In a recent announcement, Microsoft has initiated a phased rollout of Recall, a new feature designed to facilitate the capturing of screenshots during user activities on Copilot Plus PCs. This preview is currently available to Windows Insiders and signals a significant step toward broader deployment.

Background on Recall’s Development

Originally slated for release alongside Copilot Plus PCs in June of last year, the launch of Recall faced delays due to security concerns raised by experts in the field. Following these discussions, Microsoft aimed for an October launch, but ultimately chose to postpone once again, prioritizing the delivery of a “secure and trusted experience” for users.

Earlier Previews and Feedback

Microsoft first provided a preview of Recall in November for Windows Insiders participating in the Dev Channel, specifically for Qualcomm-powered Copilot Plus PCs. Shortly thereafter, Intel and AMD device users were granted access to the feature. Tech reviewer Tom Warren described Recall as “creepy, clever, and compelling” after testing it for a few weeks.

Opt-In Feature and User Control

As detailed in the latest blog post from Microsoft, users must opt in to enable the snapshot saving capabilities of Recall. Additionally, users retain control over this feature, with the ability to pause the saving of snapshots at any time, enhancing user privacy and choice.