Microsoft Unveils Recall Feature for Windows 11: Revolutionizing Copilot+ PCs in November

Microsoft’s Recall Feature: A New Beginning

Microsoft has finally given an update on its Recall feature, which has been on hold since its initial announcement due to security and privacy concerns. The company plans to launch Recall on Copilot+ laptops in November, with a slew of measures in place to ensure the feature is secure enough.

What’s Changed?

One of the key changes is that Recall will now be strictly opt-in, unlike its original default-on approach. During the setup process for Copilot+ PCs, users will be given a clear option to opt-in to saving snapshots using Recall. If a user doesn’t choose to turn it on, it will be off, and snapshots will not be taken or saved.

Security Measures

To alleviate concerns, Microsoft has implemented several security measures:

Snapshots and other Recall-related data will be fully encrypted.
Windows Hello authentication will be required to use the feature, ensuring that only the user can access Recall data.
A Virtualization-based Security Enclave (VBS Enclave) will be used to store sensitive data, which is a fully secure virtual machine isolated from the Windows 11 system.
The VBS Enclave will be accessible only with a decryption key provided with Windows Hello sign-in.

Additional Measures

Microsoft has also taken steps to address concerns about sensitive data being captured, such as:

The feature will filter out passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information.
Users will be able to exclude specific apps or websites from being captured by Recall.
Private browsing sessions, such as Chrome’s Incognito mode, will never be subject to being screenshotted.

Analysis

Microsoft has taken Recall back to the drawing board, and the results are promising. While some may still have concerns, the company has made significant strides in addressing security and privacy issues. If you’re still unsure, you can simply opt-out of using Recall. With its return to testing in October and release to Copilot+ PCs in November, Recall is on a fast track to arrive with the public. However, it’s essential to remember that Recall is still in preview mode, and its stability and performance will be crucial in determining its success.

What’s Next?

The next step for Recall is to arrive in Windows 11 test builds, where Windows Insiders will get to test the feature. If issues arise during this testing phase, Recall may be delayed for release to Copilot+ PCs. Microsoft is committed to ensuring Recall is secure and reliable, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on its progress.

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