Random Screenshots

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