A year ago, Microsoft showed off a feature for its Copilot+ PCs that surprised people, it was called “Recall.” A system that takes screenshots of every activity on your computer and can “remember” that moment again with the help of AI. Now, after a while, that feature came out of the headlines, the reason was privacy concerns. But now, Microsoft has given life to “Recall” once again with all the changes and security measures, and this time, it is available to everyone.
Microsoft’s goal is clear: to rebuild Windows 11 on the foundation of AI. Under this, not only Recall, but two more great AI features have also come along, “Click to Do” and upgraded Windows Search. All these features will work only on Copilot+ PCs, which are equipped with an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) to process AI models on the local machine itself.
Microsoft introduces new AI features for Copilot+ PCs, enhancing the user experience. It aims to integrate AI more deeply into the Windows experience, providing users with smarter tools for productivity and efficiency. You may get the Microsoft Recall feature in their new Windows update.
Now let’s understand Microsoft Recall
It is no ordinary recording tool. It records everything you do on your computer, be it a browser tab, a document, a chat, or a video. Later, you can search for anything in plain language, like “slides from last week’s finance report” and” Recall will take you back to that moment. The feature is now opt-in, i.e,. activated at the user’s will, and secure access is provided through Windows Hello.
The story, however, was not so simple. Last year, Recall was discontinued soon after its launch because cybersecurity experts warned that the feature could capture private data like passwords or bank details. Microsoft then revisited the feature, making improvements to it, like storing data locally, adding a biometric lock, and keeping screenshots in encrypted format.
But the question still remains:
Can we trust a tool that records everything?
Microsoft says that you can now choose which websites to avoid from Recall in any Chromium-based browser (like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox). You can also decide for yourself how much space this data takes up on your computer, a minimum of 25 GB.
Now let’s talk about the other two AI features. The first is “Click to Do.” It is like Google’s “Circle to Search,” but for Windows. With a single Windows key + mouse click, you can rewrite text, remove objects from an image, or blur the background of a photo, all without opening any extra apps.
The second is “AI-powered Windows Search.” It is now so smart that you don’t even have to remember the name of the file. Just type “photo of mountains from last trip,” and it will find and show you. This feature can really prove to be a boon for today’s users, especially those who are bothered by technical names or folder structures.
Microsoft has high hopes for Copilot+ PC sales. 15% of all premium laptops sold in the US during last year’s holiday season were Copilot+. The company believes that most PC sales will shift to AI-based Copilot+ in the next few years.
However, Microsoft’s biggest challenge in all this is trust. It is not easy to erase the doubts and fears that the first version of Recall raised. Yes, there have been improvements, but people will not be satisfied until the promise of transparency and security is fulfilled in every update.
So, will this new move from Microsoft really make our digital experience better? Probably yes if you use it as wisely as Microsoft has carefully redesigned it.
