Microsoft’s AI-Powered Recall Feature
Microsoft has announced the rollout of its new artificial intelligence (AI)–powered Recall feature as part of the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview update. This innovative feature was first introduced at the Microsoft Surface and AI event in May. However, its initial launch faced backlash due to privacy and security concerns, leading to a temporary halt in its rollout to Windows Insiders. Now, with the latest update, Microsoft aims to enhance user experience on its new lineup of Copilot+ PCs running Windows 11. The Recall feature captures user activity through screenshots, allowing users to conduct searches at a later date.
Microsoft Recall Rolls Out
The Recall feature was initially expected to be available to Windows Insiders in October. However, Microsoft decided to delay its rollout. Brandon LeBlanc, Microsoft’s Senior Product Manager, later confirmed to The Verge that the feature would be available to Windows Insiders by December. This announcement has generated excitement among users eager to explore the new capabilities of their devices.
Currently, Recall is being rolled out with the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.2415 (KB5046723) to the Dev Channel. Users who are part of Microsoft’s Windows Insider Program can join this channel to access the feature on their Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. In this preview phase, Recall supports multiple languages, including simplified Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish. Microsoft has also indicated plans to extend support to AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs in the future, broadening the feature’s accessibility.
What is Recall?
The Recall feature is designed to create a photographic memory of user activity on their PCs. It captures snapshots of documents, emails, images, and websites visited. Users can then search for specific content by describing it through text-based prompts. Alternatively, they can scroll through a timeline to view snapshots from a particular time period. This functionality leverages AI to deliver both text and visual matches based on user queries.
To use Recall, users must opt-in to save snapshots and enroll in Windows Hello, which utilizes BitLocker and Secure Boot for enhanced security. Microsoft assures users that if they do not opt-in, no snapshots of their activity will be saved. A new icon will appear in the system tray to indicate when Recall is capturing screenshots, providing users with quick access to controls for pausing the feature or obtaining more information.
Users have significant control over their data. They can manually delete snapshots or choose to exclude specific apps or websites from being captured. Microsoft emphasizes that all snapshots remain on the device and are not transmitted to Microsoft or third-party servers. Additionally, the Recall feature is designed to detect sensitive information, such as credit card details or passwords, and will not store these as snapshots. For Enterprise versions of Windows 11 and PCs managed by IT administrators, the Recall feature is disabled by default.
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