Microsoft Recall

• Blockchain Council
• April 21, 2025

Microsoft has introduced a new feature in Windows 11 called Recall, and it’s already creating a buzz. The idea is simple: Recall remembers everything you do on your PC — like a photographic memory for your digital life. But while it promises to boost productivity, it’s also raising big questions around privacy.

In this article, you’ll learn what Microsoft Recall is, how it works, whether it’s safe, and what kind of PC you’ll need to use it. We’ve kept everything beginner-friendly, factual, and easy to understand.

What Is Microsoft Recall?

Microsoft Recall is a new AI-powered feature coming to Copilot+ PCs. It takes snapshots of your screen every few seconds as you work, then stores those images locally. These snapshots are used to create a timeline of your computer activity that you can scroll through and search.

For example, if you saw a recipe, a chart, or an email two days ago but forgot where it was — you can use Recall to search and find it quickly. It’s like having a photographic memory for your PC.

How Does Recall Work?

Recall captures what’s on your screen during active use and indexes the text using on-device AI. Here’s a breakdown of how it functions:

• Snapshots are taken every few seconds and stored securely on your device.
  
• These images are processed using AI to make them searchable.
  
• You can search using text, phrases, or even visual layout.
  
• A timeline feature helps you scroll through your day and revisit anything you worked on.
  

Nothing is sent to the cloud — all snapshots stay local on your PC.

What Are Copilot+ PCs?

You’ll need a new kind of computer to use Recall: a Copilot+ PC. These devices are optimized for AI tasks and meet strict hardware requirements. Recall won’t work on regular Windows 11 laptops or desktops.

Here’s what a Copilot+ PC includes:

• A neural processing unit (NPU) capable of 40+ TOPs (trillions of operations per second)
  
• At least 16 GB RAM
  
• Minimum 256 GB storage
  
• Advanced security features like BitLocker and Windows Hello
  

These devices are expected to launch starting June 2024 from Microsoft, Dell, HP, and other brands.

What Can You Use Recall For?

Microsoft Recall is built to help you find things faster and work smarter. Here are some real-world use cases:

• Revisit articles, videos, or documents you opened earlier
  
• Recall a conversation from Microsoft Teams or a meeting note
  
• Find a slide you saw during a presentation
  
• Get back to a website you browsed but didn’t bookmark
  

It’s especially helpful for knowledge workers, students, and multitaskers who often juggle many windows and tabs.

What About Privacy and Security?

Understandably, the idea of your screen being constantly recorded may sound concerning. Microsoft has taken a few steps to address that:

• Opt-in only: Recall is turned off by default. You have to enable it manually.
  
• Data is stored locally: Nothing is uploaded to Microsoft’s servers.
  
• Encrypted storage: Snapshots are encrypted using device-level encryption.
  
• You’re in control: You can pause, stop, or delete Recall data at any time.
  
• Exclusion filters: You can block apps or websites (like banking) from being captured.
  
• Sensitive info: Password fields, private messages, and similar inputs are automatically excluded.
  

Still, users and security experts are keeping a close eye on this feature — especially since it walks a fine line between usefulness and overreach.

How to Turn Recall On or Off

If you’re using a compatible device, here’s how to control Recall:

• Go to Settings → Privacy & Security
  
• Click on Recall & Snapshots
  
• Toggle Recall on or off
  
• Use the exclusions list to block certain apps or websites
  
• To delete snapshots, go to your Recall timeline and select Manage Data

Microsoft Recall vs Traditional Search

Let’s compare it with what’s already available on Windows:

System Requirements for Microsoft Recall

Here’s what your system needs if you want to use Microsoft Recall:

Requirement	Minimum Spec
OS	Windows 11 (latest build)
CPU	Copilot+ PC with NPU
RAM	16 GB or more
Storage	256 GB or more (50 GB free)
Security	BitLocker, Windows Hello

Should You Use Recall?

Recall is designed to help you find things faster and work more efficiently. But it’s important to know what you’re signing up for. If you’re someone who values speed and productivity and are already using Microsoft apps often, this feature could be a game-changer.

But if you’re privacy-conscious or don’t want any automatic tracking of your activity, you might want to hold off — or at least configure it with exclusions and strict settings.

Conclusion

Microsoft Recall is one of the most ambitious features added to Windows in recent years. It combines AI with real-time screen history to help users reclaim lost time and boost productivity. Whether it’s a helpful assistant or a privacy headache will depend on how it’s used — and how much control Microsoft continues to give to its users.

As AI-powered tools continue to evolve, it’s a great time to upgrade your skills. If you’re curious about how features like Recall are built or want to create AI-powered solutions yourself, explore this AI Certification designed for professionals and beginners alike.