Big Changes Coming to Microsoft's Recall for Copilot Plus
Update: On June 13, 2024, Microsoft offered the following update on Recall.
"Recall will now shift from a preview experience broadly available for Copilot+ PCs on June 18, 2024, to a preview available first in the Windows Insider Program (WIP) in the coming weeks. Following receiving feedback on Recall from our Windows Insider Community, as we typically do, we plan to make Recall (preview) available for all Copilot+ PCs coming soon."
Microsoft is tweaking its Recall feature for Copilot Plus PCs (also called "Copilot+") even before its official debut, after hearing customer and industry feedback about privacy and security concerns. The Recall feature, a cornerstone of the first wave of Copilot Plus PCs powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X chips, is set to launch on June 18. Initial brands of Copilot Plus PCs include HP, Dell, Lenovo, and Microsoft's own Surface line.
Originally announced as an opt-out feature that would be set to "on" by default, Recall received significant attention because of its ability to log user activity and take screenshots in order to provide a detailed, searchable history of everything you've done on a Windows 11 PC.
In response, Microsoft has now made Recall an opt-in feature, ensuring that it will only be activated with user permission during the setup process.
Users will also need to authenticate via Windows Hello methods, such as facial recognition or fingerprint scans, to access their activity timeline. This authentication step adds a layer of protection, ensuring that snapshots remain secure. Additionally, Recall employs “just in time” decryption, meaning snapshots are only decrypted when the user is authenticated, further enhancing security.
Recall is more than just a memory feature; it represents a crucial part of Microsoft's broader AI strategy for Windows 11. Recall allows users to search through activity history, even if they don't remember the exact file name or even file type they're looking for. That could include finding a specific webpage visited weeks ago or a PowerPoint presentation with a non-intuitive name like "final_V2b_edited.pdf" or similar.
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A significant advantage of the Recall feature is its local processing capability. Unlike AI tools that rely heavily on cloud-based processing, Recall processes data directly on the device. This local approach ensures that user snapshots are stored safely on the device and are not sent to external servers. That's why these Copilot Plus tools require a minimum of 40 TOPS (or terra operations per second). Right now, Recall and other new AI features in Copilot Plus PCs need a laptop with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite or X Plus chip, but new Intel and AMD systems should support these tools later in 2024.
Microsoft's decision to modify the Recall feature comes after extensive feedback from users and industry experts after the feature was announced during the Microsoft Build event in May, 2024. By allowing users to decide whether to activate Recall, Microsoft is aligning with the broader industry trend of taking public concerns about AI seriously, ensuring new features can be tailored to individual needs while minimizing any potential risks.
Copilot Plus PCs are coming to Micro Center starting June 18, and select models can even be pre-ordered now.
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Micro Center Editor-in-Chief Dan Ackerman is a veteran tech reporter and has served as Editor-in-Chief of Gizmodo and Editorial Director at CNET. He's been testing and reviewing laptops and other consumer tech for almost 20 years and is the author of The Tetris Effect, a Cold War history of the world's most influential video game. Contact Dan at dackerman@microcenter.com.
