Recall feature Archives

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Windows tests long-awaited changes to Start, Share, and Search

Microsoft has released two test builds of Windows 11: Insider Preview Build 22635.4950 (KB5052078) in the Beta Channel and Insider Preview Build 26120.3291 (KB5052080) as an optional release in both Beta and Dev Channels. Build 26120.3291 introduces a semantic search capability, allowing searches by descriptive terms, but is limited to Qualcomm-powered Snapdragon PCs. Users of the Recall feature will lose all saved snapshots during the upgrade process. Build 22635.4950 tests a new Share interface that simplifies file sharing through a drag-and-drop mechanism. The Start menu will receive new configuration options, including a grid view and a "categories" view for app organization. These updates will be available to Windows Insiders receiving updates for Windows 11, version 24H2.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

New Windows 11 preview build improves privacy for European users

Microsoft's latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build, 26120.3281 (KB5052086), introduces several privacy-focused changes. The Location History API has been removed, meaning Windows will no longer retain location data locally. Additionally, the update removes "account-based content" from File Explorer sections for users of Entra ID, aligning with GDPR regulations and affecting only customers in the European Union. Other features include improved OneDrive document resumption between devices and updates to the Recall feature, which will delete existing Recall snapshots.

Winsage

February 14, 2025

Microsoft makes another tweak to Windows 11’s taskbar – but it’s probably not the change you were hoping for

Microsoft has introduced a new icon on the Windows 11 taskbar that provides access to AI-driven Windows Studio Effects, which enhance video call quality with features like background blurring, simulated direct eye contact, improved lighting, and user centering. The icon appears when compatible applications are using the webcam, allowing users to see which application is accessing it, thus enhancing privacy. However, the feature is limited to devices with specific hardware requirements, including 16GB of RAM and a CPU with a neural processing unit (NPU), potentially restricting access for many users. This initiative is part of Microsoft's strategy to promote AI features, but user feedback has been mixed, with some expressing disappointment over the lack of traditional taskbar functionalities and questioning the necessity of these enhancements for professional use.

Winsage

December 28, 2024

Microsoft’s wins, fails, and WTF moments of 2024

In 2024, Microsoft made significant advancements and faced challenges. The Surface Pro 11th Edition, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, showed improved compatibility with applications like Slack and Google Drive. The Microsoft Recall feature encountered skepticism due to delays and privacy concerns. The Windows 11 2024 Update confused users with multiple release channels and contradictory hardware requirements. The Surface Laptop 7 received praise for its battery life and design. Game Pass evolved into a complex array of tiers, complicating user experience. The Surface Studio 2+ was discontinued, disappointing fans. Microsoft’s Copilot initiative faced challenges, and the HoloLens 2 quietly exited the commercial market. Flight Simulator 2024 struggled with technical issues at launch. Microsoft integrated generative AI into core applications like Paint and Photos. The Windows95Man Paperclip emerged as a cultural phenomenon.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

Windows Recall support for Intel & AMD PCs: Eligible PC List

Microsoft has introduced an AI feature called Recall for Windows PCs, enabling users to retrieve actions or searches by capturing and storing screenshots in an encrypted format. Users can search for specific content using keywords, but Recall will only be available to select Windows 11 PCs. Initially exclusive to Snapdragon X SoCs, Recall now supports newer Intel and AMD CPUs with a 40 teraflops Neural Processing Unit (NPU). To use Recall, the system requirements include: - Windows 11 PC enrolled in the Insider Program (Canary or Dev channel) - 16 GB RAM - 256 GB SSD - CPU with 8 logical processors - NPU with 40 teraflops - Windows Hello for sign-in security and device encryption activated. Compatible devices include: - Acer Swift 14 AI - ASUS Vivobook S 15 and ProArt PZ13 - Dell Latitude 7455, XPS 13, and Inspiron 14 - HP OmniBook X 14 - Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x and ThinkPad T14s - Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC - Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ PC - Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge Supported CPUs are: - AMD Ryzen AI 300 series - Intel Core Ultra 200V series - Snapdragon X Elite - Snapdragon X Plus More compatible systems and CPUs are expected by 2025.

Winsage

December 17, 2024

You Can Now Test ‘Recall,’ Windows’ Controversial AI Feature

The Recall feature in Windows allows users to revisit their digital history by accessing past documents, photos, and webpages through captured screenshots processed by Copilot AI. Users can opt-in during installation and manage settings related to snapshot retention and storage limits. A sensitive information filter prevents the storage of critical data, and users can exclude specific apps and websites. Recall requires identity verification and encrypts all captured information locally. The interface allows users to search through snapshots using natural language and offers options to delete, transfer, or extract content from them. Recall is currently in a preview phase, with ongoing discussions about its privacy and security measures.

Winsage

December 13, 2024

Microsoft Recall Can Still Potentially Screenshot Your Sensitive Information

Microsoft's Recall feature, designed for Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs, faced delays earlier this year due to significant security vulnerabilities. The feature began rolling out to select testers last month and became widely available on December 6 for users in the Windows Insider beta program. Recall aims to automatically detect and stop the screenshotting of sensitive information, but reports indicate that its filters may not be functioning effectively, as it continued to capture sensitive data in some instances. Microsoft has encouraged user feedback to improve the feature and emphasized that all screenshots are secured behind a Windows Hello login. Recall is currently an opt-in feature, disabled by default for Insider channel users, and is expected to have various issues as a beta product. Users must download AI models upon signing up for the Insider build, and Microsoft initially planned to launch Recall six months ago without the necessary refinements.

Winsage

December 13, 2024

Surprise! The “new and improved” Microsoft Recall is still a privacy nightmare

Microsoft's Recall feature is under scrutiny for continuing to collect sensitive information, such as credit card and social security numbers, despite a setting intended to prevent this data harvesting. Reports indicate that Recall captures private data even when users attempt to disable this functionality. Demonstrations show that Recall recorded sensitive information from various applications, including a Notepad window and a loan application PDF, despite the presence of privacy controls. Additionally, Recall appears to rely on contextual cues from websites, successfully capturing data from a self-created site while refraining from recording information on legitimate payment platforms.

Winsage

December 13, 2024

Microsoft Recall caught capturing credit card and Social Security numbers despite reassurances it won’t

Microsoft's Windows Recall feature, designed to take comprehensive screenshots of users' PCs for future reference, has faced skepticism due to security concerns. After delays, it became available to Windows Insiders, but testing revealed its filtering capabilities were inadequate, failing to protect sensitive information like credit card numbers and Social Security details. Microsoft has since updated Recall to detect and not store sensitive information, encouraging user feedback for improvements. Recall functions by taking periodic snapshots of the screen for indexing, but it previously lacked encryption and was stored in plain text. The updated version is now opt-in, encrypts data, and requires biometric authentication and passwords for access, although vulnerabilities remain.

Winsage

December 13, 2024

Microsoft Recall screenshots credit cards and Social Security numbers, even with the “sensitive information” filter enabled

Microsoft's Recall feature has returned to Windows Insiders after being removed in June due to security and privacy concerns. The updated version includes encryption for captured screenshots and a default setting to filter out sensitive information like credit card numbers and social security numbers. Initial tests show mixed results for the sensitive information filter; it successfully blocked sensitive data on some e-commerce sites but failed to prevent the capture of credit card numbers and social security numbers in other scenarios. Recall serves as a searchable memory of user activities, capturing screenshots and organizing them for retrieval. The feature now employs encryption and requires Windows Hello for access, but concerns remain about the robustness of this encryption and potential unauthorized access. Users have reported being able to access Recall remotely through applications like TeamViewer, raising security concerns. Microsoft is committed to improving Recall's functionality and encourages user feedback.