Windows 11 Recall Archives

Winsage

April 22, 2025

In depth with Windows 11 Recall—and what Microsoft has (and hasn’t) fixed

The Recall service has a tray icon that indicates its operation and occasionally shows blurred snapshot previews to protect sensitive information. The latest version includes automated content filtering to prevent the capture of sensitive data, utilizing Microsoft Purview Information Protection technology. However, its effectiveness is inconsistent, as it can still capture sensitive information like personal details and credit card data in certain cases. The filtering system does not differentiate between sensitive and non-sensitive data in applications, leading to potential capture of personal information. Users cannot easily verify what is being filtered, and the tray icon does not specify which app or browser tab is affected. Recall can be completely uninstalled, removing all configuration options from the Settings menu.

Winsage

December 7, 2024

Windows 11 Recall officially comes to Intel and AMD

Microsoft has expanded its Recall AI feature to support Copilot+ PCs with Intel and AMD processors, following initial availability on Qualcomm-powered devices. The feature has stabilized after previous challenges, and the latest update (version 26120.2510) will be available to Intel and AMD users in the Windows Insiders Dev Channel. Users must manually enable snapshot functionality and can control the retention and deletion of snapshots, which do not record sensitive information. The update also includes security enhancements, requiring Windows Hello for identity authentication and the use of BitLocker and Secure Boot. Additionally, a new "Click to do" feature allows users to interact with snapshots more easily.

Winsage

December 4, 2024

Microsoft continues to mess up Windows 11 Recall, failing to provide fix for weird bug that breaks the feature

Some users in the Windows 11 testing program have experienced significant issues with the Recall feature, which is intended to enhance user experience through AI-driven search capabilities. Microsoft has identified a bug related to the optional update KB5046740, which interferes with Recall's functionality when installed before Dev build 26120.2415. This bug prevents Recall from saving snapshots necessary for its advanced search features. Microsoft has advised against installing the preview update before joining the Dev channel and has not provided a clear resolution for those affected, leaving them with limited options, such as reinstalling Windows 11. Recall is currently designed for Copilot+ PCs powered by Arm-based Snapdragon processors, narrowing the number of potential testers.

Winsage

November 30, 2024

Windows 11 Recall finally arrives, but with one new problem

The Windows 11 Recall feature is currently in a testing phase and has faced significant challenges, particularly with saving snapshots necessary for its operation. Users have reported delays of several minutes in saving snapshots, and some, like Tom Warren, have experienced issues where snapshots do not save at all. Microsoft has advised users to restart their computers as a potential solution to these problems. The Recall feature, which aims to provide a "photographic memory" for PCs, is available only to beta testers on specific devices and has been delayed due to security and privacy concerns. Other companies, such as Google, are also developing similar AI functionalities.

Winsage

November 28, 2024

Windows 11 Recall is misbehaving in testing, and the fix for the biggest issue is an age-old favorite: turn it off, then back on again

Windows 11's Recall feature is currently in the testing phase and has encountered several bugs, including a failure to save snapshots. Recall is intended to improve search capabilities on Copilot+ PCs by taking regular screenshots of user activity for natural language searches. Users have reported delays of several minutes between snapshots, leading to gaps in the timeline. Microsoft has suggested rebooting the PC as a remedy for these issues. Additionally, there are compatibility problems with certain accessibility applications and misleading notifications about snapshot saving. Even when snapshots are enabled, users may still receive prompts to confirm that saving is active.

Winsage

November 1, 2024

Microsoft delays rollout of the Windows 11 Recall feature yet again

Brandon LeBlanc, Senior Program Manager for Microsoft Windows Insider, stated that Microsoft is committed to delivering a secure experience with its upcoming feature, Recall, and is taking additional time to refine it before previewing it with Windows Insiders. Recall will utilize Windows' Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) features and Windows Hello authentication for enhanced user data protection. The feature will be opt-in by default and fully removable. Recall will require a Copilot+ PC, which must have at least 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of at least 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). Users must enroll in the Windows Insider Program to access Recall, and speculation suggests that non-Windows Insider PCs may not receive it until 2025.

Winsage

October 15, 2024

Removing Windows 11 Recall Feature Corrupts the File Explorer

The 24H2 version of Windows 11 introduces an AI feature called Recall, which logs user actions to create a timeline for easy access to previous tasks. Despite being intended to be disabled by default, Recall has become a standard feature, raising privacy concerns among users. Deactivating Recall has proven problematic, as it can lead to the loss of modern features in Windows file explorer. Some users have found workarounds to disable Recall, but these methods are not user-friendly and may cause inconsistent system behavior. The integration of Recall has sparked renewed discussions about privacy and user autonomy, reminiscent of past controversies related to Windows 10 telemetry.

Winsage

October 3, 2024

I just demoed Windows 11 Recall: 3 useful features that may surprise you

Recall is a feature introduced by Microsoft that functions as a personal digital scrapbook, capturing screenshots and snapshots of PC activity for easy access. It includes a timeline scrubber for scrolling through daily activities and a natural language search capability for retrieving specific information. Microsoft has delayed the rollout of Recall to enhance security, implementing features like Windows Hello for biometric authentication. Recall allows users to access links in search results, interact with screenshots without leaving the interface, and manage storage limits ranging from 25GB to 150GB. The data captured is encrypted and stored securely, with AI processing occurring on-device. Recall is only supported on Copilot+ PCs, such as the Surface Laptop 7, and requires signing up for a Windows Insider membership to access.

Winsage

September 2, 2024

Microsoft confirms that Windows 11 Recall AI is not optional — a glitch made it appear so in the Windows 11 24H2 KB5041865 update | Tom’s Hardware

Microsoft clarified that the Windows 11 24H2 update, KB5041865, did not introduce the ability to uninstall the Recall feature through the “Turn Windows features on or off” dialog, identifying this as a bug that will be rectified. Once officially launched, Recall will allow users to disable it, but complete removal will not be an option. Microsoft has faced regulatory pressures in the EEA that previously compelled it to offer uninstallation options for Microsoft Edge. The rollout of Recall has been delayed due to mixed reception and security concerns. Starting next month, Microsoft will enable Copilot+ on PCs for Windows Insiders, but concerns arise if users can only disable it rather than completely uninstall it, potentially affecting its acceptance in corporate or government settings. A bug fix update is anticipated, and the Copilot feature will include the Copilot Screenray feature, which offers real-time analysis of desktop content but raises privacy concerns. It is important for Microsoft to ensure that users can securely disable or remove these features.

Winsage

August 18, 2024

Microsoft maintains radio silence on Windows 11 Recall AI, “has nothing to share”

Microsoft has confirmed that the Recall AI feature for Windows 11 has not been canceled, but recent builds do not mention it. Recall captures snapshots of the user's screen every five seconds and processes them locally to facilitate content analysis. It was initially set for public preview on June 18 but was delayed for further testing and security measures. Recall will first be available to Windows Insiders before a broader release. Users must enable Recall during setup, and it operates offline, capturing activity across various applications. It requires specific hardware, including a neural processing unit, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Data is stored locally in a SQLite database and is encrypted with BitLocker, though concerns about data security have been raised. There have been no recent updates from Microsoft regarding Recall's status.