Microsoft starts rolling out improved Recall feature for Windows Insiders

Microsoft is once again rolling out its Recall feature, but this time with a more cautious approach and stronger focus on user privacy.

In Short

• Microsoft is rolling out an improved version of its Recall feature
• It is now available to Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel
• The latest update will offer better control to users

Microsoft is once again rolling out its Recall feature, but this time with a more cautious approach and stronger focus on user privacy. The tool, now available to Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel, is being reintroduced after facing months of delays and criticism over its original design.

The Recall feature, part of Microsoft’s AI push for Windows 11, works by capturing screenshots of your activity across apps, websites, and documents. These snapshots are stored on the device and help users search and revisit anything they might have come across — even if they don’t remember the exact time or place. For instance, one could simply ask to pull up a recipe or document they had seen earlier, and Recall will scan its records to find it.

Initially meant to ship with Copilot Plus PCs in mid-2024, Recall’s launch was held back following serious concerns raised by security researchers. Many feared the feature could lead to sensitive data being exposed due to the continuous screen capture. Microsoft later delayed the rollout to focus on making the tool more secure and trustworthy.

With the latest build, Recall has returned—now behind a strict opt-in system. Microsoft has confirmed that the feature is off by default, and users will have to turn it on manually. Additionally, every snapshot is encrypted and can only be accessed by the device owner, verified through Windows Hello login.

Microsoft has added features like "Click to Do," which lets users take actions like copying text or reopening documents directly from Recall’s timeline. While the tool remains AI-powered, it won’t upload any data to Microsoft servers or share it with other users on the same PC. Users also have full control to pause or delete snapshots whenever they wish.

This is Recall’s most extensive test yet, following earlier limited previews for select Qualcomm, Intel, and AMD PCs. If all goes to plan, Microsoft is expected to release the final version to the public in early 2025. A Europe-specific launch is also expected later this year, complying with local regulations.

At launch, Recall will support English, Simplified Chinese, German, French, Spanish, and Japanese. However, some functions may vary depending on the device or market, and support is currently limited to certain file types and content formats.