Microsoft Resumes Recall Feature Rollout After Privacy Backlash, Adds Security Functions

Microsoft announced the public preview of its Recall feature for Copilot+ PCs, emphasizing security and privacy updates such as opt-in (off by default), uninstall/pause options, automated filtering for incognito sessions and certain sensitive data, encrypted local databases (BitLocker/TPM with VBS protections), and Windows Hello authentication; Recall captures OCR text from only the active window with configurable retention and granular deletion, runs on-device requiring an NPU >40 TOPS, and is rolling out globally except the EEA for now. Windows also released AI-powered natural-language Windows Search and a “Click to Do” context feature for text and images.