Windows 10: Microsoft is rolling out Recall to Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs via an optional update

Microsoft is one step closer to bringing Recall to Windows 11. The controversial feature is currently being rolled out as part of a non-security preview update, KB5055627.

Recall acts as an assistant for users who wish to find specific information of their past activities, by searching for things using natural language. The tool captures snapshots of the screen frequently, and the AI analyzes the content and stores the data in a searchable database. Microsoft backed out of its plans to release the automatic-snapshot capturing tool for Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs in June last year, when it was called out by experts for the privacy and security risks it posed to users.

In September 2024, Microsoft revealed that it had improved Recall and that it would be opt-in, and offered better privacy, because it now requires users to authenticate via Windows Hello. Earlier this month, information about the AI-powered tool resurfaced when Microsoft published the change-log for a Release Preview Build 26100.3902. It is still in preview for Copilot+ PCs, and was expected to remain so for a while.

But things seem to be progressing faster than anticipated. Windows Recall is now being tested in the stable channel of Windows 11, through an optional preview update that users may choose to install. This update also ships with Improved Windows Search, which is another feature for Copilot+ PC that uses semantic indexing models and traditional lexical indexing, to find your files faster using natural language. Another AI-feature that this update integrates is Image Search, which is designed to help users find photos stored and saved in the cloud, directly from the Start Menu. Both of these features are available for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, along with some improvements to Narrator and Phone Link.

Microsoft VP for Security David Weston confirmed to PCMag that Recall is opt-in, and users can uninstall it if they don't want to use it. The tool will use end-to-end encryption to prevent others from accessing your files, and this includes Microsoft itself. He also stated that Recall stores the data locally on the user's PC, calling it the "most secure experience on Windows" as it is protected by Windows Hello's biometric authentication.

The next Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 could bring Recall to your Copilot+ PC.

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Microsoft plans to bring Copilot to Windows 10

Read more: Exclusive: Microsoft will update Windows 10 with new AI Copilot soon | Windows Central See also: Announcing Microsoft Copilot, your everyday AI companion | Windows 11 Forum

 

Is it possible to just not have Recall on my computer

Retrace your steps with Recall - Microsoft Support

System requirements for Recall

Your PC needs the following minimum system requirements for Recall:

• A Copilot+ PC
  
• 16 GB RAM
  
• 8 logical processors
  
• 256 GB storage capacity
  
• To enable Recall, you’ll need at least 50 GB of storage space free
  
• Saving screenshots automatically pauses once the device has less than 25 GB of storage space
  

Shop Copilot+ PCs | Microsoft

Are the Copilot+ PC experiences available on all Windows 11 PCs?

These features require powerful neural processing units (NPUs)—a specialized computer chip for AI-intensive processes—that are unique to the Copilot+ PC class of devices.

If your PC isn't one of these with an NPU on the Snapdragon® X Series processor, it simply won't run Recall or any of these other Copilot+ PC features, so you don't even have the option to ruse these.

Guess you're badly behind the times for true AI computing, eh?

Rob

 

Is there a Copilot+ PC specific forum?

Apologies, I did not explain things well.

"Microsoft Answers Redirecting and clicking on "Surface". " does not seem the correct place to chat about Copilot+ PC Windows 11, which is a RISC (Snapdragon X Elite and Plus) based version of Windows 11.

What on Earth is a Copilot+ PC?

Copilot+ PCs are an entirely new class of Windows PCs powered today exclusively by Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus processors. These new devices feature a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS), which unlocks new artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced experiences in Windows 11 and popular applications (apps).

Please ask Microsoft to open a special forum just for this version of Windows 11 or at least for these devices.

I wanted to chat about the Microsoft Recall feature, which I understand is only available on the Snapdragon X Elite and Plus, Copilot+ PCs.

I want to make a suggestion to Microsoft regards the Microsoft Recall feature. I would like to see an 'easy to access' button for the user to toggle Recall on or off. This way whenever I am doing something private, like financial transactions, I can turn Recall off, or when I am watching entertainment (e.g. a movie), I can turn Recall off as there is no reason to have it snapshotting every five seconds through a three hour movie. However when I am watching a presentation, or researching information on the Internet using Edge, it would be great to turn Recall on, so I could easily search the material I have been looking at, when I am later summarising my research.

Thanks.