Microsoft Rolls Out Recall and Improved Windows Search for Copilot+ PCs
Microsoft strengthens security and privacy measures as it launches the Windows Recall feature.
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Key Takeaways:
- Microsoft has officially started rolling out the Windows Recall feature to all Copilot+ PCs after months of delay.
- Windows Search now offers natural language search capabilities across the Start menu, Settings, and File Explorer.
- Click to Do allows users to copy text from images, rewrite or summarize on-screen content.
Microsoft has officially started rolling out the controversial Windows Recall feature to all Copilot+ PCs. The latest update also introduces an enhanced AI-powered Windows Search and a new productivity tool called Click to Do.
Microsoft originally planned to launch Windows Recall with Copilot+ PCs in June 2024. However, this controversial AI tool was delayed due to privacy and security concerns raised by security researchers. Microsoft has since addressed the security issues found in Windows Recall after five months of testing with the Windows Insider program.
How does Windows Recall work?
Windows Recall automatically captures continuous screenshots of user activity and stores them locally in a searchable database. Microsoft has made Recall an opt-in feature and significantly improved its security architecture. To further protect user privacy, the company has also added automated filters to prevent sensitive data from being saved.
“We’ve implemented extensive security considerations, such as Windows Hello sign-in, data encryption and isolation in Recall to help keep your data safe and secure. Recall data is processed locally on your device, meaning it is not sent to the cloud and is not shared with Microsoft and Microsoft will not share your data with third parties,” explained Navjot Virk, Corporate Vice President, Windows Experiences.
Security researcher Kevin Beaumont has recently tested the new version and found that Microsoft has made “serious efforts” to enhance the security of Windows Recall. This feature can now be removed by searching for “Turn Windows features on or off” in the taskbar. Microsoft has also introduced advanced IT controls for commercial customers with an E3 subscription.
Enhanced Windows Search
In addition to Windows Recall, Microsoft has started rolling out some AI enhancements for Windows Search on Copilot+ PCs. The new search functionality will be built into the Windows Search box, Settings, and the File Explorer. It allows users to find files, apps, and settings through natural language commands.
Click To Do
Microsoft has also released a new Click To Do feature that allows users to copy text from images and search the content on the screen. It can also rewrite or summarize text that users see in an app or webpage. Users can activate Click To Do by using the Windows key + left mouse click.
Microsoft notes that Windows Recall and the improved Search experience are available for all Copilot+ PCs. However, some Click To Do features are currently only available for Snapdragon-powered devices, with AMD Ryzen and Intel Core Ultra support coming later this year.
