Following a rocky initial response and several months of revisions, Microsoft is now unveiling the first preview of its highly debated Recall feature. If you’re a Windows Insider using a Qualcomm Copilot+ PC, you can download a new build of Windows 11 that comes with both Recall and Click to Do functionalities.
If you haven’t joined the Windows Insider Program yet but wish to explore this feature, it’s simple to register on the Microsoft site. Recall was initially introduced prior to the launch of Copilot+ PCs, and it was intended to be available at that time; however, privacy and security concerns led Microsoft to postpone its rollout.
The Recall feature is designed to give your PC a “photographic memory,” enabling you to search for anything displayed on your screen using natural language. To function properly, the feature continuously captures images of your activities on the PC, which raised alarms about the safety of these snapshots.
As detailed in the Windows Insider Blog, users will need to authenticate with Windows Hello each time they access Recall. While this may enhance the perception of security, it could become a minor annoyance. To assess its true security level, many security experts are expected to examine the updated architecture of the feature’s privacy settings and report any findings through Microsoft’s Bug Bounty Program.
Moreover, you have the ability to manage which snapshots are retained and specify which applications can use this snapshot feature. Microsoft asserts that it has no access to your screenshots, does not transfer them to the cloud, and will not utilize them for AI training.
The Click to Do functionality within Recall enables you to perform actions directly from the captured images, such as copying text or storing images. If Recall doesn’t appeal to you, there’s no need to fret about it being available on all Windows 11 PCs right away. Once it does, Microsoft assures users they will have the option to completely uninstall the feature if desired.
