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Microsoft is revising its controversial AI tool Recall for more security and data protection. The feature that regularly takes screenshots of the screen will now become optional and can be uninstalled.
Microsoft has announced major changes to its controversial AI tool Recall. The function, which was originally presented in May 2024is now scheduled to debut in a revised form on the new CoPilot+ computers in November. Recall regularly takes screenshots of screen activity and allows users to search them later.
Opt-in instead of compulsion
One of the most important changes: Recall will now be disabled by default. “There is no longer a default setting where it is automatically activated – you have to actively choose it,” explains David WestonMicrosoft’s vice president of enterprise and operating system security. Users can even recall completely remove it from your system.
The new opt-in query for Recall.
New way to exclude apps from screenshots.
Increased security measures
Microsoft has fundamentally revised Recall’s security architecture. All sensitive data, including the screenshot database, is now fully encrypted. Access is via Windows Hello and is tied to the Trusted Platform Module (TPM). “We moved all screenshot processing and sensitive processes to a virtualization-based security enclave,” said Weston. This is to prevent access by malware.
I’m really excited about how nerdy we’ve gotten about security architecture. I’m excited because I think the security community will understand how much we’ve put into it (into Recall).
Control for users
Users gain more control over what data Recall collects. You can exclude certain apps and websites from being collected, such as banking apps. The amount of storage space used by Recall can also be limited. Depending on the device storage, different options are available, from 10 GB to 150 GB.
The new recall security architecture.
Recall will only be on be available on special CoPilot+ PCs. These must offer at least 16 GB of RAM, 256 GB of storage and a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) with 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). Currently only certain ARM Windows PCs and laptops with the latest Intel or AMD chips meet these requirements.
Criticism and delay
The original version of Recall had severe criticism caused by security experts. They called the tool a potential “privacy nightmare.” Microsoft responded by postponing the launch and the revision that has now been presented. The company emphasizes that the new version has been reviewed by internal and external security experts.
Microsoft plans Recall will initially be tested with Windows Insiders on CoPilot+ PCs in October. A broad rollout will only take place after this test phase.
Recall is part of a broader strategy by Microsoft, AI-powered Integrate productivity tools into Windows. Similar features already exist in other Microsoft products, such as the search function in Office 365. The trend towards AI-assisted workflows is widespread in the tech industry, with companies such as Google and Apple also working on similar technologies.
What is Recall?
The function is intended to make it easy to find previously viewed information. However, there were initial concerns about privacy and security, which is why Microsoft revised Recall.
How does recall work?
Recall takes screenshots of the screen every 5 seconds as the content changes. These are stored locally and analyzed by an AI. Users can later search for content using text or voice commands.
The AI recognizes both text and visual elements in the recordings. Search results are displayed sorted by relevance. Users can interact directly with found content, e.g. copy text or edit images.
Is Recall safe?
Microsoft has significantly improved the security of Recall. All sensitive data is now encrypted and accessed via Windows Hello. Processing takes place in a security enclave to prevent access by malware.
Users can also exclude apps and websites from being collected. The data remains local on the device. However, users should be aware of the sensitivity of the data collected.
Who can use Recall?
Recall will only be available on dedicated CoPilot+ PCs. These require at least 16 GB of RAM, 256 GB of storage and a Neural Processing Unit with 40 TOPS. Currently only certain ARM Windows PCs and the latest Intel/AMD laptops meet these requirements.
The function will initially be tested for Windows Insiders on CoPilot+ PCs in October 2024. A broad rollout is only planned afterwards.
How do I activate recall?
Recall will be disabled by default. Users must actively activate the function in the Windows settings. It can be configured via “Settings > Privacy & Security > Recall & Snapshots”.
To open Recall, use the Windows key + J key combination or an icon in the taskbar. Users can pause the function at any time or deactivate it completely.
How much memory does Recall need?
The memory requirement of Recall depends on the device configuration. With 256 GB of device memory, 10-25 GB can be reserved for recall. For 512 GB it is 25-75 GB and for 1 TB or more it is 25-150 GB.
Users can adjust the limit in the settings. If it is reached, the oldest recordings will be deleted first. At least 50 GB of free space is required for activation.
Which languages does Recall support?
Recall is optimized for six languages: English, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish. Text recognition and search work best in these languages.
Microsoft has not yet announced whether and when additional languages will be added. Users in other language regions can use Recall, but must expect limitations in accuracy.
Can I remove Recall completely?
Yes, Microsoft allows users to completely remove Recall from their system. This can be done using the Windows functions in the Control Panel or using a PowerShell command.
To uninstall Recall, open Control Panel, go to “Programs and Features” and select “Turn Windows features on or off.” There you can uncheck Recall. Alternatively, use the PowerShell command: “DISM /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:”Recall””
What do you think of Microsoft’s revamped recall tool? Do you see any useful functions in this or do the data protection concerns outweigh you? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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