stored under Pictures\Screenshots, OneDrive\Pictures\Screenshots, or Videos\Captures may help identify which feature or application created it.

    If this is a work or school-managed computer, please do not remove any monitoring, security, or remote-support software. Once you share the details above, we can help narrow down the source without repeating the Recall troubleshooting.

    Feel free reply back to this post and update me on this issue, I'll be happy to help.

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  3. AI answer

    2026-10-13T20:07:35.9033333+00:00

    If Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots appears on your PC, turn Save snapshots off there to stop Windows Recall from taking periodic screen snapshots.

    Stop and remove the snapshots

    1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
    2. Select Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots.
    3. Set Save snapshots to Off.
    4. Approve the change with Windows Hello when prompted.
    5. In the same page, use the snapshot-deletion controls to delete all existing snapshots, or delete those from a selected time period. ^1^

    For immediate temporary protection, select the Recall icon in the system tray near the clock and choose the pause option. When snapshots are being saved, that icon changes appearance; it is absent when Save snapshots is off. ^2^

    To remove Recall completely:

    1. Search Windows for Turn Windows features on or off.
    2. Open it and remove/disable Recall.
    3. Restart Windows if requested. ^2^

    Recall is available only on Copilot+ PCs and must be opted into for each Windows user. Its snapshots are encrypted and stored locally; Recall does not send them to Microsoft or third parties. ^2^

    If “Recall & snapshots” is not present

    That indicates the reported behavior has not been identified as Recall. Check:

    • Whether a screenshot file is actually being created, and note its folder and timestamp.
    • Whether a screenshot or camera icon appears in the system tray when it happens.
    • Settings > Apps > Installed apps for screen-recording, monitoring, remote-support, or employer-installed software.
    • If this is a managed work computer, contact the organization’s IT administrator before removing management or security software.

    The Snipping Tool normally captures only when invoked—for example, through Print Screen or Windows + Shift + S—so its appearance alone does not establish that periodic Recall snapshots are being saved.

    References

    1. Manage your Recall snapshots and disk space | Microsoft Support
    2. Privacy and control over your Recall experience | Microsoft Support
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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