Microsoft has again delayed the release of its controversial Recall app for the Copilot Plus PC ecosystem. The software giant planned to begin testing the app, which takes screenshots of nearly every user action, allowing users to go back to a specific point in the past, in October as part of the Windows Insiders program. The company now says it needs more time to complete development of the feature.
Image source: Microsoft
«We want to provide a safe and secure experience when using Recall. To make sure the app is ready, we take extra time to polish it before release as part of the Windows Insiders program. Recall was originally scheduled to be released to Windows Insiders in October, but will now be available for testing on the Copilot Plus PC ecosystem by December,” senior Windows product manager Brandon LeBlanc told The Verge.
Initially, the Recall function was supposed to appear in Windows back in July. However, Microsoft was forced to postpone the planned launch after various security experts expressed their concerns about its security. Despite the delay, Recall was scheduled to debut as part of the Windows Insiders program just a few weeks later. Then Microsoft delayed the release of Recall again until October. Now the company is postponing the release until December.
The numerous delays in the release of the Recall app are due to the fact that Microsoft is completely overhauling its security structure. The application will be optional, and if desired, users will be able to completely remove it from their PC. In recent months, the company has been improving the security of the Recall database, making it fully encrypted. Access to Recall will be provided exclusively through the Windows Hello authentication service.
To work, Recall uses AI models built into Windows 11. The application takes screenshots of almost all user actions on the PC, and then, through a special timeline function, allows you to return to a certain point in time.
Earlier this week, Microsoft again clarified that Recall will not be required for Copilot Plus PCs and will be provided as an option. The clarification comes after various YouTubers claimed that Recall can be installed on any computer running Windows 11 version 24H2.