Microsoft has decided to delay the preview release of the Windows Recall feature, which allows users to periodically capture screenshots of their activities to easily find content they have previously seen on their PC.
Although Microsoft claims all data will be stored and processed locally to mitigate privacy and security concerns, security and privacy experts have raised concerns. They point out that malware could potentially exploit screenshots to obtain sensitive information such as passwords and financial data.
In response to opposition from experts and the public, Microsoft announced on June 7th that the Recall feature will be disabled by default. They stated that they will release the Recall preview in the Windows Insider Program (WIP) in the coming weeks and will consider whether to roll it out to Copilot+ PCs after receiving feedback from the Windows Insider community. Microsoft emphasized that due to hardware requirements, WIP customers will still need Copilot+ PCs to use Recall.
Microsoft mentioned they are adjusting the release model of Recall to leverage the expertise of the Windows Insider community to ensure the experience meets high standards. They reiterated their commitment to providing all customers with a trustworthy, secure, and robust experience. Additionally, Microsoft highlighted extra security measures, including instant decryption and the use of Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-In Security (ESS).
Pavan Davuluri, Corporate Vice President of Windows + Devices, stated that Microsoft is redesigning Windows to offer more choices for customers and developers, enabling them to fully utilize local processing capabilities and the cloud. He emphasized that this distributed computing model offers options for privacy and security. This work will be guided by the “Secure Future Initiative” announced by Microsoft in November 2023.
