Microsoft finally releases controversial AI Recall feature in preview
Microsoft is introducing its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Recall feature with the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview update, the company has announced. The feature first debuted at the Microsoft Surface and AI event in May, but the first version was criticized for privacy and security concerns. and therefore its rollout to Windows Insiders testers was halted. It works on Microsoft’s new line of Copilot+ PCs running Windows 11 and records user activity via screenshots so they can perform searches at a later time.
Microsoft Recall is being rolled out
It was initially reported that the Recall feature would roll out to Windows Insiders in October, but this was postponed. In a next development, Microsoft’s Senior Product Manager Brandon LeBlanc confirmed told The Verge that it wouldn’t roll out to members of the Windows Insiders program until December.
In a blog afterMicrosoft says Recall is rolling out with the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.2415 (KB5046723) to the Dev Channel. Users registered with Microsoft’s Windows Insider program can join the channel and take advantage of this feature on their Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. In the Preview stage, it supports Chinese (Simplified), English, French, German, Japanese and Spanish. Microsoft adds that it will roll out support for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs in the future.
What is recall?
According to the company, the Recall feature uses snapshots of the user’s screen to create a photographic memory. It includes documents, emails, images and websites visited on the PC. Once done, users can describe what they are looking for via text-based prompts and Recall will provide the related results. Alternatively, they can scroll through their timeline to view snapshots from a specific period. Microsoft says this feature uses AI to provide both text and visual matches for the search query.
This feature requires login permission to save snapshots and enroll in Windows Hello, which uses BitLocker and Secure Boot. Microsoft says Recall won’t save activity snapshots if users don’t log in. A new icon is said to appear in the system tray as a visual cue when Recall takes snapshots of the screen. It also gives quick access to controls such as pausing the function or viewing more information.
According to Microsoft, users also have control over what data is stored. They can choose to manually delete snapshots or exclude an app or website from taking snaps. The company emphasizes that snapshots remain on the device and are not sent to Microsoft or third-party servers, or used to train AI models or other functions. Furthermore, it claims that the Recall feature can detect when sensitive information, such as credit card details or passwords, is displayed on the screen and not save them as snapshots.
Microsoft says Recall will be removed by default on Enterprise versions of Windows 11 and on PCs managed by an IT administrator for work or school.
