Microsoft has started rolling out Recall, its anticipated photographic memory search feature, to select Copilot+ PC users. Early testing reveals both promising capabilities and notable limitations.
The feature, which was initially announced in May for Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs, uses artificial intelligence to capture screenshots of users' computer screens, enabling keyword searches through previously viewed content. However, following privacy concerns from cybersecurity experts, Microsoft implemented additional safeguards, including database encryption and making the feature opt-in rather than enabled by default.
Currently, Recall is exclusively available to Windows Insider Program dev channel users with Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered devices containing neural processing units. AMD and Intel-based Copilot+ PCs are not yet supported.
Initial testing has uncovered several operational challenges:
- Screenshot capture intervals can span several minutes, creating timeline gaps
- Incomplete app exclusion lists for screenshot prevention
- Inconsistent text search results, with some visible content remaining undetected
- Limited object recognition capabilities in images
- Slower performance when navigating between snapshots
Despite these early limitations, Recall shows promise in its core functionality. Users can effectively return to previous activities by clicking directly on screenshot results, streamlining navigation to earlier viewed content.
Microsoft's staged testing approach allows for refinement before wider release. Current known issues include compatibility gaps with certain accessibility programs and potential screenshot capture from excluded websites when using the Edge browser.
The feature represents Microsoft's ongoing efforts to integrate AI capabilities into Windows 11, though additional development appears necessary before Recall reaches its full potential.