Microsoft Rolls Out Recall and Enhanced Windows Search to Copilot Plus AI PCs

Microsoft has officially started rolling out its highly anticipated Recall feature to Copilot+ AI PCs, nearly a year after its initial announcement and following multiple delays due to privacy concerns.

Recall continuously captures screenshots of user activity and uses AI to index them, allowing users to search for documents, websites, or images they interacted with weeks prior. This innovation aims to eliminate the frustration of lost files or forgotten browsing history.

However, the feature initially faced significant backlash due to privacy issues, including concerns over automatic activation and insecure data storage. In response, Microsoft enhanced security by storing data within Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) enclaves, requiring manual activation, and integrating Windows Hello biometric authentication for settings changes.

This cautious approach allows users to uninstall Recall entirely if desired, reflecting Microsoft's commitment to user control and data privacy after initial criticism.

Alongside Recall, Microsoft has introduced an improved Windows Search feature that enables users to find files and images using natural language queries. This enhancement operates locally on the device’s neural processing units (NPU), ensuring no data is sent to the cloud, thereby preserving user privacy.

Additionally, the new Click to Do feature allows users to quickly access AI functionalities such as summarizing or rewriting text directly within applications. This can be activated via keyboard shortcuts, touch gestures, or contextual icons appearing in Windows interfaces like the Start menu and Snipping Tool.

Currently, image-related Click to Do actions are available on all Copilot+ PCs with the latest Windows 11 April update, while text actions are initially supported on Snapdragon-based systems, with plans to extend support to Intel and AMD AI PCs.

Early user experiences indicate that Recall functions as intended for retrieving documents and websites, though its value may be more pronounced for less experienced users who struggle with file organization. Meanwhile, the improved Windows Search addresses long-standing user frustrations with search functionality in Windows.

While some users remain skeptical about AI-driven text summarization, the Click to Do feature has demonstrated practical utility in condensing lengthy articles efficiently.

Microsoft’s rollout of Recall and enhanced AI features reflects a balancing act between innovation and privacy. The company’s responsiveness to security concerns underscores the importance of safeguarding user data in AI integrations.

As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday computing, features like Recall and improved search promise to streamline workflows and reduce friction in digital navigation, especially for users less familiar with complex file systems.

Looking ahead, Microsoft’s experience highlights the critical need for transparent, user-centric design in AI tools to build trust and maximize adoption in both consumer and enterprise contexts.