Microsoft is finally ready to let you try Windows Recall — first preview build for Copilot+ PCs available now

Microsoft is finally ready to let you try Windows Recall — first preview build for Copilot+ PCs available now

What you need to know

  • After months of delay, Microsoft is finally ready to publicly test its controversial Windows Recall feature.
  • Now available in the Insider Dev Channel, Copilot+ PCs with a Snapdragon processor can begin testing Recall.
  • Click To Do is now also available to try in preview in the same Insider build.
  • Intel and AMD Copilot+ PCs are excluded from this initial preview.

As a tech enthusiast who has been eagerly waiting for Microsoft’s Windows Recall feature, I was thrilled to see the latest Insider Dev Channel build (26120.2415) finally hit the scene! This build includes the long-awaited Windows Recall and Click To Do features, which are now available for Copilot+ PCs with a Snapdragon processor.


Following several setbacks, Microsoft is now prepared to debut the public trial of its contentious Windows Recall feature. Today, they are making available a fresh Windows 11 preview build (26120.2415) for Insiders in the Dev Channel. This new build encompasses not only Windows Recall but also Click To Do, Microsoft’s recently announced AI layer feature that was unveiled last month. These are the first two significant Copilot+ features to be rolled out since Copilot+ PCs were introduced back in June.

Due to a delay in the release of Recall, Microsoft has been diligently focusing on enhancing its security. They’ve tackled issues related to local data storage, making all captured data encrypted and inaccessible for third-party applications and users. Additionally, Recall now requires Windows Hello authentication and is deactivated by default upon upgrading to the latest build. You will need to enable it manually if you wish to use it.

In their announcement for this early version, Microsoft acknowledges the crucial role that researchers and the broader security community have played in shaping Recall. They extend an invitation to this group to test the latest security and privacy improvements and offer feedback on any potential problems they may encounter.

Microsoft is finally ready to let you try Windows Recall — first preview build for Copilot+ PCs available now

Microsoft guarantees that the data gathered by Recall can only be viewed by you. This information remains confidential to you as Microsoft neither views it, uploads it to the cloud, uses it to develop its AI models, nor sells it to external parties. Additionally, do keep in mind that Recall is a feature exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, meaning users running build 26120.2415 on non-Copilot+ computers will not have access to Windows Recall or Click To Do.

To start off, it’s important to note that the early access to the new features is only available for Copilot+ PCs equipped with a Snapdragon X processor at this time. This implies that Intel and AMD-equipped Copilot+ PCs, such as those featuring the Intel Lunar Lake or AMD Strix processors, cannot participate in the preview for Windows Recall just yet. Unfortunately, Microsoft has not provided any timeline on when these devices will be able to join the fun. This may be disappointing news for customers who have recently purchased an Intel Lunar Lake or AMD Strix-powered device.

I’m going to demonstrate the new Insider build with a step-by-step video tutorial, highlighting its functionality and all the updates. Make sure to stay tuned to the Windows Central YouTube channel for the release of this video!

Read More

2024-11-22 21:09