Microsoft Recall

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Recall is a feature of Windows 11 that takes a screenshot of a user's desktop every few seconds and then uses on-device large language models to allow a user to retrieve items and information that had previously been on their screen. It was announced by Microsoft, alongside the integration of GPT-4o into Copilot and an upgraded user interface in Windows 11. [1] Recall's release immediately caused controversy, with experts warning that the feature could be a "disaster" for security and privacy, [2] particularly since there was initially no option for users to disable it. [3] This backlash prompted Microsoft to postpone its rollout. [2] [4] Microsoft changed the feature to opt-in and provided instructions for how to remove it. [5]

Backlash against Recall was centered on both security and privacy. Upon its release, Recall was described as a "potential security nightmare". [6] The initial version of Recall saved all data to a plaintext database, making it easy for the data to be stolen. [7] Later versions of Recall have added encryption. [3] In response to the release of Recall, privacy-first messaging app Signal published a feature for Signal Desktop to include a "Screen security" setting that will block Recall from taking screenshots of Signal chats on Windows. The setting is enabled by default when using Signal Desktop on Windows 11. [8] Brave and AdGuard added similar functionality in July 2025. [9]

Although Microsoft claims that all information from Recall is stored locally and that they cannot access it, their track record in regards to user privacy has led many to conclude that, even if their claims are true of the present version, it may not be true of later versions and that data from Recall will inevitably be used in the future for advertising. [10]

Hardware requirements

References

  1. ↑ Khan, Imad (May 20, 2024). "Microsoft's Copilot Embraces the Power of OpenAI's New GPT-4o". CNet. Archived from the original on May 23, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  2. 1 2 Warren, Tom (June 13, 2024). "Microsoft's all-knowing Recall AI feature is being delayed". The Verge . Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  3. 1 2 Warren, Tom (September 17, 2024). "Microsoft's more secure Windows Recall feature can also be uninstalled by users". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2024-11-27.
  4. ↑ Greenberg, Andy (June 7, 2024). "Microsoft Will Switch Off Recall by Default After Security Backlash". Wired. Archived from the original on 2024-11-27.
  5. ↑ "Retrace your steps with Recall". Microsoft Support. Archived from the original on 2024-12-03.
  6. ↑ Cunningham, Andrew (June 4, 2024). "Windows Recall demands an extraordinary level of trust that Microsoft hasn't earned". Ars Technica.
  7. ↑ Cunningham, Andrew (June 7, 2024). "Microsoft is reworking Recall after researchers point out its security problems". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 2024-11-22.
  8. ↑ jlund (May 21, 2025). "By Default, Signal Doesn't Recall". Signal.
  9. ↑ Warren, Tom (2025-07-25). "Microsoft's controversial Recall feature is now blocked by Brave and AdGuard". The Verge. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  10. ↑ Bowden, Zac (June 6, 2024). "A PR disaster: Microsoft has lost trust with its users, and Windows Recall is the straw that broke the camel's back". Windows Central.
  11. ↑ "Retrace your steps with Recall - Microsoft Support". support.microsoft.com. Archived from the original on April 8, 2025. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
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