In 2024, Microsoft introduced a highly anticipated and controversial feature for Windows 11 called “Recall.” This function was designed to help users retrace their steps on their PC by automatically taking screenshots of their activity. By storing these images, users could later search for and revisit websites, apps, documents, or images they had interacted with.
While this function aimed to improve productivity, it quickly raised significant privacy concerns, with users questioning how secure and private the captured data would be.
Privacy Concerns Lead Microsoft to Temporarily Revoke Recall Feature for Further Improvements
Despite Microsoft’s assurances that the Recall feature would not access personal data and would be private and secure, the reaction from users was far from positive. Many were uncomfortable with the idea of their PC activities being continuously captured, even if only locally. In response to the backlash, Microsoft decided to retract the feature temporarily in early 2024. The company acknowledged the need for further adjustments, focusing on quality, security, and user trust before fully rolling out the feature.
Microsoft Pulls and Reworks Windows 11’s Recall Feature After Privacy Backlash, Resumes Rollout in 2025In a statement, Microsoft explained the decision to halt the widespread release of Recall, emphasizing that it was making adjustments based on feedback from the Windows Insider community.
The goal was to improve the feature’s quality and security standards. Microsoft reassured users that the recall would be reintroduced with added improvements and stronger safeguards to ensure it met the high expectations of Windows users. This temporary pause allowed the company to better align the feature with user needs and concerns.
Gradual Recall Rollout Begins for Windows Insiders, Enhancing AI-Driven Activity Tracking on PCs
After several months of further testing and adjustments, Microsoft began gradually rolling out Recall to Windows Insiders in early 2025. The preview version was initially released to a select group of users in the Dev Channel, specifically for Copilot Plus PCs running Windows 11. This slow rollout aimed to gather more feedback and ensure that the feature functioned well before it was made widely available to the broader user base.
Recall is designed to make it easier for users to track their activities across different apps, websites, and documents. By leveraging AI capabilities and Copilot+ PCs, users can describe the content they are looking for, and Recall will help them find it, based on saved snapshots of their activity.
To use Recall, users need to opt into saving snapshots and enroll in Windows Hello for secure access. With the gradual rollout now underway, the feature is expected to be available to all Windows 11 Copilot Plus PCs soon, starting with Build 26100.3902.
