Microsoft has announced that Windows Insiders will get access to the controversial Recall feature in Windows 11 this October. The software giant originally planned to launch Recall on the first generation of Copilot Plus PCs this summer, but ultimately scrapped the idea due to privacy and security concerns.
In mid-June, Microsoft said that Recall, which records PC users’ activities so they can continue tasks later, would be available to Insiders “in the coming weeks.” However, it now looks like it will be in the coming months. “As part of our commitment to delivering a robust and secure Recall (Preview) experience to customers on Copilot Plus PCs, we are pleased to announce that Recall will be available to Windows Insiders starting in October,” Microsoft said in a statement.
How Recall Works and Hardware Requirements
Recall uses locally running AI algorithms to record user actions in apps, during online conversations, web browsing, etc. The data saved during Recall is displayed on the timeline, allowing the user to find the information they are interested in from the past and return to interacting with it. However, Recall will not work on any Windows 11 PC, as it requires a processor with an integrated neural coprocessor (NPU).
Microsoft claimed that Recall is a secure and private tool that runs locally on the user’s device. However, security researchers found that the data collected by this tool was stored in an unencrypted database, which could potentially allow malware to access user data. Microsoft is currently looking to rework Recall. It is expected that the feature will not work by default as planned, and users will have to activate it themselves. In addition, the Recall database will be encrypted, and Windows Hello will be used for authentication.
Security Concerns and Future Plans
Microsoft did not specify the exact reasons for delaying the launch of Recall, notes NIX Solutions. At the same time, the company reminded that “security remains our top priority, and we will publish more details in a blog post when Recall becomes available to Insiders in October.” It is quite possible that Microsoft simply needs more time to ensure the security of the new feature. However, this may mean that the Recall feature will not appear in stable versions of Windows 11 this year, since testing new tools among Insiders usually takes several months.
We’ll keep you updated on any developments regarding the Recall feature and its implementation in Windows 11. As Microsoft continues to address privacy and security concerns, it’s clear that the company is taking a cautious approach to rolling out this new functionality.