Microsoft has broadened the reach of its Windows Recall AI feature to include Intel- and AMD-powered Copilot+ PCs, building on its initial rollout for devices with Qualcomm processors.
Recall offers an innovative way to navigate past digital activity by capturing periodic screenshots of open applications, websites, and documents. These snapshots, indexed through artificial intelligence, allow users to retrieve content using natural language queries like “budget presentation” or “email draft.”
The feature is more than just a search tool; it serves as a visual archive of a user’s work, accessible through a timeline interface that lets them revisit specific moments.
Accompanying Recall is the “Click to Do” feature, which enables users to interact directly with saved snapshots by copying text, saving images, or rewriting and summarizing content.
From Promises to Delays: The Path to Refinement
Recall was first unveiled at Microsoft’s Build conference in May 2024 as a flagship feature for Copilot+ PCs. It promised a seamless blend of productivity and AI but faced immediate scrutiny from privacy advocates who raised concerns about unencrypted screenshot storage and potential misuse.
The feature’s original release, planned for June, was postponed as Microsoft overhauled its architecture. Brandon LeBlanc, Senior product manager Brandon LeBlanc acknowledged in November that the delays—originally from June to October and finally to November 23—were necessary to ensure a “secure and trusted experience”.
Privacy concerns have remained central to Recall’s development. Unlike earlier iterations that stored screenshots unencrypted, the current version offers users full control over their data. Snapshots can be paused, deleted, or excluded for specific apps and websites.
For enterprise users, Microsoft has implemented additional safeguards. IT administrators can disable Recall entirely or limit its functionality by preventing specific apps or sites from being captured. These measures reflect Microsoft’s effort to cater to both individual users and corporate environments.
- Screenshots are now encrypted using device-bound keys stored in the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), ensuring that only authorized users can access them.
- Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) isolates these snapshots in protected memory regions, shielding them from malware attacks.
- Sensitive data filtering, powered by Microsoft Purview, prevents the capture of passwords, credit card details, and other personal information.
Expanding Features and Capabilities
Build 26120.2510 extends Recall’s availability to Intel and AMD Copilot+ PCs while introducing additional AI-driven tools within the Windows ecosystem. Users must opt into the feature through the Windows Insider Dev Channel, install Build 26120.2510, and authenticate via Windows Hello to activate Recall.
This rollout also brings new functionality to Microsoft Photos and Paint:
- Image Creator in the Photos app allows users to generate visuals from text prompts like “forest at sunrise.”
- Restyle Image in the Photos app transforms existing photos by applying artistic effects, such as vintage or modern aesthetics.
- Cocreator in Paint offers AI-powered tools for creating digital artwork based on user input.
Last Updated on December 12, 2024 10:23 pm CET
