Microsoft Delays Recall Launch—Again

Microsoft is delaying the launch of its Recall AI feature again because it isn’t ready for public testing yet, according to a statement from a company spokesperson.

“We are committed to delivering a secure and trusted experience with Recall. To ensure we deliver on these important updates, we’re taking additional time to refine the experience before previewing it with Windows Insiders,” says Windows Senior Product Manager Brandon LeBlanc in a statement to The Verge. “Originally planned for October, Recall will now be available for preview with Windows Insiders on Copilot Plus PCs by December.”

Recall had initially been slated for a June launch in tandem with the release Copilot+ PCs, which are compatible with the AI-powered feature. Then, it was delayed due to security concerns. There were suggestions that the feature could pop up in September, then October, and now, December.

Microsoft previously clarified that the feature will be entirely opt-in after security experts raised concerns about how the feature is capturing and storing data. A researcher built a tool to show that malware could target Recall and steal user sensitive information, like passwords and banking data.

In September, Microsoft said it added some security features to recall so that it won’t screenshot your passwords, personal information, banking information, or any medical pages. It will also require users to biometrically authenticate their identities via Windows Hello whenever they try to access the feature. Microsoft also made it easier to quickly purge all your screenshots with one click, and add websites to a list that you don’t want Recall to look at and store. Recall also won’t screenshot any web browser activity done in a “private” mode, like Chrome’s Incognito Mode.

Recall is intended to help Windows users recall a past moment in their PC usage history. It works by taking constant screenshots of all of your computer activity and stores them on-device. When you search using Recall later, it uses AI to analyze all those screenshots and can pull up suggestions for a past moment you might be searching for.

If you don’t want Recall on your PC when the feature launches, Microsoft has confirmed that you’ll be able to remove it from your computer should you want to.

About Kate Irwin

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I’m a reporter for PCMag covering tech news early in the morning. Prior to joining PCMag, I was a producer and reporter at Decrypt and launched its gaming vertical, GG. I have previously written for Input, Game Rant, Dot Esports, and other places, covering a range of gaming, tech, crypto, and entertainment news.

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