Microsoft is in the process of gradually introducing its innovative AI-powered Windows Recall feature to Insiders in the Release Preview channel, with plans to extend its availability to all Windows users equipped with Copilot+ PCs shortly thereafter.
Recall is an opt-in feature designed for Windows that captures screenshots of active windows at regular intervals. This functionality allows Windows 11 users to search for text within these snapshots using natural language, significantly enhancing productivity and ease of access to previous activities.
As highlighted by the Windows Insider Program Team on Thursday, users can pause Recall whenever necessary. Access to the captured data is secured through authentication via Windows Hello, ensuring that only the user can view their snapshots.
“To use Recall, you will need to opt-in to saving snapshots, which are images of your activity, and enroll in Windows Hello to confirm your presence so only you can access your snapshots. You are always in control of what snapshots are saved and can pause saving snapshots at any time,” the team stated.
Recall takes regular snapshots to facilitate quicker and easier retrieval of information. Users can simply open Recall, authenticate with Windows Hello, and seamlessly return to applications, websites, or documents they previously accessed. The feature also includes a Click to Do function, allowing users to act on any image or text found within the snapshots.
Currently, Recall is being rolled out to all Windows 11 Insiders in the Release Preview Channel who have installed Windows 11 Build 26100.3902 (KB5055627).
Tagged as a privacy nightmare
Upon its introduction in May 2024, Recall faced scrutiny and was labeled a potential privacy nightmare by many. Security experts raised alarms about the risk of user data being compromised by malicious actors exploiting the feature.
In response to these concerns, Microsoft has made Recall a removable opt-in feature that necessitates user confirmation through Windows Hello for access to the captured data. This measure aims to bolster user privacy and security.
Furthermore, Microsoft has enhanced Recall to filter out sensitive information, including credentials and credit card numbers, and to exclude specific applications, websites, or private browsing sessions from being captured.
In September, David Weston, Microsoft’s VP for Enterprise and OS Security, announced additional improvements to Recall, including rate-limiting and anti-hammering protections against potential malware attacks. Users now have the flexibility to adjust storage settings, delete snapshots, or completely disable the snapshot-saving feature.
After experiencing two delays in June and October, Microsoft commenced the rollout of the first Recall preview to Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs in November 2024, subsequently expanding it to Intel and AMD Copilot+ PCs a month later.
