Microsoft has once again postponed the launch of its highly anticipated Recall app for the Copilot Plus PC ecosystem. Initially, the company aimed to introduce the app to Windows Insiders in October, but the release is now delayed to December. The Recall app is designed to let users track and review their past actions through screenshots, providing a rewind feature that allows users to access specific points in time. Microsoft states it requires additional time to ensure the app is polished and secure before releasing it for testing.
“We want to ensure that Recall is a safe and secure experience. To ensure that it’s ready, we’re taking additional time to polish it before releasing it to Windows Insiders. Recall was originally planned for release to Windows Insiders in October, but will now be available for testing on the Copilot Plus PC ecosystem by December,” shared Brandon LeBlanc, senior product manager at Windows, with The Verge.
Focus on Security and Data Privacy
Originally scheduled for a July release, the Recall app has faced multiple delays due to security concerns raised by experts. Microsoft initially pushed back the launch until October, but ongoing improvements in its security structure have led to further delays. The company has been working to make the Recall database fully encrypted, ensuring that users’ information remains protected. Additionally, Recall will be accessible only through the Windows Hello authentication service, providing an added layer of security for users.
The Recall app will be optional, and users who prefer not to use it can fully remove it from their PC. This clarification follows questions around its mandatory installation on Copilot Plus PCs. Microsoft also emphasized that Recall is designed to work specifically within Windows 11, and recent statements confirm it won’t be automatically installed on all devices, as some sources had previously suggested, adds NIX Solutions.
Timeline Feature and Testing Updates
The Recall app employs AI models embedded in Windows 11 to function, taking screenshots of nearly all user activities to enable the timeline feature. This feature allows users to revisit specific points in their history. Microsoft’s reassurance about the optional nature of the app comes after speculation around Recall’s integration into all Windows 11 systems. With security and usability as top priorities, Microsoft now anticipates the release in December, aiming to offer a reliable experience for Windows Insiders and Copilot Plus users.
Microsoft’s continued efforts to refine and secure Recall indicate its dedication to user privacy and security. We’ll keep you updated on the latest developments surrounding the Recall app’s testing and release.