Microsoft Gives Controversial Recall AI Feature Some Extra Security

After security experts raised concerns about Microsoft’s upcoming Recall AI feature, the tech giant has added a few more security features to help Windows users protect their data and browsing history from attackers or snoops.

Microsoft will now require Recall users to biometrically authenticate their identities via Windows Hello whenever they try to access the feature.

Personally identifiable information—like your name, address, Social Security number, or credit card info—will no longer be screenshotted by the AI, says Microsoft EVP and Consumer CMO Yusuf Mehdi. Health or financial websites will also not be captured. Screenshots will be stored on the device itself, so they won’t be sent to any Microsoft servers or data centers. Sensitive information can be filtered out, though you can turn off the “filter sensitive info” toggle.

Microsoft has also added more Recall settings so users can purge all of their snapshots in one click. They can also choose to delete screenshots within the past hour or a longer period of time with the click of a button. Microsoft previously announced that it’s also possible to filter out specific apps or websites at the user’s discretion.

Recall is an upcoming, opt-in AI feature for compatible Windows 11 PCs, including Copilot+ PCs, that will let you search your device to pull up any moment in your PC’s history. In order for Recall to work, your device will need a Windows on ARM CPU as well as a certain amount of minimum RAM and disk storage. Recall will work with Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and other Chromium-based web browsers and will not track or screenshot any “private browsing” activity.

Recall uses AI to search for things that might match a search term. For example, if you type in “red dress” into Recall, the AI will search your computer for any image of a red dress even if “red dress” isn’t actually written on that page. In other words, the AI attempts to match words to images and videos to help you “recall” a previous moment in time. The AI is able to do this by taking constant screenshots of your computer and using them to take you back and re-open those apps or web pages.

A bug in an early-access version of Windows’ anticipated 24H2 update previously showed Recall as something that could be uninstalled via the Windows Control Panel. But a Microsoft product manager said that was an error and the option to remove it would not be in the official release. This week, Microsoft told The Verge that it will be possible to remove Recall from your computer should you want to, however.

Recall was initially expected to launch with Copilot+ PCs in June but privacy concerns have delayed its release.

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About Kate Irwin

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I’m a reporter covering early morning news. Prior to joining PCMag in 2024, I was a reporter and producer at Decrypt and launched its gaming vertical, GG. I have previous bylines with Input, Game Rant, and Dot Esports. I’ve been a PC gamer since The Sims (yes, the original). In 2020, I finally built my first PC with a 3090 graphics card, but also regularly use Mac and iOS devices as well. As a reporter, I’m passionate about uncovering scoops and documenting the wide world of tech and how it affects our daily lives.

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