Move over basic updates—Microsoft is stepping up its game for Windows 11 users. The first preview build featuring Windows Recall has hit the streets, specifically for Copilot+ PCs sporting Snapdragon processors. Released to the Insider Dev Channel, this preview brings not one but two headlining features: the somewhat mysterious Windows Recall and the intriguingly named Click To Do. Here's everything you need to know about the new features, the tech behind them, and whether this is as revolutionary as it sounds—or just another tech buzzword cocktail.
On the security side, encrypting data locally and relying on user-level authorization adds a strong layer of trust to Recall. The shift away from cloud reliance on every single innovative feature is commendable—if it works as advertised, this could blunt the criticism Microsoft (and the industry broadly) faces about not respecting user privacy.
Still, this release stirs up plenty of questions:
If you're among the selected few able to test this out, let us know your first-hand experiences! And for those on the sidelines, consider this a glimmer into what AI might eventually look like hardwired into the OS itself.
Stay tuned for more updates on WindowsForum.com. As always, we'd love to hear your take—does Recall live up to the hype? Or is it just another feature destined for the Windows graveyard of forgotten apps? Join the conversation in the forums.
Source: Windows Central Microsoft is finally ready to let you try Windows Recall — first preview build for Copilot+ PCs available now
What Exactly Is Windows Recall?
Windows Recall, first announced months ago, is the latest productivity feature from Microsoft—but it's not without its controversy. Designed exclusively for high-end Copilot+ devices, Recall is an AI-powered assistant that promises to essentially "remember it all" for you, utilizing local storage to keep track of user activity, open apps, and workflows. Think of it like a supercharged Task View or Timeline from the early Windows 10 days but sprinkled with an AI twist.The Key Tech Takeaways: Recall Edition
- AI-Powered Context Awareness:
- Recall uses AI algorithms to document your on-device activities in a chronological manner. By organizing what you’ve done throughout your day, it offers seamless work continuity, allowing you to return to apps and files exactly as you left them.
- Unlike some other "memory assistants," the process is localized to your machine, dodging concerns about cloud dependency.
- Security That's Fort Knox Approved:
- Microsoft has tackled early criticisms regarding security by employing default encryption for all captured data. Nothing Recall collects will be accessible to other apps, users, or—critically—Microsoft itself.
- Windows Hello authentication is now a prerequisite for enabling Recall. By banking on biometrics (such as facial recognition or fingerprint scanning), Microsoft aims to guarantee this digital diary is for your eyes only.
- Privacy-Driven Design:
- Breaking away from Big Brother fears, Microsoft insists there's no cloud connection here. No data Recall captures leaves the device, meaning this feature won’t mine your actions for predictive AI models or hand off your habits to third-party partners.
Enter Click To Do: AI-Augmented Workflow Magic
Click To Do is a complementary feature to Recall, acting as a streamlined task layer overlay. Essentially, it assists users in turning their workflow insights into actionable steps. While details about its full capabilities remain limited, it appears to integrate with Microsoft To-Do and utilize AI to suggest task prioritizations. So if you've left reminders scattered across devices, this feature might be the ultimate productivity net.Why the Snapdragon Exclusivity Drama?
Here’s where things get sticky: Not every Copilot+ PC user gets to partake in this preview. The rollout, as of now, only includes devices powered by the Snapdragon X processor series. Hard luck if you’re using Intel’s Lunar Lake or AMD’s Strix Point—the preview isn't yet accessible for you. And no, Microsoft hasn’t provided an ETA for when—or if—other processor architectures will join the party.Possible Reasons Behind the Limitation:
- Snapdragon chips often come optimized for certain AI workloads and local processing, potentially making them the perfect arena for Recall's initial test bed.
- By restricting this launch to Snapdragon users (likely familiar with Qualcomm AI accelerators), it simplifies debugging and scalability during the early phase.
- Of course, this could also reflect Microsoft's gradually deepening relationship with ARM-based architectures, signaling broader trends about where Windows 11 might pivot in the future.
How Do You Get Started?
For those lucky enough to be Insider members with copilot-ready Snapdragon-powered PCs, here’s how you can try these new toys:- Update to Preview Build 26120.2415 via the Insider Dev Channel.
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security, toggle Windows Recall, and verify your identity using Windows Hello.
- Dive in. Test the AI automation, watch how Recall categorizes your digital footprint, and throw Click To Do a few daily deadlines to manage.
What This All Means for Windows Users
Frankly, Windows Recall looks like it could redefine productivity on Windows. If you’ve ever had 15 browser tabs, five apps, and multiple documents open but couldn't remember what you were working on 45 minutes ago, Recall essentially trains your device to remember for you. It’s the tech equivalent of never needing to jot down meeting notes again—your PC will do it for you.On the security side, encrypting data locally and relying on user-level authorization adds a strong layer of trust to Recall. The shift away from cloud reliance on every single innovative feature is commendable—if it works as advertised, this could blunt the criticism Microsoft (and the industry broadly) faces about not respecting user privacy.
Still, this release stirs up plenty of questions:
- Will Intel and AMD devices eventually get access, or will they remain the underprivileged cousins in Microsoft’s AI-first world?
- Can privacy claims truly withstand the test of global scrutiny and independent testing?
- And most importantly—will regular users really benefit from this level of hybrid AI-documentation with minimal headaches? Or is this yet another "assistant" destined to gather dust in Windows' toolbox?
What’s Next for AI on Windows?
Given how heavily Microsoft is leaning into AI with advancements in Copilot, Windows Recall and Click To Do are just the appetizers in a much larger AI feast. Expect to see expanded interoperability across Office apps and device ecosystems as Microsoft flexes its muscle in intelligently multi-tasking operating systems. But ultimately, widespread adoption will only come once Intel and AMD PCs are on board—until then, this may feel like something reserved for a niche.If you're among the selected few able to test this out, let us know your first-hand experiences! And for those on the sidelines, consider this a glimmer into what AI might eventually look like hardwired into the OS itself.
Stay tuned for more updates on WindowsForum.com. As always, we'd love to hear your take—does Recall live up to the hype? Or is it just another feature destined for the Windows graveyard of forgotten apps? Join the conversation in the forums.
Source: Windows Central Microsoft is finally ready to let you try Windows Recall — first preview build for Copilot+ PCs available now