I tested Microsoft’s controversial Recall tool. It evolved Windows for me.

What is Windows 11 Recall?

Windows 11 Recall is a feature that allows you to quickly retrieve past activities, documents, or web pages that you’ve interacted with on your PC. Think of it as a photographic memory for your computer, allowing you to revisit previous work, conversations, and tasks with ease. However, it’s an opt-in feature, which means you need to enable it manually and go through biometric verification (either face unlock or fingerprint scan) to access the stored history.

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How Does Windows 11 Recall Work?

To use Recall, your PC needs to meet certain system requirements, such as:

• A Copilot+ PC with a dedicated AI chip (40 TOPS output)
• 16GB of RAM
• 256GB of storage (at least 50GB free)
• Active device encryption
• Windows Hello enabled for secure logins

Recall works in conjunction with Chromium-based browsers (such as Edge, Chrome, Opera, and Firefox), as it tracks your browsing and app activity. Importantly, Recall doesn’t save sensitive data like your banking information, and you can filter which apps or websites it tracks for privacy.

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How is Recall Useful?

For those who have trouble remembering where they last left off with documents, webpages, or conversations, Recall is a lifesaver. It captures everything from text and images to conversations in apps, making it easy to revisit any part of your digital life.

For example, if you had a conversation with someone named “John” and can’t find the file or chat transcript, Recall lets you search for it. It even gives you options to open the webpage or copy-paste the conversation directly from the snapshot.

Additionally, Recall leverages Optical Character Recognition (OCR), so if you forgot a recipe you didn’t bookmark, it can recognize the text from images and automatically convert it into a more usable format.

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Privacy and Safety Features

While Recall is a powerful tool, Microsoft has incorporated safety measures to protect your data. It doesn’t save any personal information such as credit card details, tax identification, or license numbers. You also have the option to filter certain websites or apps from being recorded, so your sensitive data remains private.

Additionally, there’s an auto-delete function that can erase snapshots after a set period (30, 60, 90, or 180 days). You can also delete snapshots from specific websites or apps with ease.

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Experts’ Take on Windows 11 Recall

Though Recall offers many benefits, some security experts are cautious about its potential risks. The tool logs a detailed history of everything you do on your PC, which could be targeted by cybercriminals. However, Microsoft has ensured that Recall is encrypted and requires biometric authentication to access the data.

Despite the risks, some security experts believe that Recall is no more risky than other local log files, and the safety features built into the system provide adequate protection. You also have the option to customize Recall‘s privacy settings by filtering out sensitive websites or deleting snapshots manually.

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Conclusion: Is Windows 11 Recall Right for You?

Windows 11 Recall is a unique and useful feature for people who need quick access to previous activities, documents, or websites. The ability to quickly search for information and retrieve it from snapshots is invaluable for those who often juggle between multiple tasks and apps. Plus, the OCR feature allows you to convert text from images into more usable content.

While there are valid privacy concerns, Recall offers plenty of control over what gets logged and provides features like auto-delete and filtering for sensitive content. If you value convenience and don’t mind the idea of your digital history being stored, Recall is an incredibly useful tool. If privacy is a bigger concern, you can always disable it for specific apps or websites.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is Windows 11 Recall?

Windows 11 Recall is a feature that allows users to track and recover previous activities, documents, conversations, and web pages on their PC. It helps you quickly revisit what you’ve done without manually searching for files or websites.

Q2: How do I enable Windows 11 Recall?

Recall is an opt-in feature, so you’ll need to enable it in your settings. You’ll also need to authenticate your identity through face unlock or fingerprint scan for security purposes.

Q3: What are the system requirements for Windows 11 Recall?

You need a Copilot+ PC with a dedicated AI chip (40 TOPS), 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage (at least 50GB free), and Windows Hello enabled for secure sign-in.

Q4: Can I exclude certain websites or apps from being logged by Recall?

Yes, you can filter out certain websites or apps to ensure they’re not captured in the snapshots. This is especially useful for keeping sensitive information, like banking details, private.

Q5: How is my privacy protected when using Recall?

Microsoft ensures Recall doesn’t log sensitive information, such as credit card or tax details. You can also delete snapshots from specific apps or websites, set up auto-delete, and control what gets logged.

Q6: Can I recover text from images with Recall?

Yes, Recall uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to identify and extract text from images, allowing you to search for text within saved snapshots and use it in other apps.

Q7: Is it safe to use Recall on my PC?

While Recall stores your activity data, it’s encrypted and requires biometric authentication to access. Microsoft has implemented security features to protect your data, and you can control what’s logged and delete snapshots whenever you choose.

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Final Thoughts:

Windows 11 Recall offers a revolutionary way to manage your digital life, providing quick access to past activities, documents, and conversations. While there are privacy concerns, Microsoft has implemented strong safety features to ensure that your sensitive data remains protected. If you want an efficient way to keep track of your digital history, Recall is definitely worth considering, as long as you’re comfortable with the level of control it gives you over your activity logs.