Microsoft is stepping up its game with the release of a trio of powerful new features for Copilot Plus PCs. Today, the tech giant officially launches Recall, an AI-powered Windows search overhaul, and the Click to Do feature, which promises to enhance user productivity with its innovative capabilities. While Recall has been highly anticipated, it has faced its fair share of delays, and now, after months of security enhancements, it’s finally available to all Copilot Plus PC users.
1. What’s New in Recall: A Snapshot of Your Digital Life
Recall, which Microsoft originally unveiled back in 2023, has now officially arrived on Copilot Plus PCs. At its core, Recall is designed to make users’ digital lives smoother by providing an easy way to pick up exactly where they left off. By taking regular snapshots of everything you do on your PC, Recall makes it possible to scroll through a timeline of past activities—without having to remember specific file names or locations.
Microsoft’s Navjot Virk, corporate vice president of Windows Experiences, shares, “When we introduced Recall, we set out to address a common frustration: picking up where you left off.” The feature essentially eliminates the need to constantly search through folders, offering a more intuitive, image-based way to search for your digital history.
However, not all users are completely sold on Recall’s convenience. In fact, privacy concerns have been a significant roadblock in its development. Recall’s ability to store detailed data about your usage has raised alarms, particularly from security experts. As one early tester, Kevin Beaumont, pointed out, “Recall is clever, but it does create a privacy minefield.”
Fortunately, Microsoft has taken steps to address these concerns. After significant scrutiny, the company has ensured that Recall is now an opt-in feature, meaning that users must enable it rather than have it active by default. Furthermore, the feature’s database is encrypted, and it now attempts to filter sensitive data by default.
2. A Closer Look at the AI-Powered Windows Search Overhaul
In addition to Recall, Microsoft is enhancing the overall Windows search functionality on Copilot Plus PCs with AI-powered improvements. Users can now use natural language queries in the File Explorer, Windows search box, or settings, making it easier to find files or documents without having to remember exact names or locations.
This means that, rather than searching by keywords, you can now describe images or documents more casually. For example, if you’re searching for an image of your dog, instead of remembering the file name, you can simply type “brown dog,” and the AI will bring up relevant results.
This upgrade will certainly save time for users who find themselves constantly sifting through their files. It’s a leap forward in making PC search more intuitive and user-friendly.
3. Click to Do: A New Era of Productivity Features
Alongside Recall and AI-enhanced search, Microsoft is also rolling out Click to Do, a feature that works similarly to Google’s Circle to Search. This tool allows users to click on any image or text on their screen to take action. Whether it’s summarizing a block of text or removing an object from an image, Click to Do is designed to save time and boost productivity.
To activate Click to Do, simply press the Windows key + left-
click on any piece of text or an image, and the tool will present a variety of actions that you can take. It’s a clever way of turning simple tasks into much more streamlined experiences, and for those who like to multitask, Click to Do promises to become an indispensable tool.
4. Availability and Future Rollout Plans
These new features will be available starting today for all Copilot Plus PC users. However, there are some limitations. The text actions in Click to Do are initially available only on Qualcomm-powered devices, with plans for a broader rollout to AMD- and Intel-powered devices in the next few months.
Additionally, while Recall and Click to Do are launching in a variety of languages and regions, European users in countries like the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway will have to wait until later this year to access these features.
5. Microsoft’s Efforts to Ensure Security and Privacy
Despite the innovative nature of these tools, Microsoft has also been careful to ensure that security remains a priority. Beaumont, who had initially raised privacy concerns about Recall, has noted that the final version of the feature is a significant improvement in terms of security. Recall is now encrypted, and its use is carefully controlled through a simple four-digit PIN option via Windows Hello, rather than relying solely on more secure methods like facial recognition or fingerprints.
However, Beaumont also pointed out that the filtering of sensitive apps and websites can still be hit or miss. While these improvements help reduce privacy risks, users need to stay vigilant about their app permissions and data-sharing settings.
6. A Bright Future for Copilot Plus PCs and Windows Search
The combination of Recall, AI-powered search, and Click to Do marks a significant upgrade for Copilot Plus PCs. With these tools, Microsoft is pushing the envelope on user experience, blending cutting-edge AI with improved privacy measures and productivity features. It’s clear that Microsoft is committed to refining the digital workspace, offering powerful tools while balancing privacy concerns.
While some users may still feel hesitant about embracing the level of data tracking involved in Recall, these new tools undoubtedly represent a major step forward in the evolution of Windows and personal computing. For now, though, Copilot Plus PC owners can enjoy these enhanced features and look forward to more improvements as Microsoft continues to refine them in the months ahead.