A group called the Centre for Digital Rights and Democracy is sounding the alarm about Windows 11. They're actually urging people not to upgrade and to stick with Windows 10 instead if privacy matters to you. This isn't some random tech blogger being paranoid—these are data protection experts who spend their lives thinking about this stuff.
The whole thing was first spotted by PC-WELT, a German tech publication, and it's been making waves ever since. So what's the problem? Why are privacy experts telling us to avoid Microsoft's latest operating system? Let's break it down.
The Big Problem: Windows 11's Recall Feature
The main issue centers around something called Recall. It's an AI-powered feature in Windows 11 that automatically takes screenshots of everything you do on your computer. Yes, you read that right—everything.
Here's how Microsoft describes it: Recall helps you find things you've seen before by taking snapshots of your screen. You can then search through these snapshots using natural language. Can't remember where you saved that file? Just describe what you were looking at and Recall finds it.
Sounds kinda useful on the surface, right? Like having a photographic memory for your computer. But when you actually think about what this means, it gets scary real fast.
This feature is constantly running in the background, capturing your screen at regular intervals. That means it's recording:
- Every password you type (even if you hide it behind dots)
- Every banking website you visit
- Every medical record you view
- Every private message you read
- Every embarrassing search you make
- Every document you work on
- Everything.
The experts at the Centre for Digital Rights and Democracy point out that this creates a massive security risk. All that sensitive information—passwords, banking details, medical data—is being saved on your computer. If someone gains access to your machine, or if the data gets transmitted somewhere it shouldn't, you're completely exposed.
Is This Even Legal?
That's the million-dollar question. The Centre for Digital Rights and Democracy believes this continuous recording might actually violate the GDPR, which is Europe's strict data protection law.
Under GDPR, companies need a valid reason to collect personal data. They need your consent. They need to tell you exactly what they're collecting and why. They need to give you control over it.
Does Recall do any of that? Not really. It's on by default (at least in some configurations). It's constantly recording. The data is stored on your device, but who really controls it? Can Microsoft access it? Can law enforcement? Can hackers?
These aren't hypothetical questions. They're real concerns that data protection experts are raising. And they're not alone. Privacy advocates across Europe and the US have been sounding the alarm about Recall since it was announced.
The GDPR angle is particularly important because it could have real consequences for Microsoft. If regulators decide Recall violates the law, Microsoft could face massive fines and be forced to change how the feature works—or remove it entirely.
What the Experts Recommend
So what should you do if you care about your privacy? The Centre for Digital Rights and Democracy has some clear advice.
Stay on Windows 10 for now. Windows 10 is still supported with security updates until October 2026. That gives you a couple more years of safe use. Microsoft isn't going to suddenly abandon it, so you're not at risk of using an unsupported system.
Windows 10 doesn't have the Recall feature. It doesn't have the same level of AI integration that's raising red flags. It's a known quantity—flawed, sure, but we understand what it does and doesn't do.
After 2026, consider switching to a different operating system. The experts specifically mention Linux as an option. And honestly, Linux has come a long way in the past few years. Distributions like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Zorin OS are designed to be user-friendly, even for people who aren't tech experts.
Linux gives you complete control over your system. No telemetry you can't turn off. No AI features recording your screen. No corporate parent company deciding what data to collect. It's open source, which means anyone can examine the code to see exactly what it's doing.
For people who need Windows for specific applications (like certain games or professional software), the experts suggest keeping an offline Windows machine for those tasks while doing everyday work on a more private system.
Microsoft's Response
To be fair, Microsoft has made some changes to Recall since the initial backlash. They've said that the feature will be off by default in future updates. They've emphasized that the data stays on your device and isn't uploaded to the cloud without your permission. They've added some encryption and security measures.
But here's the thing: even if Recall is off by default, it's still there. It's still a feature that can be enabled. And the underlying infrastructure—the AI, the screen capture capabilities, the data processing—is built into the operating system. That raises questions about what else might be possible.
Also, "off by default" doesn't help if you accidentally turn it on, or if some update resets your settings, or if you buy a pre-built computer where the manufacturer enabled it. The feature exists, and that alone is concerning to privacy advocates.
Microsoft's track record with privacy isn't exactly spotless. Windows 10 was criticized heavily for its telemetry and data collection practices. Windows 11 seems to be doubling down on AI integration, which brings a whole new set of privacy concerns.
The Bigger Picture: AI and Privacy
Recall is just one example of a broader trend. AI is being baked into everything—operating systems, office software, web browsers, phones. And with AI comes data collection. Lots of it.
These AI features need data to work. They need to learn from your behavior. They need to process your files. They need to understand what you're doing. That creates an inherent tension with privacy.
The question is: where do we draw the line? Is a feature that takes constant screenshots of everything you do worth the convenience of being able to search your history? For most privacy experts, the answer is a clear no.
And it's not just about what Microsoft does with the data. It's about who else might get access. Hackers, law enforcement, abusive partners, employers—all of them would love to have a complete visual record of everything you've done on your computer. Recall creates that record.
Even if the data stays on your device, devices get stolen. Devices get hacked. Devices get accessed by people who shouldn't have permission. The more sensitive data stored on your machine, the bigger the target.
What About Windows 10 Users?
If you're on Windows 10, you're safe from Recall for now. But Microsoft has made it clear that Windows 10 is approaching the end of its lifecycle. October 2026 is the deadline for security updates.
That might seem far away, but it's actually closer than you think. Two years goes by fast. And when support ends, using Windows 10 will become risky. No more security patches means any new vulnerabilities won't be fixed. Hackers will start targeting Windows 10 specifically, knowing that many users won't upgrade.
So the experts aren't saying "stay on Windows 10 forever." They're saying "stay on it until you have a good alternative." That alternative might be a more private version of Windows (if Microsoft changes course), or it might mean switching to something else entirely.
For businesses and organizations, this is an even bigger issue. Migrating an entire company to a new operating system takes time and planning. Starting that process now makes sense, rather than waiting until the last minute.
Linux: Is It Really an Option?
When experts suggest Linux, a lot of people roll their eyes. Isn't Linux complicated? Don't you need to be a programmer to use it? Won't my favorite apps stop working?
These are fair questions. Linux has a reputation for being difficult, and that reputation wasn't entirely undeserved in the past. But things have changed.
Modern Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Zorin OS are designed to be user-friendly. They have graphical installers, app stores, and familiar interfaces. If you can use Windows, you can use these Linux versions.
The bigger issue is software compatibility. If you rely on specific Windows applications—especially professional software like Adobe Creative Suite or certain games—you might have trouble. Alternatives exist (GIMP instead of Photoshop, LibreOffice instead of Microsoft Office), but they're not exact replacements.
For many people, though, Linux is completely viable. Web browsing, email, document editing, video watching—all of these work perfectly. And you get the peace of mind that comes with open source software and no corporate data collection.
Some people dual-boot, keeping Windows for specific tasks and using Linux for everyday work. Others use virtual machines. There are options.
What Microsoft Could Do Better
To be fair to Microsoft, they're not trying to be evil. They're trying to build features that people might actually find useful. The problem is how they're doing it.
If Microsoft really wanted to address privacy concerns, they could:
- Make features like Recall opt-in only, with clear explanations of what they do
- Store all data locally with strong encryption that even Microsoft can't access
- Give users granular control over what gets recorded and when
- Submit to independent privacy audits and publish the results
- Work with regulators to ensure compliance before launching features, not after
- Offer a privacy-focused version of Windows for users who don't want AI features
None of this is impossible. Apple has made privacy a selling point for years. Microsoft could do the same if they chose to.
But so far, their approach has been more reactive than proactive. They add features, face criticism, and then make adjustments. That's not the same as building privacy in from the start.
Conclusion
Here's the simple version of all this. Windows 11 has a new feature called Recall that takes constant screenshots of everything you do. Data protection experts say this is a major privacy risk and could even violate European law.
Their advice: stick with Windows 10 for now. You have until October 2026 before support ends. That gives you time to figure out your next move.
When Windows 10 reaches its end of life, consider switching to Linux or another operating system that respects your privacy. It's more usable than you think, and your data will be safer.
If you absolutely need Windows for specific applications, be careful. Understand what features are enabled. Turn off anything you don't need. Assume that anything you do on your computer might be recorded.
This isn't about being paranoid. It's about being informed. Microsoft is a company with its own interests, which don't always align with yours. The more you understand what your computer is doing, the better choices you can make.
And if nothing else, maybe this whole situation will push Microsoft to do better. Competition is good. If enough people choose privacy-focused alternatives, Microsoft will have to respond. That's how progress happens.
FAQs
1. What exactly is the Recall feature in Windows 11?
Recall is an AI-powered tool that takes automatic screenshots of everything you do on your computer. It saves these snapshots so you can search through them later to find things you've seen before. It's designed to be like a photographic memory for your PC.
2. Is Recall enabled by default?
Microsoft has changed this based on feedback. Initially it was going to be on by default, but after privacy concerns, they announced it will be off by default in future updates. However, the feature still exists and can be turned on.
3. Can Microsoft see my Recall data?
Microsoft says the data stays on your device and isn't uploaded to the cloud without your permission. But the data is still accessible if someone gains physical access to your computer or if malware infects your system.
4. Does Windows 10 have the Recall feature?
No. Recall is exclusive to Windows 11. This is one of the main reasons privacy experts recommend staying on Windows 10 for now.
5. How long will Windows 10 be supported?
Microsoft will provide security updates for Windows 10 until October 2026. After that, using Windows 10 becomes risky because new security vulnerabilities won't be fixed.
6. Is Linux really a good alternative for normal users?
Yes, modern Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Zorin OS are designed for regular users. They have simple installers, familiar interfaces, and app stores. The main challenge is software compatibility—some Windows programs won't run.
7. What if I need specific Windows programs that don't work on Linux?
You have options. You can keep a separate Windows machine for those programs, dual-boot both operating systems, or use a virtual machine. Some Windows programs also work through compatibility layers like Wine.
8. Could Microsoft get in legal trouble over Recall?
Possibly. The Centre for Digital Rights and Democracy believes Recall may violate GDPR, Europe's strict privacy law. If regulators agree, Microsoft could face significant fines and be forced to change or remove the feature.
9. Is Microsoft the only company doing this kind of thing?
No, AI integration and data collection are happening across the tech industry. Apple, Google, and others are all adding AI features. But the specific nature of Recall—constant screen recording—is particularly concerning to privacy advocates.
10. What should I do right now to protect my privacy?
If you're on Windows 10, stay there for now. If you're already on Windows 11, go through your privacy settings and turn off anything you don't need. Be especially careful with features that involve data collection or AI. And start thinking about your long-term plan—whether that's Linux, a Mac, or something else.