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Microsoft has officially rolled out the much-anticipated ‘Recall’ feature for Copilot+ PCs, after several months of delays and privacy concerns.
This AI-powered tool allows users to visually scroll through a timeline of their past activities, including apps, websites, and documents. Additionally, it lets users search for content using natural language.
Privacy Concerns and Security Measures
The Recall feature has raised privacy concerns due to its screenshot capture. But Microsoft has implemented safeguards to address them. Recall is an opt-in experience, meaning users can choose whether or not to activate it. All data collected by Recall is encrypted and stored locally on users’ devices. This ensures the data remains secure and is not shared with Microsoft or sent to the cloud.
To further address privacy concerns, Microsoft has integrated advanced security measures, including the use of a security-focused TPM chip and encryption keys to protect Recall data. Moreover, application filters have been added to prevent sensitive information, such as passwords, from being captured by the feature.
Integration with AI and Other Features
The Recall feature is part of Microsoft’s broader effort to enhance Windows with AI capabilities. The April 2025 update also includes improvements to Windows Search. It also features a preview of the ‘Click to Do’ tool, which assists with actions like summarizing or editing on-screen content. These features are currently available only on Copilot+ PCs, a new category of Windows devices designed to run AI models locally.
Copilot+ PCs
Copilot+ PCs, which were introduced in May 2024, represent a significant step forward in Windows devices, featuring advanced neural processing units (NPUs) for AI tasks. As of the 2024 holiday quarter, 15% of premium-priced laptops sold in the U.S. were Copilot+ PCs, marking their growing popularity. Microsoft plans for these devices to become a standard across PC sales in the coming years.
