In a surprising turn of events, Microsoft has announced a delay in the release of its highly anticipated Recall feature, which was set to debut with the Copilot+ PCs next week. This feature, which takes periodic screenshots of user activity to help them quickly retrieve previously viewed content, has sparked significant debate over privacy and security issues since its introduction last month.
Initially slated to launch as an opt-in feature with additional security enhancements, Recall will now undergo further testing through the Windows Insider Program. This decision marks a departure from Microsoft’s original plan to make the feature broadly available on June 18, 2024.
In an official blog post, Microsoft stated, “Recall will now shift from a preview experience broadly available for Copilot+ PCs to a preview available first in the Windows Insider Program in the coming weeks. We plan to make Recall (preview) available for all Copilot+ PCs after gathering feedback from our Windows Insider Community.”
This move reflects Microsoft’s strategy to leverage the Windows Insider community’s expertise to ensure Recall meets the company’s stringent quality and security standards. Detailed instructions on accessing the preview will be provided in a forthcoming blog post once Recall is integrated into the Windows Insider Program.
The delay means that neither Windows Insider participants nor Copilot+ PC users will have immediate access to the Recall feature, also known as ‘Photographic Memory.’ This feature, powered by on-device AI, aims to enhance productivity by allowing users to effortlessly locate previously accessed content through background screenshots.
The controversy surrounding Recall emerged shortly after its announcement in late May, when various researchers and analysts voiced concerns about potential privacy infringements. In response, Microsoft adjusted the setup process for Copilot+ PCs, making Recall a manually opt-in feature rather than an automatic one.
Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of Windows and Devices, addressed these concerns in a blog update on June 9, emphasizing the company’s commitment to addressing user feedback and ensuring robust security measures. This latest delay underscores Microsoft’s cautious approach to introducing innovative yet contentious features, balancing technological advancements with user privacy and trust.
As Microsoft continues to refine Recall, the tech community and users alike await further updates and the eventual broader rollout of this pioneering feature on Copilot+ PCs.
