Microsoft is presently working on a revised iteration of its controversial AI feature, Recall, aiming to effectively address previous issues.
A brief summary: the unveiling of Recall
In essence, Microsoft unveiled Recall in May during the presentation of the new Copilot+ lineup of PCs. Recall was highlighted as the main feature of the Copilot+ devices.
This capability captured automatic screenshots of the entire display every five seconds, with only a few exceptions for specific applications. Users could then leverage the Recall functionality to retrieve information from these captured visuals.
For instance, questions such as, “Which website did I utilize to purchase those fashionable shorts?” would be addressed by the AI. While some users valued this feature, others regarded it as excessively intrusive.
Apprehensions intensified due to insufficient security protocols surrounding the Recall database, raising concerns that malicious software could access the entire database, jeopardizing users’ activities on their machines.
I previously suggested that Microsoft make Recall an opt-in feature. This modification would guarantee that Recall wouldn’t automatically capture screenshots on all devices. Interested users could subsequently activate it, thereby safeguarding the privacy of those who chose not to engage with it.
Merely two weeks following its initial release, Microsoft opted to suspend Recall to reevaluate their approach. The corporation committed to enhancing the feature’s security and investigating further improvements.
This month, Microsoft declared its intent to reintroduce Recall in October, initiating with Insider builds instead of directly integrating it into the Windows 11 24H2 feature update.
Recall will be voluntary and removable
Microsoft has clarified that the updated version of Recall will be an opt-in feature. Although it remains unclear how the company will advertise this change, it represents a positive advancement.
As per sources at Deskmodder, users will also have the ability to uninstall Recall from Windows. Previously, administrators could only disable the feature or obstruct it through Settings.
The latest update, KB5041865 for Windows 11 version 24H2, introduces the option to eliminate Recall. This can be accomplished via the installed features window, not through the conventional installed apps settings.
To locate it, users can enter ‘features’ in the Start menu search bar. Recall will show up there as a feature available for installation or removal.
Note: Deskmodder, which functions from the European Union, has not validated whether users in other regions will possess the capability to eliminate Recall from their Windows systems.
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