Microsoft has unveiled the first preview of its highly anticipated Recall AI feature for Copilot Plus PCs. After several delays, Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel can now access a new Windows 11 build featuring Recall and a companion feature called Click to Do, reminiscent of Google’s Circle to Search.

Recall offers an innovative way to capture and retrieve digital activity on a Copilot Plus PC. By taking snapshots of nearly everything users do, the feature makes it easy to search for past actions or revisit previous tasks. With Recall enabled, users can utilize natural language queries within the Recall app to locate their work, supported by a scrollable timeline to pinpoint specific dates and activities. AI enhances these searches by analyzing both textual and visual elements from the captured snapshots.

Participation in Recall is entirely voluntary, requiring users to opt in. Once enabled, models for Recall and Click to Do automatically download in the background for those using Qualcomm-powered Copilot Plus PCs, with Intel and AMD support coming soon.

Users retain control over what is saved, with options to delete snapshots or exclude certain apps and websites. Additionally, Recall is designed to detect and omit sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card details, ensuring privacy. Microsoft emphasizes that Recall snapshots remain local to the device, encrypted, and inaccessible to Microsoft or third parties. No data is used for AI training purposes, and once deleted, snapshots cannot be recovered, even by Microsoft.

The feature requires Windows Hello authentication, BitLocker encryption, and Secure Boot for added security. These tools are already standard on Copilot Plus PCs.

Click to Do, integrated within Recall, allows users to interact with saved snapshots by recognizing text and images. Actions such as copying text or saving images can be performed directly from snapshots. In the future, Click to Do will extend beyond Recall, offering functionality like visual searches on YouTube videos using Bing.

Initially planned for a June launch, Recall faced delays due to security concerns. Microsoft has since re-engineered the feature to prioritize user control and privacy. As Recall enters its preview phase, it marks a significant milestone in Microsoft’s AI integration within Windows, with security experts poised to assess its implementation before a broader rollout.

Topics #AI #Artificial intelligence #Copilot #Microsoft #news #Windows