Microsoft Delays Recall AI Feature Launch for Windows Testers Until October

Microsoft plans to allow Windows testers to trial its controversial Recall AI feature starting in October. Initially slated for a June launch alongside Copilot Plus PCs, the feature faced delays due to security concerns. While Microsoft had previously indicated that Recall would be available for Windows Insiders “in the coming weeks,” this timeline has since extended to months.

Pavan Davuluri, chief of Windows and Surface, announced in a recent blog post that the Recall feature is now set for rollout to Windows Insiders next month. Recall employs local AI models in Windows 11 to automatically capture screenshots of your activities, enabling users to search and retrieve previously viewed content. It also includes a timeline feature, allowing you to scroll through snapshots of your work on specific days.

Despite Microsoft’s assurances of security and privacy, researchers discovered that Recall’s database lacked encryption, raising concerns about potential access by malware. In response, Microsoft is implementing significant changes, such as making the feature opt-in instead of default, encrypting the database, and requiring Windows Hello for authentication.

Although the specifics behind the further delay remain unclear, Davuluri emphasized that "security continues to be our top priority." The timeline for a full launch of Recall may depend on the outcomes of the October testing phase, as Microsoft frequently conducts testing with its Insider program before a broader release. This suggests that a complete rollout of Recall could extend beyond this year.