Microsoft Takes a Step Back on New Recall Feature
by Lyndon Doyle - Wed 12 Jun 2024Microsoft Takes a Step Back After Negative Feedback on New Recall Feature Announcement.
Microsoft recently announced its new wave of CoPilot+ PCs. However, one feature didn't sit well with everyone: the Recall feature. This feature, designed to take screenshots of your device every few seconds and provide a timeline to see what you did on a certain day and time, was set to be enabled by default. Concerns arose when experts quickly found ways around the security protections, leaving users feeling uneasy.
In response to the backlash, Microsoft has now decided that users will need to opt-in for the Recall feature when it goes live on June 18th.
Additionally, Microsoft has made it a requirement to enable "Windows Hello" to access the feature. Windows Hello is an alternative method for logging into your computer, available on devices capable of scanning your face, ensuring proof of presence.
Microsoft has also confirmed several key points about the Recall feature:
- Snapshots for Recall are stored locally and are not shared.
- Windows will notify you when Recall is saving snapshots.
- You can edit the timeline at any point.
- You can filter out specific websites when using browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Opera, and Google Chrome.
If you plan to utilise the new CoPilot+ PCs, remember to use the features you are comfortable with. If you plan to use these within a business and are unsure, Mark One Consultants can provide advice and support. For our clients with a server, we can configure these settings for you, ensuring you know exactly where you stand.
