Home / Technology / Windows 11's Controversial Memory Recall Feature Raises Privacy Concerns
Windows 11's Controversial Memory Recall Feature Raises Privacy Concerns
14 Nov
Summary
- Windows 11 users can now access Windows Recall, a feature that tracks computer activity
- Recall uses AI to record screenshots and understand their contents
- Security researchers have shown how Recall can be easily hacked, raising privacy issues
As of November 14th, 2025, Windows 11 users with Microsoft Copilot+ PCs can now take advantage of a new feature called Windows Recall. This tool works like a memory for the computer, using screenshots to keep track of everything the user is doing on Windows and allowing them to search back through it.
The idea behind Windows Recall is to provide users with something akin to their web browsing history, but for their entire computer. If someone needs to access an app, document, web page, or file they used several hours or days earlier, Recall can help them find it. Thanks to Microsoft's Copilot AI, the feature can not only capture screenshots but also understand their contents.
However, Windows Recall has been met with a significant amount of criticism from many users who are concerned about their every computing move being recorded. Security researchers have also demonstrated how the feature can be easily hacked, raising serious privacy issues. Users are worried that their browsing history, sensitive documents, private messages, and other screen content could potentially be accessed by Microsoft staff or other unauthorized parties.
The backlash against Windows Recall was so strong that Microsoft had to pull the feature for a while. As of the current date, it remains to be seen whether the company will reintroduce the tool with improved security and privacy measures, or if it will ultimately abandon the controversial feature altogether.
