Microsoft Set To Roll Out Recall Tool For Copilot+ PC Amid Privacy Concerns

AI screenshotting tool returns after privacy backlash, but with a quieter launch and stricter controls.

After being recalled several times due to privacy issues, Microsoft's controversial AI screenshotting tool, Recall, is making a quiet return.

The feature is now rolling out to select Windows Insider members testing Copilot+ PCs running Windows 11 Preview builds. This limited release marks the latest chapter in the tool’s turbulent history, which has been plagued by delays and criticism since its initial announcement in May 2024.

Recall is an AI-powered tool that works by creating a searchable database of screen snapshots and allows users to revisit past activities, such as websites visited, or apps used.

While Microsoft markets Recall as a “photographic” memory aid for busy professionals, critics frown at its ability to capture sensitive information like passwords or financial data.

In July 2024, Microsoft postponed Recall’s initial rollout after researchers discovered that early versions stored sensitive data in unencrypted plain text files, leaving users vulnerable to potential breaches. The Windows maker promised to address these issues but faced renewed backlash in October 2024 when a beta version of the tool was found to lack sufficient safeguards against unauthorized access. Following this wave of uproar, Microsoft recalled the feature again in November 2024 for further revisions.

Recall’s New Privacy Tweaks

Now reintroduced in April 2025, Microsoft says the updated version of Recall includes several privacy-focused improvements. Unlike previous releases which had Recall as a default feature by design, Microsoft has made the feature opt-in this time, giving users control over whether or not to activate it. In addition to that, all captured data is encrypted locally on the device and can only be accessed using Windows Hello authentication.

In its update, Microsoft clarifies that Recall does not share your snapshots or related data with Microsoft or third parties, nor does it permit access between different users on the same device. You can also filter out specific apps or websites, delete screenshots you no longer wish to keep or pause the feature entirely.

Despite these changes, skepticism remains widespread. Recall’s core functionality, that is, its ability to log nearly everything displayed on your screen, does not sit well with many.

It’s fair to argue that even with encryption and opt-in controls, the fact that the tool is designed to create a comprehensive record of users’ activity poses serious risks, as it could make Windows Copilot+ PCs a constant target for hackers. There is no doubt the privacy tweaks around the feature will make it safer to some extent, but public trust in the feature appears to be low after nearly a year of terrible missteps and delays.

While a broader rollout is planned for later this year, its success will depend on whether Microsoft can convince users that Recall’s benefits outweigh its risks. For now, Recall’s return is cautious, limited and a far cry from the ambitious launch originally envisioned nearly a year ago.

This article originally appeared on our sister site Computing.