Microsoft’s Recall Feature Re-Launches After Delays and Controversy
Following a series of delays and pauses, Microsoft is giving its problematic Recall feature another shot. It was tested last fall in the Dev Channel as an early, experimental feature, but it is now gradually rolling out in the Release Preview Channel.
Now Available in Preview
In a blog post published Thursday, the company announced that Recall is now available in preview mode for Windows Insiders running Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.3902. Available only on Copilot+ PCs, this is the first preview of the May 2025 update. Assuming Recall doesn’t trigger any further issues or concerns, you can expect the feature to go live next month.
What is Recall?
Initially announced in May 2024, the AI-powered Recall has been touted by Microsoft as photographic memory for your computer. By taking a series of snapshots of your activity in Windows, the feature acts as an advanced search tool that lets you quickly find things you’ve done and seen. On the surface, that sounds like a great way to help you find files, apps, settings, and other content.
Privacy Concerns
But any feature that takes snapshots of everything you see and do in Windows also sounds like a privacy risk. After learning how Recall works, Windows users expressed concerns, while some security experts called it a “privacy nightmare.”
Back to the Drawing Board
The complaints forced Microsoft to go back to the drawing board, pausing the intended rollout of Recall while it fine-tuned some of its more problematic areas. The company put the feature on hold last June. A month later, Microsoft revealed that it was shifting from Recall as a preview experience broadly available for Copilot+ PCs to a preview initially available to Windows Insider Program sometime “in the coming weeks.” Those “coming weeks” eventually turned into October, which then turned into December.
Changes and Adjustments
Microsoft has tried to calm potential users by asserting that your snapshots aren’t shared with the company or with third parties and aren’t used for training purposes. The snapshot data is encrypted, so only the user can access it through Windows Hello authentication. With all the tune-ups and explanations, Microsoft clearly thinks that Recall is at least ready for Insider testing.
How It Works
“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,” Microsoft said in its blog post. “When you need to find or get back to something you’ve done previously, open Recall and authenticate with Windows Hello.”
Security and Protection
Recall won’t be enabled by default, so you’ll need to opt in to use it. You’ll then need to set up Windows Hello, which means you can access your snapshots only through facial or fingerprint recognition, a PIN, or a physical security key. You can turn off the feature at any time if you no longer want it to be active.
Conclusion
With all the ups and downs of Recall, will it finally catch on, or will people continue to resist it? We’ll see what happens after more Windows users take it for a spin.
FAQs
Q: What is Recall?
A: Recall is an AI-powered feature that takes snapshots of your activity in Windows, acting as an advanced search tool to help you find things you’ve done and seen.
Q: Is Recall enabled by default?
A: No, Recall is not enabled by default. You’ll need to opt in to use it and set up Windows Hello authentication to access your snapshots.
Q: How secure is Recall?
A: Recall’s snapshot data is encrypted, and only the user can access it through Windows Hello authentication. The feature is not shared with the company or third parties, and is not used for training purposes.
Q: Can I turn off Recall?
A: Yes, you can turn off Recall at any time if you no longer want it to be active.
