Microsoft is gradually rolling out the Recall feature in Preview mode, the company announced on its blog.
Recall is an AI-based feature that takes and analyzes user actions and then searches for relevant information based on queries. This feature will only be available on Copilot Plus PCs with NPU.
Microsoft originally planned to launch Recall with Copilot Plus PCs in June 2024, but the feature was delayed due to concerns from security experts. The company then planned to launch it in October, but that launch was also delayed so that the company could provide a "safe and reliable experience." In November 2024, Microsoft added the feature to the Windows Insider testing program for Copilot Plus PCs.
Despite Microsoft's claims about the security of the Recall feature, the main problem is that it constantly records the contents of the screen, which may include sensitive information such as passwords, personal messages, or financial data.
While Microsoft claims that all snapshots are stored only locally on the device, critics say that even local storage could pose a risk if the computer is hacked or lost. Additionally, users may simply not realize what data is being stored in Recall and how it could be used by attackers.