Microsoft is finally ready to ship Windows Recall after almost year long delay

Microsoft’s debated Recall application, which has been under development for nearly a year, followed by six months of testing, is about to be rolled out on production Copilot+ PCs. Typically, this stage precedes the app’s release to the public at large.

As a keen follower, I’ve been buzzing with anticipation for quite some time about the rumored launch of Microsoft’s Windows Recall in May. With the app now accessible in the Release Preview channel, it seems the stars are aligning. I can hardly contain my excitement as we inch closer to witnessing this feature gradually unfurl over the ensuing weeks!

Remember this: Microsoft has introduced a new AI productivity tool, available only on Copilot+ computers, called Recall. This feature uses the NPU to take screenshots of all your PC activities and allows you to revisit items you’ve previously viewed or interacted with on your computer.

Initially, Microsoft planned to release Windows Recall concurrently with the introduction of Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs in June 2024. These devices were set to have exclusive access to the new feature during an initial period. However, the delay in its release has put a halt to these original plans.

In early 2025, all Copilot+ PCs will receive the Windows Recall update simultaneously. This long-awaited feature is set to be launched within a few upcoming weeks, having completed its testing phase with Windows Insiders back in November 2024.

It’s important to mention that although Recall is set to become generally available, it may still be labeled as a “preview” version. The duration that Recall retains this label is uncertain since the feature is already quite refined and seems complete in terms of functionality.

Initially, the implementation of Recall was postponed due to privacy and security issues, prompting Microsoft to revise the feature for increased security. Afterward, additional security measures such as encryption were added to ensure that the data collected by Recall is exclusively accessible by you.

Microsoft outlines various security measures for Windows Recall, ensuring its safety by incorporating the Windows Enhanced Sign-In Security feature. This security mechanism demands the use of both a Microsoft Account and Windows Hello Biometric Authentication for setup and interaction within the Recall environment.

You have the freedom to decide whether or not to use the Recall feature on your computer. If you prefer not to have it, you can simply disable it or remove it altogether from your system. Over the past few months, I’ve been testing Recall and I must say that I find it quite helpful; it’s a tool I’m glad is available.

It is speculated that Microsoft will introduce two compact Surface PCs, said to be compatible with Copilot+, in the upcoming month, unless tariffs interfere with their launch. Could it be that these will be among the first gadgets to come pre-installed with Windows Recall on its initial release day?

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2025-04-11 16:43