Microsoft's Controversial Recall Feature Returns to Windows 11, Sparking Privacy Concerns

That groan you hear is users' reaction to Recall going back into Windows

Security and privacy advocates are girding themselves for another uphill battle against Recall, the AI tool rolling out in Windows 11 that will screenshot, index, and store everything a user does every three seconds. When Recall was first introduced in May 2024, security practitioners roundly castigated it for creating a gold mine for malicious insiders, criminals, or nation-state spies if they managed to gain even brief administrative access to a Windows device. Privacy advocates warned that Recall was ripe for abuse in intimate partner violence settings. They also noted that there was nothing stopping Recall from preserving sensitive disappearing content sent through privacy-protecting messengers such as Signal. Following months of backlash, Microsoft later suspended Recall. On Thursday, the company said it was reintroducing Recall. It currently is available only to insiders with access to the Windows 11 Build 26100.3902 preview version. Over time, the feature will be rolled out more broadly. Microsoft officials wrote: Recall (preview)* saves you time by offering an entirely new way to search for things you've seen or done on your PC securely. With the AI capabilities of Copilot+ PCs, it's now possible to quickly find and get back to any app, website, image, or document just by describing its content. 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. As you use your Copilot+ PC throughout the day working on documents or presentations, taking video calls, and context switching across activities, Recall will take regular snapshots and help you find things faster and easier. When you need to find or get back to something you've done previously, open Recall and authenticate with Windows Hello. When you've found what you were looking for, you can reopen the application, website, or document, or use Click to Do to act on any image or text in the snapshot you found. Microsoft is hoping that the concessions requiring opt-in and the ability to pause Recall will help quell the collective revolt that broke out last year. It likely won't for various reasons.

Microsoft's Recall AI Tool Is Making an Unwelcome Return

Security and privacy advocates are girding themselves for another uphill battle against Recall, the AI tool rolling out in Windows 11 that will screenshot, index, and store everything a user does every three seconds. When Recall was introduced in May 2024, security practitioners roundly castigated it for creating a gold mine for malicious insiders, criminals, or nation-state spies if they managed to gain even brief administrative access to a Windows device. Privacy advocates warned that Recall was ripe for abuse in intimate partner violence settings. They also noted that there was nothing stopping Recall from preserving sensitive disappearing content sent through privacy-protecting messengers such as Signal. Following months of backlash, Microsoft later suspended Recall. On Thursday, the company said it was reintroducing Recall. It currently is available only to insiders with access to the Windows 11 Build 26100.3902 preview version. Over time, the feature will be rolled out more broadly. Microsoft officials wrote: Microsoft is hoping that the concessions requiring opt-in and the ability to pause Recall will help quell the collective revolt that broke out last year. It likely won't for various reasons. First, even if User A never opts in to Recall, they have no control over the setting on the machines of Users B through Z. That means anything User A sends them will be screenshotted, processed with optical character recognition and Copilot AI, and then stored in an indexed database on the other users' devices. That would indiscriminately hoover up all kinds of User A's sensitive material, including photos, passwords, medical conditions, and encrypted videos and messages. As Privacy Guides writer Em wrote on Mastodon: The presence of an easily searchable database capturing a machine's every waking moment would also be a bonanza for others who don't have users' best interests at heart. That level of detailed archival material will undoubtedly be subject to subpoena by lawyers and governments. Threat actors who manage to get their spyware installed on a device will no longer have to scour it for the most sensitive data stored there. Instead they will mine Recall just as they do browser databases storing passwords now. Microsoft didn't immediately respond to a message asking why it's reintroducing Recall less than a year after the feature got such a chilly reception. For critics, Recall is likely to remain one of the most pernicious examples of enshittification, the recently minted term for the shoehorning of unwanted AI and other features into existing products when there is negligible benefit to users.

Microsoft Is Ready to Try Again With Recall AI Feature That Screenshots Your Activity

Samantha Kelly is a freelance writer with a focus on consumer technology, AI, social media, Big Tech, emerging trends and how they impact our everyday lives. Her work has been featured on CNN, NBC, NPR, the BBC, Mashable and more. Microsoft's controversial and delayed Recall feature is starting to gradually roll out in preview to more Windows Insiders. In a blog post on Thursday, the company said the tool is available for Windows Insiders using Copilot PCs - Snapdragon-powered, AI-enabled computers. Windows Insiders are a group of users who test prerelease versions of its software. Last May, Microsoft's Recall tool for Windows 11 made headlines when it teased a tool that acts like a "time machine," allowing Windows users to find anything previously displayed on their screen, from documents and images to websites, by searching for keywords. Recall captures screenshots of the screen throughout the day, stores them securely on the device and uses AI to organize and make this data searchable. But it quickly faced scrutiny from privacy advocates, forcing Microsoft to delay the rollout for additional review. In November, the company started rolling out an early version of the tool to some Windows Insiders. But it later faced challenges around capturing screenshots of credit card and Social Security numbers during early testing. Thursday's announcement comes months after the company said it was conducting an internal review to ensure it delivers on security and privacy. The preview launch date was initially planned for sometime in December. Microsoft and other tech companies continue to expand and offer new AI-powered features as part of a greater effort to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Yet many companies, including Microsoft, are still trying to navigate the security and privacy challenges that arise from generative AI. Microsoft says that to use Recall, people will need to opt in to saving snapshots and enroll in Windows Hello - a biometric security method - to confirm their identity to access the snapshots. "You are always in control of what snapshots are saved and can pause saving snapshots at any time," the blog post says.

Microsoft rolling Windows Recall back into Copilot+ PCs

Redmond hopes you've forgotten or got over why everyone hated it the first time After temporarily shelving its controversial Windows Recall feature amid a wave of backlash, Microsoft is back at it - now quietly slipping the screenshotting app into the Windows 11 Release Preview channel for Copilot+ PCs, signaling its near-readiness for general availability. In May last year, at its Build developer conference, Microsoft introduced Recall, a feature that silently takes screenshots of your desktop every few seconds and stashes them in a local database so you can later scrub through the footage to recall - get it? - what you were doing on your PC at a particular point in time. The functionality was set to grow to allow you to rummage through that database, using AI, to pull up specific actions based on search terms, as well as take snapshots of application activity, instant messages and other communications, websites viewed, keystrokes, and any other data available, so that it could all be, well, recalled using that AI-powered search. If you were doing something last week and couldn't quite remember the details, you could pull it up and replay it using Recall. At the time, Microsoft said the functionality would ship enabled by default on its upcoming Copilot+ PCs. The AI would run locally alongside the database, using the PC's hardware acceleration. The upside is that you can jump back to work or study you were doing days ago, which can be handy. The downside, one of them at least, is that your PC is now literally logging everything you're doing, so if someone were to compromise or steal it, and be able to use it as you, they could not only monitor future activity, they could replay your earlier actions. Redmond tried to calm the inevitable privacy uproar by claiming its AI would automatically redact sensitive info, such as passwords and financial data, in the browser, but only if you were using Edge. Microsoft Research chief scientist Jaime Teevan was wheeled out to pitch Recall as a necessity for the AI age. Meanwhile, security researchers such as Alex Hagenah casually sidestepped the software's data protections with a proof-of-concept tool dubbed TotalRecall, which could extract and display data from Recall's SQLite database. Following the backlash from infosec pros, IT admins, privacy advocates, and everyone in between, Redmond paused the launch last June. But you can't keep a bad idea down, it seems. By November, Microsoft was quietly trying again -- this time with Recall turned off by default and limited to Copilot+ PCs running Windows Insider builds in the Dev Channel, specifically those powered by Qualcomm silicon. Support for Intel and AMD Copilot+ machines followed later. On Thursday, Microsoft dropped Windows 11 Build 26100.3902 into the Release Preview channel - the final stop before mainstream release - and yes, Recall made the cut. Redmond said, "features and improvements might not be available to all users because they will roll out gradually." "Recall (preview) will be available starting early 2025 in most markets, rolling out to the European Economic Area later this year. Optimized for select languages (English, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Japanese, and Spanish)," the release's footnotes state. The latest Recall build works with major browsers including Edge, Firefox, Opera, and Google Chrome. Snapshots and the contextual data extracted from them, and presumably other apps being used, are saved and encrypted locally. Accessing your screenshot archive requires Windows Hello authentication, and you'll need one of Microsoft's Copilot+ PCs with an NPU to handle the AI processing demands. Redmond insists the data all stays on your PC's local storage. "Recall does not share snapshots or associated data with Microsoft or third parties," it said, "nor is it shared between different Windows users on the same device. "Windows will ask for your permission before saving snapshots. You are always in control, and you can delete snapshots, pause or turn them off at any time. Any future options for the user to share data will require fully informed explicit action by the user." Maybe these changes will be enough to reassure anyone outside of Microsoft management meetings that Recall is a good idea, but we doubt it. Many users may be ready to "consider this a divorce," to quote a certain Austrian-American. ®

Window’s Controversial Recall Is Back â€" Here’s How to Control It

Microsoft's AI-powered Recall feature screenshots almost everything, and if you care about privacy, that still poses a problem. Remember Recall? It’s been close to full trip around the sun since Microsoft announced then suddenly pulled its AI-powered, auto-screenshotting “photographic memory†software for Copilot+ PCs. Whether you want it or not, the feature is coming back, and you should be prepared for it not just if you’re planning to use it, but if you imagine any of your friends, family, or coworkers plan to use it too. Microsoft’s latest blog about the Windows Insider build KB5055627 includes the note that Recall is rolling out “gradually†to beta users over the coming weeks. Like what Microsoft first showed off in May 2024, Recall automatically screenshots most apps, webpages, or documents you’re on. The system catalogues all these screenshots then uses on-device AI to parse what’s on each screenshot. Users can then search through those screenshots and return to those pages with a single click. If you’re the type of person who can’t remember jack about what webpage you were using yesterday, it does seem like it could be a nifty feature. We expect Microsoft to show off the rejiggered Recall at its Build conference that starts on May 19. Recall’s caveats, however, are many. As detailed in the feature’s about page, Recall will eat up a portion of your storage and dedicate it exclusively to the rotating volume of screenshots. By default, a SSD with 1 TB or more will dedicate 150 GB to the feature. You also need to set how long you want the PC to store screenshots. You can change those settings under Privacy & Security in Recall & Snapshots. That’s where Recall buts up against a whole host of privacy and security concerns. Microsoft originally recalled Recall when security experts found glaring, obvious holes in the software that let any user with access to the PC read the AI’s excerpts. The program had no qualms about screenshotting bank accounts, social security numbers, or any other sensitive information. Microsoft returned Recall to the drawing board, and now users need to enroll in Windows Hello biometric or PIN security to access the screenshots. Users can also pause screenshots or filter out certain apps or specific webpages (though only for Edge, Firefox, Opera, and Chrome browsers). That may not be foolproof, as reports from late last year showed Recall failed to detect when it was looking at bank info. It will be up to users to ensure every sensitive page they visit is on the no-go list. Users will choose whether to enable or disable Recall the first time they startup their device with the new update. To disable it, you need to search “Turn Windows features on or off†in the Windows 11 taskbar, then uncheck Recall. For folk with poor memories and even worse file management abilities, Recall can sound very tempting. I’ve used the software in its original form a few times, and it seemed relatively simple and effective, though as all on-device AI search features (see also Google Photos) you may uncover documents you didn’t want. This is where some security-focused Windows users are especially concerned. You can tell Recall to gather dust alongside all the other pre-installed Windows apps, but that doesn’t mean your less-tech literate family member will. Security blogger Em pointed out in a Mastodon post (via Ars Technica) if you send that family member any photos or sensitive information, they could be scraping everything you text or email them, including family photos or passwords, and you wouldn’t even know it. Users who are concerned about privacy and security shouldn’t be offloading sensitive information though an unsecured text or email app in the first place. Still, let's be honest, most users won’t be keen on migrating to Signal chats when they’re all stuck in their ways on Discord or Messenger. To be clear, Microsoft should not expect every base user to be a privacy expert. The feature would likely be less of a problem if Recall were disabled by default and users needed to enable it in settings, or if users needed to download it as a separate app. I may end up using Recall, but not on my home PC when that 150 GB of storage could be better used for my games (which, in today’s age, is equivalent to one whole Baldur’s Gate III).

Windows 11's controversial Recall feature could soon arrive for Copilot+ PCs - I just hope Microsoft's tightening of its privacy is up to scratch

However, the rollout will likely be a gradual one (as is the case in Release Preview testing right now) Those wondering where Windows 11's controversial Recall feature has got to - last seen lost in testing somewhere - well, it looks like Microsoft is readying to release this AI-powered search functionality for real soon enough. The Verge highlighted that Microsoft has pushed out a new test build (version 26100.3902) in the Release Preview channel, and that this comes with both Recall and its partner feature Click to Do (context-sensitive AI-driven suggestions). There are four main testing channels for Windows 11, and Release Preview is the last stage before hitting finished versions of the desktop operating system - as the name denotes, it's the final stage before release. In short, it looks like Recall and Click to Do could soon arrive for everyone (who has a Copilot+ PC - remember, these AI features need the powerful NPU that's a requirement for those devices). When Recall does pitch up, it'll be optimized for only an initial small set of languages. Those are: English, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Japanese, and Spanish. For those who've forgotten - though that's unlikely, given all the controversy this capability has caused since its revelation last year - Recall uses AI and regularly taken screenshots of the activity on your PC to drive an in-depth natural language search. (Queries such as: "Find that document where I wrote my packing list for holidays abroad.") While that certainly promises to be very useful, there have been many privacy and security concerns around Recall, which has led Microsoft to take a bunch of steps to shore up those areas. That includes the introduction of Windows Hello sign-in to confirm it's actually you present at the Copilot+ PC when using Recall. This is exciting news for those who want to use Recall, of course, and interesting for those of us who don't feel drawn to the feature yet, but still want to see how it plays out in the real-world. This is Microsoft's cornerstone AI feature for Copilot+ PCs, of course, so it's going to be watched keenly by a whole lot of eyes. And prodded and poked at by a whole lot of security experts and hackers (white hat or otherwise). Will Microsoft be nervous? Most likely, certainly about the reaction this is going to be met with, and how bulletproof Recall actually is security-wise, when it launches on a grand scale - although we need to hold our horses a bit on that front. Recall will still likely be labelled a preview ability, even when it releases to finished Windows 11 Copilot+ devices. There'll be a limited rollout to begin with, as well, when Recall formally debuts. Even right now in testing, Microsoft has said that the rollout is a gradual one, so not all testers will see this straight away. I'm guessing the speed of the rollout in Release Preview will depend on how well this last phase of testing progresses. In the footnotes for the blog post for this new preview build, Microsoft tells us that Recall will be available in "early 2025 in most markets" which is a bit odd, seeing as that timeframe has already sailed in my book. (I'd call Q1 the early part of the year, and of course we're in Q2 now, in April). However, Microsoft also clarifies that Recall won't be coming to Europe early in 2025, and that it'll be "rolling out to the European Economic Area later this year" instead. That's presumably due to the data regulations in that region, which has been the cause of a number of capabilities being put on ice.

Windows 11's controversial AI Recall feature is coming to your Copilot PC very soon

As AI strides on, it inevitably finds its way onto our personal devices, with tech giants announcing new features that rely on accessing our private information and media to serve us better. While some might find this useful, others are bound to find it creepy, and one such feature is Microsoft's controversial AI Recall, which takes screenshots of everything you do on a Copilot PC so it's easier to trace back your steps and find something specific later. After being announced last year, and then witnessing a few delays, Recall is finally rolling out to a broader group of Windows 11. Microsoft recently announced Recall is coming to Windows 11 with the latest Release channel update with build 26100.3902 (KB5055627). The feature's availability in the Windows 11 Release Preview channel, which succeeds the Beta channel in the Windows Insider program, means it is in the initial phases of being available to a wider audience of folks who own Copilot+ PC. This category of PCs currently includes a whole wide range of laptops with specialized hardware in the form of a neural processing unit (NPU) dedicatedly for running AI tasks, though we might see desktops joining the club soon. Recommended Videos Recall was originally set to go live in October last year, but was only limited to Insiders in Windows 11's Developer Preview and Beta channels. Most controversial Windows feature yet? Microsoft describes Recall as a tool to utilize "AI capabilities of Copilot+ PCs" and enables you "to quickly find and get back to any app, website, image, or document just by describing its content." It does so by collecting "snapshots" of your activities on the PC, which can be later referenced in the dedicated app for its feature. All of this information is presented on a timeline that you can scrub like a video track. It easily tops other divisive features, be it Windows 8's full-screen Start menu or switchover from Control Panel, we have witnessed over the last few generations of Windows. While Microsoft says this is "done on your PC securely" and screenshots cannot be accessed without physical access to a laptop, there have been several concerns about the company snooping on its users. From initial unrest right after its announcement in the summer of '24 to the UK's data and privacy watchdog perking up its ears, Recall has led to several -- warranted -- concerns. More annoyingly, you can't uninstall Recall on your Copilot+ PC, though you will have the option of not opting in to the snapshot functionality. If that's any consolation, it won't be available on desktops or older laptops that don't quality for the Copilot+ badging. Along with Recall, Microsoft is also bringing a "Click to Do" functionality, which lets you work with any text or media on the screen by offering an extra set of options, much like Google's Circle-to-Search when using Windows + mouse-click together. Additionally, the update is bringing enhanced search for settings or files stored on your Windows PC by typing search queries remotely similar to what you need instead of having to using in the exact keyword. While these features roll out to the Insider's Release Preview channel, we have yet to learn of a more concrete timeline for the stable channels. We will share those details as soon as we learn then, just in case you are as eager to try the debatable Recall feature as Microsoft is to roll it out.

Microsoft Recall is gradually rolling out -- will new privacy features get you to try Windows AI?

Recall was one of the signature new AI features for Copilot+ PCs announced by Microsoft at its Build event on May 20, 2024. On Thursday, almost a year later, Microsoft started a gradual rollout of Recall to Windows Insiders. So why the delay? The concept behind Recall sounds excellent; it knows what you've done on your PC, allowing you to pull up anything you've seen with simple semantic searches describing what you remember. Here's how Microsoft describes it: "Unlock your photographic memory with Recall." That may be the greatest sales pitch for buying one of the best AI laptops that I've heard, but Recall faced immediate backlash over privacy concerns, with Microsoft first changing it to an opt-in feature that you had to activate and then removing it entirely. It became one of the biggest AI controversies of 2024. See also: Best laptop deals in April 2025 However, Microsoft did not give up on Recall, making small changes and allowing limited sets of Windows users to continue testing it out. In December 2024, Laptop Mag contributing writer Shubham Agarwal spent weeks using the Microsoft Recall preview, and while he was initially put off by the privacy concerns, he stuck with it and found it "to be a game-changer and a glimpse into the future of desktop productivity." Microsoft is taking another swing at bringing the feature to market via the Windows Insider program before a presumed eventual rollout to all Windows 11 users. Before that happens, let's take a look at the feature as it exists today -- because you might have the chance to opt in to Recal soon. Despite the rocky road for Recall, it retains the same promise and feature set we saw in May 2024. The goal is for you to be able to find anything you've seen or done on your Windows PC using a simple search bar rather than having to dig through multiple apps, files, or your browser history. The biggest changes are all around the privacy guardrails that are in place. The first is that the feature remains opt-in, even for those in the Windows Insider preview. You have to launch Recall and then toggle the option to "Save snapshots" by going into Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots. If you have concerns, you can also check this setting and verify that it's in the off position. Second, you can manually filter apps or websites from inclusion in Recall snapshots by adding them to an exclusion list that is also found in Recall & snapshots settings. This filtering option is in addition to the auto-filtering of sensitive information, which is designed to exclude passwords, ID numbers, and credit card numbers from snapshots. (However, Tom's Hardware reported late last year that Recall still would screenshot information like credit card and Social Security numbers.) You also must enroll in Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security with one or more biometric sign-in options to use Recall. And finally, the snapshots are processed on-device without going to the cloud, which is why your laptop must meet the following hardware requirements: If you are a member of the Windows Insider Program in the U.S., Recall started rolling out on Thursday of this week, so if you don't have it already, it should arrive soon. For Windows 11 users who aren't part of the Insider program, there's no official statement from Microsoft regarding the rollout yet. Given the gradual rollout of the feature to Insiders even with Recall still flagged as in "preview," it seems clear that the company isn't going to rush it to a wide release. If you can't wait, you can register for the Windows Insider Program and join the release preview channel. The biggest question for Microsoft next is whether the influx of new Recall users will create another privacy panic or if Windows Insiders will be wowed by the feature and become evangelists for it. The truth may be somewhere in between, but if Recall can't convince the Windows Insider audience, it will likely have trouble breaking through to mainstream users. While the existence of a single "killer app" for AI remains in question, features like Recall certainly have strong potential. We'll watch with interest to see if Microsoft's slow and steady approach with Recall finally pays off.

Microsoft is finally rolling out its controversial Recall feature that screenshots everything you do (again), but only for select users

Microsoft's controversial AI screenshotting tool, Recall, is back again after being, well, recalled numerous times. Nearly a year after its divisive announcement, Microsoft is finally rolling out Recall on Windows 11, but it's still not available for most users (and you probably shouldn't use it even if you do have access). Recall uses AI to "remember" things you've done on your Windows 11 PC by taking screenshots every few seconds in case you ever need help remembering something. A preview version of the feature is now set for a "gradual rollout" to members of the Windows Insider program, meaning Recall is still not available to the general public. That's probably for the best. This isn't the first time Microsoft has attempted to launch Recall, but it keeps having to reel back the feature due to a slew of privacy issues and backlash from users. For instance, researchers spotted an earlier version of Recall storing sensitive data as unsecured plain text files. Recall was also caught screenshotting credit card numbers and social security numbers. Microsoft made some major changes back in September to address many of the initial issues with Recall, and changed it to an opt-in feature, meaning it would no longer be turned on by default. Microsoft requires users to set up Windows Hello to authenticate any attempt to access Recall data, and the sensitive data also thankfully isn't saved as plain text files anymore. So, for what it's worth, Recall is currently safer overall than it was when Microsoft originally announced it. You should still be careful about using it, though, assuming you're a "lucky" Windows Insider member who has access to it. While Microsoft has made it harder for hackers to access and steal your Recall data, you're still trusting Microsoft itself to protect huge amounts of data about yourself and the way you use your computer. Depending on how comfortable you are with that, turning Recall on may seem fairly low-risk. Microsoft has said that it can't access or view your Recall data, which its Copilot AI processes locally on your device (meaning that data isn't sent to the cloud). You can also freely pause or deactivate Recall, delete your screenshots, or filter out certain content and apps. I'm still not in any hurry to activate it on my Windows laptop. Considering Recall's turbulent history, I'd rather wait and see how the preview version turns out since more security issues could still pop up. While you risk your privacy any time you go on the internet, Recall takes privacy risks to a whole new level by literally watching everything on your screen. Some have even gone so far as to call Recall "spyware" and compare it to a virus.

Round 2: Microsoft's controversial Recall feature is back

Microsoft is rolling out its controversial Recall feature, an AI-powered tool that takes screenshots of user activity on Windows 11 PCs, to select Windows Insider program members. The feature, which has been recalled multiple times due to privacy concerns, is now available as a preview version for a "gradual rollout" to Insiders. Recall uses AI to "remember" user activity by capturing screenshots every few seconds. Initially, the feature faced criticism for storing sensitive data as unsecured plain text files and screenshotting sensitive information like credit card numbers and social security numbers. Microsoft addressed some of these concerns in September by making Recall an opt-in feature, requiring Windows Hello authentication to access Recall data, and securing sensitive data. The company claims that Recall data is processed locally on the device and not sent to the cloud, and users can pause or delete screenshots and filter out certain content. Despite these changes, concerns remain about the potential risks of using Recall, with some critics labeling it "spyware" due to its ability to capture everything on the screen. Microsoft has stated that it cannot access or view Recall data, but users still need to trust the company to protect their data.

Microsoft Now Wants You to Try the Controversial Windows Recall Feature Again

Windows Just Created a Mysterious Folder on Your PC, but It's Nothing Serious Microsoft's controversial Recall feature has once again started rolling out to Windows Insiders. But should you try the feature after it was flagged for being a security and privacy risk? Recall Is Making a Comeback Microsoft announced in a Windows blog post that a preview of the Recall feature is coming in Windows 11 Build 26100.3902 to Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel. This essentially acts as a time machine, taking screenshots regularly over time and using AI to make them organized and searchable. This means you can search through your screens, documents, images on websites, and more using natural language. The feature turned heads for being a privacy nightmare soon after its May 2024 announcement, forcing Microsoft to delay a wider push and weed out the issues. The company re-released the Recall feature to Windows Insiders in November 2024 after improving how it handles screenshots and addressing other privacy concerns. However, this version ended up capturing sensitive info like credit card and Social Security numbers, prompting Microsoft to further delay the rollout. Microsoft also promised to conduct an internal review to resolve all security and privacy concerns. Related Microsoft's "Recall" Feature Looks Like a Privacy Nightmare and I Don't Want It Do you really want a screenshot taken every few seconds? Posts At the moment, the feature requires you to opt into saving snapshots. Windows Hello biometric authentication is also required for people to confirm their identity before accessing the snapshots. According to Microsoft: You are always in control of what snapshots are saved and can pause saving snapshots at any time. The rollout is limited to Snapdragon-powered Windows Copilot+ PCs. However, with Intel and AMD-powered Windows machines getting Copilot+ AI features, the gradual rollout might also include the feature. Other features coming with the update include better Windows Search, Click to Do (preview), plus updates for the Windows narrator, Widgets, Phone Link, Taskbar, display, Windows Share, and more. Should You Give Recall a Second Chance? Recall is one of those situations where there are benefits to letting Windows invade your privacy. It might be a privacy nightmare to cybersecurity experts, but it's a massive convenience for everyday people. While Microsoft initially made bold claims about the feature's security and privacy protections, cybersecurity experts easily tore those down. Researchers were even able to demonstrate how malware can steal data collected by Recall. The feature rolling out to a wider audience will test Microsoft's subsequent claims about having fixed the security and privacy issues. If there are issues with this release of Recall, we could see it being pulled back for further improvements. Privacy issues aside, you should seriously try Recall. Microsoft has spent almost a year ironing out the problems raised earlier by experts. With those concerns out of the way, Recall offers an extremely handy way of looking up what you were doing in the past and bring back data or a memory that would otherwise be lost.

Microsoft's Controversial Recall AI Feature Begins Rollout, Privacy Concerns Remain

Microsoft said its controversial Recall feature was "trustworthy and secure" Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images Microsoft has started rolling out its controversial AI-powered tool for some users of its AI PCs and laptops. Copilot+ Recall was initially met with pushback from privacy experts and users who believed the feature could dangerously create a treasure trove of personal information for potential bad actors. The tech giant stripped some of Recall's most controversial features last year as it claimed to work towards a release with "security and privacy in mind." Revamped Recall Microsoft's Recall constantly screenshots screen activity so users can easily search for information they saw earlier. The idea behind this is that all the data will be stored and indexed locally on a PC, allowing users to easily search for lost websites, documents, and conversations. "We have heard a clear signal that we can make it easier for people to choose to enable Recall on their Copilot+ PC and improve privacy and security safeguards," Pavan Davuluri, corporate vice president of Windows and devices, said in June. As previously reported, Recall will remain an "opt-in" feature and will not be turned on by default for users. What Happened To Recall? The feature, initially slated for a June debut, was met with widespread concern from security experts warning that the AI search feature will save too much personal information. Privacy campaigner Dr Kris Shrishak, told the BBC that while the "opt-in" system was "an improvement," the feature remained a significant security risk. "Information about other people, who cannot consent, will be captured and processed through Recall," he said. The feature will take screenshots of everything on the screen, meaning text messages and files sent from someone that were intended to be private will be stored locally on the device. "Think of disappearing messages on Signal that is stored on Recall forever," he added. Microsoft Upgrades Microsoft has urged that the feature does not share snapshots or data with "Microsoft or third parties," and also requires confirmation of identity before a user can gain access. "You are always in control of what snapshots are saved and can pause saving snapshots at any time," Microsoft wrote in an April 10 blog post . Microsoft also claimed that users can toggle which apps and browsers use the feature, and users are able to delete screenshots they do not want. Ethical Hacker Exposed Feature In June 2024, when early versions of Recall began being released to Windows candidates, an ethical hacker launched a tool that successfully gained access to all information stored on the machine. The PCs are specifically designed to run AI tasks on neural processing units, giving users access to expansive video editing, data management, and, of course, Recall. On Wednesday, April 9, a senior executive at Dell told PTI that by 2028, nearly 98% of all PCs will include AI capabilities. "By 2028, almost 98 percent of all PCs will be AI PCs, equipped with new neural processing units that can handle AI tasks directly on the device," Belgundi said. "It will take productivity, creativity, and collaboration to new levels during the workday. It's going to be huge," he added.