In a significant step for its Copilot Plus PCs, Microsoft has officially launched the Recall feature, a highly anticipated tool designed to enhance user experience by capturing snapshots of activities on the users PC. This feature will become available today, as part of a broader update that includes an upgraded AI-powered Windows search interface and a new functionality dubbed Click to Do, which bears resemblance to Googles Circle to Search.

The Recall feature is designed to alleviate a common user frustration: the challenge of resuming work seamlessly after a break. As Navjot Virk, the corporate vice president of Windows Experiences at Microsoft, puts it, When we introduced Recall, we set out to address a common frustration: picking up where you left off. With Recall, users can scroll through a timeline of snapshots that are automatically categorized, making it easier to search for vague memories rather than specific file names.

Recall was originally slated for launch alongside the Copilot Plus PCs last June but faced delays due to security concerns raised by researchers in the cybersecurity community. Initially intended for public testing in October, Microsoft postponed the rollout to November to further enhance its security measures. Over the past ten months, the tech giant has focused on overhauling Recalls security architecture, ensuring that it becomes an opt-in feature for users wary of privacy issues.

After extensive testing, Kevin Beaumont, a prominent security researcher who had previously expressed concerns regarding Recall, noted that Microsoft has made significant strides in securing the feature. He commented, Microsoft has made serious efforts to try to secure Recall, highlighting that the database now employs encryption and that sensitive data is filtered by default. However, Beaumont cautioned that the filtering process can sometimes be inconsistent and may exhibit bugs.

Users will be able to access Recall using a simple four-digit PIN through Windows Hello, rather than being limited to more secure biometric options like facial recognition or fingerprint scanning. Microsofts official Recall website specifies that at least one biometric sign-in method must be enabled for Windows Hello to access Recall functionalities.

In addition to Recall, Microsoft is enhancing its Windows search capabilities by integrating AI improvements into the search interface on Copilot Plus PCs. This means that users can now perform searches using natural language queries across various components of the operating system, including File Explorer and the Windows search box. For example, if you are trying to locate an image of a brown dog, you can simply ask, Wheres my brown dog picture? instead of needing to remember the file name or creation date.

Another exciting addition is the Click to Do feature, which allows users to take immediate actions on items displayed on their screens. Activated via the Windows key in conjunction with a left mouse click, Click to Do provides options for summarizing text or swiftly removing objects from images. This feature offers a streamlined approach to interacting with content, enhancing the overall efficiency of the PC experience.

While Recall, the upgraded Windows search, and Click to Do are being rolled out to all Copilot Plus PCs today, it's worth noting that the text actions in Click to Do will initially be available only on Qualcomm-powered devices, with support for AMD and Intel-powered devices expected to follow in the coming months. Additionally, Microsoft has indicated that these features will be released in multiple languages and regions; however, users in EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, will have to wait until later this year for access to these new functionalities.