Microsoft announced the Return Recall feature for Windows 11, a tool that sparked controversy due to security and privacy issues. This function is set to debut on laptops with Copilot+ in November, following several enhancements to strengthen user data protection.
Recall utilizes artificial intelligence to expand search history on a computer. It captures regular screenshots, referred to as “Snepshots” by Microsoft, and analyzes them to enable users to easily locate relevant information from previous work sessions.
One of the significant updates to Recall is that it will now activate only upon user request. During the setup of a computer with Copilot+, the system will prompt the user to enable Recall and permit the preservation of screen images. Without explicit consent, the function will remain inactive, and no snapshots will be generated.
Microsoft has emphasized that all images and data associated with Recall will be fully encrypted. Authentication via Windows Hello will be necessary to utilize the technology, and it will operate within a secure environment known as Virtualization-Based Security Enclave (VBS Enclave), a completely isolated virtual machine independent of the main Windows 11 system.
David Weston, Vice President of Enterprise Security and Operating Systems at Microsoft, clarified that all confidential processes, including screenshot creation, processing, and vector database, now occur within the VBS Enclave. This ensures that even users with administrator privileges cannot interact with the service, run any code, or access data, including Microsoft itself.
Data is stored locally on the device and not transmitted to the cloud. Therefore, Recall is exclusive to PCs with Copilot+, requiring a powerful neural processor for efficient local processing and stable system performance.
Microsoft engineers have implemented measures to safeguard sensitive data. Recall can automatically detect and redact confidential information from screenshots, such as passwords and credit card numbers. Users can also specify applications and websites that Recall should not capture, and the feature will refrain from taking snapshots while operating in popular incognito browsers.
When Recall saves a screenshot, a distinctive icon will appear in the task panel. The feature will undergo further testing in October, with the official release for Copilot+ PCs scheduled for November. While this timeline represents a relatively swift path to public availability, it remains limited to laptop owners with Copilot+.
It is likely that Recall will be labeled as a <