Photo by Nicola Barts on Pexels
Microsoft has officially released its Recall feature for Copilot Plus PCs, accompanied by an enhanced AI-driven Windows search and the new Click to Do tool. Recall, designed to capture snapshots of virtually everything displayed on a Copilot Plus PC, is intended to revolutionize PC search by cataloging these snapshots for effortless retrieval based on context and memory rather than specific file names.
The launch follows extensive security reviews and postponements. Originally scheduled for release with Copilot Plus PCs in June, Recall faced criticism from security experts, leading Microsoft to revise its security framework and implement it as an opt-in feature. Users concerned about privacy implications now have the option to disable it. According to Navjot Virk, Corporate Vice President of Windows Experiences at Microsoft, Recall aims to solve the common frustration of resuming interrupted tasks.
Initial reviews of Recall described it as “creepy, clever, and compelling,” highlighting a significant advancement in Windows search capabilities by understanding images and content in a more intuitive manner. However, privacy concerns remain due to increased data storage requirements and the need to manage blocked applications and websites.
Security researcher Kevin Beaumont, an initial critic, has acknowledged Microsoft’s improvements to Recall’s security, including database encryption and default filtering of sensitive data. However, he noted that filtering can be inconsistent and potentially buggy. He also underscored the use of a simple four-digit PIN as an alternative to mandatory facial recognition or fingerprint authentication for Windows Hello unlock, a potential security loophole. While Microsoft’s documentation states that biometric sign-in is required, the availability of PIN unlock remains a potential vulnerability.
Alongside Recall, Copilot Plus PCs now incorporate AI-powered Windows search, allowing users to use natural language queries to locate files, images, or settings. For example, searching for “brown dog” can quickly find an image of a brown dog without requiring knowledge of the filename or creation date.
Click to Do, similar to Google’s Circle to Search, provides quick access to actions on screen text and images through Windows key + left mouse click, including text summarization and object removal from images. While Recall and the improved Windows search are available on all Copilot Plus PCs, text-based actions within Click to Do are initially exclusive to devices powered by Qualcomm processors. AMD and Intel devices will receive this feature in the coming months. Both Recall and Click to Do are available in most regions and languages, excluding EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway until later this year.