Microsoft's New Recall Feature Tracks Everything You Do on Your PC — Here's How It Works

Wouldn't it be wonderful if your PC could keep a record of everything you did, every document you opened, every site you browsed, every video you watched — and allow you to access it all later with a few taps? That's what Microsoft is attempting to accomplish with a new feature being tested called Recall.

The software is being implemented gradually to individuals who are using early builds of Windows, and it could soon be extended to additional users. It was first intended to go live last year, but Microsoft pushed back its release after individuals complained about issues related to privacy and security. Specialists were concerned about what would occur if an individual else ended up with access to all of that saved information.

To alleviate those concerns, Microsoft has ensured that the feature is disabled by default. You must opt to turn it on, and you can also pause or turn it off at any time. The company claims this provides users with more control over how much of their digital activity is saved.

Here's the deal: your PC takes periodic snapshots — like photos — of whatever you're working on. They're stored safely on your own machine. Then, you can go back and search through them to locate that chart you were checking out last Tuesday, or a recipe that you didn't bookmark. It's akin to giving your computer a photographic memory — but only for you.

Only more modern Windows machines known as Copilot Plus PCs (which are designed to support AI-based tools) can take advantage of this feature, and even then, only Windows Insider Program testers are currently receiving access.

Others who have tested it say it's a combination of being "creepy, clever, and compelling." Creepy, due to how closely it monitors your activity; clever, as it can be quite useful; and compelling, as it fixes the frequent issue of remembering where you viewed something.

Whether you're enthusiastic or skeptical, this feature will probably generate a lot of discussion when it rolls out more broadly.