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Copilot Gets Control of Windows and Your Files as Microsoft’s Recall Bill Comes Due
Winsage
October 8, 2026

Copilot Gets Control of Windows and Your Files as Microsoft’s Recall Bill Comes Due

Microsoft is requesting Windows users to grant its Copilot feature access to their files and activities, following a previous retraction of a similar AI integration due to scrutiny. Copilot can analyze content on the device with user consent, performing tasks like organizing files and troubleshooting, using both local AI models and cloud processing. Microsoft has implemented safeguards, but its security team has raised concerns about potential risks associated with powerful features. The opt-in nature of Copilot places accountability on Microsoft, as users must actively grant access. Hybrid features are set to roll out in the coming months, with taskbar search actions already reaching Windows Insiders. Over 40 percent of new business laptops are being designed as Copilot+ PCs, with the Surface Laptop Ultra scheduled for release on October 16.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
October 8, 2026

Copilot Gets Control of Windows and Your Files as Microsoft’s Recall Bill Comes Due

Microsoft is inviting Windows users to grant its Copilot feature access to their files and activities, with user consent. The new iteration of Copilot can understand content on the device, perform tasks like organizing files, troubleshooting, and writing code, with some tasks processed in the cloud. Activation is opt-in, folder access is limited, and Copilot operates under separate accounts from users. Microsoft has implemented safeguards, including Microsoft Execution Containers to define agent access. However, internal warnings from Microsoft's security team highlight potential risks associated with agents capable of modifying environments. Features for enhancing auditability of agent activities are under development. Microsoft previously faced criticism for its Recall feature, which raised security concerns. The opt-in design places accountability on Microsoft, as users must grant access. The hybrid features require a Copilot+ PC and are set to roll out in the coming months, with taskbar search actions already reaching Windows Insiders. Over 40 percent of newly manufactured business laptops are Copilot+ PCs, with the Surface Laptop Ultra launching on October 16.
Microsoft is bringing AI features to more Windows 11 PCs — just in case you were under the impression that AI was being cut back
Winsage
June 11, 2026

Microsoft is bringing AI features to more Windows 11 PCs — just in case you were under the impression that AI was being cut back

Microsoft is testing a new feature that allows developers to implement local language models on non-Copilot+ PCs running Windows 11. The Language Model APIs can now operate on any Windows 11 device with a compatible Nvidia GPU, specifically targeting GeForce RTX 30 series and newer models with at least 6 GB of video RAM. This initiative aims to democratize access to AI capabilities across a broader range of Windows 11 PCs, although not all PCs will gain access to exclusive Copilot+ AI functionalities.
Microsoft dropped Copilot+ PC branding for Windows 11's most powerful AI laptop, and nobody complained
Winsage
June 5, 2026

Microsoft dropped Copilot+ PC branding for Windows 11’s most powerful AI laptop, and nobody complained

In May 2024, Microsoft launched Copilot+ PCs featuring local AI acceleration and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chips. However, during the introduction of the Surface Laptop Ultra, powered by NVIDIA’s RTX Spark platform, Microsoft did not mention the Copilot+ branding. The Surface Laptop Ultra is described as the most powerful AI-centric Windows laptop, yet it lacks the Copilot+ label, raising questions about the branding strategy. Initially, Copilot+ PCs were marketed as the fastest and most intelligent Windows PCs, requiring specific hardware specifications. The Recall feature, intended as a "photographic memory," faced privacy issues, leading to its retraction and redesign. In 2025, Microsoft integrated Copilot into various Windows applications, resulting in user backlash and a decline in the brand's perception. The Surface Laptop Ultra is confirmed as a Copilot+ PC internally, but Microsoft chose not to use the branding publicly, likely due to NVIDIA's branding interests. Additionally, inconsistencies in hardware requirements for Copilot+ PCs have created confusion among consumers. Microsoft may need to consider a rebranding of Windows as it focuses on local AI development and improving performance.
First Windows PCs powered by Nvidia chips expected next week: Report
Winsage
May 31, 2026

First Windows PCs powered by Nvidia chips expected next week: Report

Nvidia is set to reveal its first Windows computers powered by its own chips at the Computex trade show in Taiwan and Microsoft’s Build developer conference in San Francisco. The initial models are expected to come from Microsoft’s Surface brand and Dell. Alongside the hardware launch, Microsoft plans to introduce software to simplify AI operations on Windows machines. Nvidia has been working to enter the PC processor market, previously known for its graphics chips. Microsoft aims to realign Windows with AI, following challenges with its initial AI PC initiative, Copilot+ PC. The company is now focusing on AI agents for local PCs and has established a team called OpenClaw for this purpose. Nvidia's entry into the PC market could benefit both itself and Microsoft, as well as Qualcomm, which has struggled to gain a significant share of the PC market despite its advantages.
Microsoft says public sharing of Windows 11 vulnerability violates 'best practices'
Winsage
May 22, 2026

Microsoft says public sharing of Windows 11 vulnerability violates ‘best practices’

A security researcher known as Nightmare-Eclipse revealed a vulnerability in Windows 11, named YellowKey, which allows attackers to access BitLocker-encrypted drives through the Windows Recovery Environment. Microsoft acknowledged the vulnerability, assigned it the identifier CVE-2026-45585, and criticized the public sharing of its proof of concept. Currently, there is no patch available for the BitLocker bypass, but physical access to the device provides some protection. The vulnerability does not exist in Windows 10 due to differences in the Windows Recovery Environment. The attack requires a stolen Windows 11 laptop and a USB stick, and the vulnerable filesystems include NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT. Nightmare-Eclipse speculated that the bypass may function as a backdoor, while Microsoft referred to it as a "security feature bypass vulnerability."
Windows 11 is free of AI: Microsoft removes Copilot
Winsage
May 9, 2026

Windows 11 is free of AI: Microsoft removes Copilot

Microsoft is refining its approach to artificial intelligence in Windows 11, particularly regarding the Copilot feature, which has been a source of user frustration. The company is removing intrusive aspects of Copilot due to user feedback highlighting issues like excessive resource consumption, system slowdowns, and privacy concerns. Features previously labeled as "Copilot" will be rebranded with simpler names to present them as optional tools. The Recall feature, designed to capture user activity, faced backlash over privacy risks, leading to its delayed launch and reassessment. Microsoft is now adopting a more selective and discreet approach to AI, focusing on integrating tools that genuinely enhance user experience while prioritizing user feedback to guide future developments.
Windows AI Recall is pushing data destruction upstream
Winsage
April 30, 2026

Windows AI Recall is pushing data destruction upstream

The introduction of Copilot+ PCs has created new complexities in IT asset disposition (ITAD), as these devices may contain a comprehensive, time-stamped archive of user activity, which was not present on corporate laptops two years ago. Microsoft's Recall feature captures user activity screenshots and stores them securely, but recent research by Alexander Hagenah suggests that the safeguards may be ineffective, as his tool can extract sensitive data without breaking encryption. Microsoft defends the security of Recall, stating that observed access patterns align with intended protections. This situation presents challenges for ITAD operators, as pre-collection now constitutes a data-destruction event, requiring devices to be powered down or purged before leaving the client’s environment. Certificates of sanitization must evolve to address the specific destruction of Recall snapshot stores, and conversations with clients should differentiate between managed and unmanaged fleets regarding Recall settings. The presence of Recall shifts some data-destruction responsibilities upstream to clients, complicating traditional ITAD value propositions.
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