Microsoft is finally rolling out the controversial recall feature on its CoPilot+ PCs to the public. The feature, announced nearly a year ago, is part of the April 2025 Windows non-security preview update, which includes AI-powered Windows Search and a preview of contextual shortcuts called Click to Do. These updates will be available in a phased manner through a “managed feature rollout.” Users can try these features out first by enabling the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option in Settings > Windows Update.
The recall feature allows users to store screenshots of their actions locally and search for them later. However, the feature has been controversial since its initial announcement in May 2024, as privacy concerns have risen. Recall has been delayed several times due to criticism from the security community. For now, it's being rolled out as an opt-in feature, meaning users must enable it during setup. Additionally, it's possible to remove Recall entirely via the "Turn Windows features on or off" option in the taskbar.
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To enhance security, Microsoft uses the Trust Platform Module to encrypt Recall snapshots and authenticates via Windows Hello. Users can filter specific apps or websites, control how long the snapshots are kept, or delete them. However, Windows may retain temporary binaries of the removed feature, according to Navjot Virk, Microsoft corporate vice president of Windows Experiences.
The Click to Do feature provides an AI-powered contextual menu by pressing the Windows key + click or swiping right on a touchscreen. For example, highlighting text gives you the option to summarize it, or selecting an image gives you the option to edit it. This feature is available in Start, Print Screen, and the Snipping Tool. However, text actions are currently only available on Snapdragon processors, with AMD Ryzen and Intel Core Ultra soon to support them.
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An improved Windows Search feature allows you to describe files using natural language, and it works natively on CoPilot+ PCs with 40+ TOPS NPU. These features are Windows 10 features and could be Microsoft's attempt to persuade users to buy a new PC, as security upgrades end on October 14, 2025.
However, adoption of AI features has been slow so far. Given privacy concerns and Recall's rocky launch, it remains to be seen how much these features will appeal to users.