What you need to know
Microsoft has once again postponed the rollout of its much-anticipated Windows Recall feature, a decision that has stirred discussions within the tech community. Initially slated for a preview release this month, the company has now set its sights on December for the first glimpse of this feature.
- The Windows Recall feature was initially expected to debut alongside the Copilot+ PCs in June.
- In September, Microsoft had assured users that preview builds would be available in October, but that timeline has shifted.
- The delay is attributed to security concerns regarding how Recall manages data storage on devices.
In a recent statement to The Verge, Microsoft acknowledged the challenges it has faced in ensuring the security of the Windows Recall feature. The company discovered significant vulnerabilities related to local data storage, prompting a reassessment of its launch timeline. As it stands, it has been four months since the feature was originally scheduled for release, and Microsoft continues to work diligently to deliver a secure initial preview.
When Windows Recall does finally make its debut, Microsoft has promised a robust security framework. The data collected through the feature will be encrypted, and access to Recall data will require Windows Hello authentication. Users will also have the flexibility to filter out specific applications and websites, with the default settings designed to exclude sensitive information such as passwords and national identification numbers.
As the first preview builds are now expected to roll out in the coming months, it appears unlikely that Windows Recall will be available beyond the Insider Program until sometime in 2025. Furthermore, the timeline for when AMD and Intel Copilot+ PCs will gain access to Windows Recall remains uncertain. Originally, Microsoft indicated that the Recall preview would first launch on Snapdragon X devices in November, raising questions about whether all Copilot+ platforms will receive access simultaneously.
