Microsoft Recall

{{POV|date=June 2025}}{{Short description|Feature of Microsoft Windows}}

Recall is a feature of Windows 11 that takes a screenshot of a user's desktop every few seconds and then uses on-device large language models to allow a user to retrieve items and information that had previously been on their screen. It was announced by Microsoft, alongside the integration of GPT-4o into Copilot and an upgraded user interface in Windows 11.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/microsoft-copilot-embraces-the-power-of-openais-new-gpt-4-o/ |last1=Khan |first1=Imad |title=Microsoft's Copilot Embraces the Power of OpenAI's New GPT-4o |date=May 20, 2024 |work=CNet |access-date=May 23, 2024 |archive-date=May 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523165249/https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/microsoft-copilot-embraces-the-power-of-openais-new-gpt-4-o/ |url-status=live }} Recall's release immediately caused controversy, with experts warning that the feature could be a "disaster" for security and privacy,{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=June 13, 2024 |title=Microsoft's all-knowing Recall AI feature is being delayed |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/13/24178144/microsoft-windows-ai-recall-feature-delay |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912202550/https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/13/24178144/microsoft-windows-ai-recall-feature-delay |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=September 22, 2024 |work=The Verge}} particularly since there was initially no option for users to disable it.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/27/24255721/microsoft-windows-recall-ai-security-improvements-overhaul-uninstall |title=Microsoft's more secure Windows Recall feature can also be uninstalled by users |first=Tom |last=Warren |work=The Verge |date=September 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127020541/https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/27/24255721/microsoft-windows-recall-ai-security-improvements-overhaul-uninstall |archive-date=2024-11-27 |url-status=live}} This backlash prompted Microsoft to postpone its rollout.{{cite magazine| url=https://www.wired.com/story/microsoft-recall-off-default-security-concerns |title=Microsoft Will Switch Off Recall by Default After Security Backlash |date=June 7, 2024 |first=Andy |last=Greenberg |magazine=Wired |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127183520/https://www.wired.com/story/microsoft-recall-off-default-security-concerns/ |archive-date=2024-11-27 |url-status=live}} Microsoft changed the feature to opt-in and provided instructions for how to remove it.{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/retrace-your-steps-with-recall-aa03f8a0-a78b-4b3e-b0a1-2eb8ac48701c |title=Retrace your steps with Recall |website=Microsoft Support |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203123504/https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/retrace-your-steps-with-recall-aa03f8a0-a78b-4b3e-b0a1-2eb8ac48701c |archive-date=2024-12-03 |url-status=live}}

Backlash against Recall was centered on both security and privacy. Upon its release, Recall was described as a "potential security nightmare".{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/ai/2024/06/windows-recall-demands-an-extraordinary-level-of-trust-that-microsoft-hasnt-earned/ |title=Windows Recall demands an extraordinary level of trust that Microsoft hasn't earned |first=Andrew |last=Cunningham |work=Ars Technica |date=June 4, 2024}} The initial version of Recall saved all data to a plaintext database, making it easy for the data to be stolen.{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/06/microsoft-makes-recall-feature-off-by-default-after-security-and-privacy-backlash/ |title=Microsoft is reworking Recall after researchers point out its security problems |first=Andrew |last=Cunningham |work=Ars Technica |date=June 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122192408/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/06/microsoft-makes-recall-feature-off-by-default-after-security-and-privacy-backlash/ |archive-date=2024-11-22 |url-status=live}} Later versions of Recall have added encryption.