Microsoft waited until the midnight-hour before informing Windows Insiders waiting to test its highlighted Copilot + PC feature Recall, that it would miss delivering the platform under its own proposed schedule.
On October 31, 2024, Microsoft issued a quick statement saying that it’s AI-powered Windows search feature called Recall, would not be making the company’s proposed October release for Insiders to try out. The late October announcement from Microsoft marks the second time the company has had to backtrack on releasing its Windows Recall feature in the past five months.
Microsoft started marketing its Windows Recall platform as the flagship feature of its Copilot + PCs launch that highlighted a concerted effort between the Windows OS publisher and its partners to push PCs with newer chips designed to support AI features. However, the weekend before OEMs put their new Copilot + PCs on shelves and online availability, Microsoft yanked Recall from the OS due to significant security concerns.
Microsoft would then issue its first admission that Recall needed more time to be retooled to address several security and privacy concerns regarding the AI-powered Windows Search feature that would constantly take screenshots of users’ desktop while in use.
When speaking with The Verge, senior product manager of Windows, Brandon LeBlanc explained that “we are committed to delivering a secure and trusted experience with Recall. To ensure we deliver on these important updates, we are taking additional time to refine the experience before previewing it with Windows Insiders.”
October was the new timeframe for a second shot at Recall, with Microsoft cautiously aiming for Windows Insiders as the first batch of testers for a more refined version of the search platform.
While Microsoft wasn’t specific about a date in October, it did mention on several occasions that Windows Recall would be rolled out to Insiders that month for further testing. LeBlanc has now explained that while October was the original timeframe Microsoft was shooting for, “Recall will now be available for preview with Windows Insiders on Copilot Plus PCs by December.”
Microsoft’s new December release window for a preview version of Recall raises a few logistical questions regarding feedback and timing. Here in the US, a large swath of employees tend to start long winter vacations around the end of November and through much of December. Microsoft has historically strayed from releasing much of any major software or products during this timeframe because the number of US-based employees that can respond to issues, feedback or quality control is limited.
If Microsoft manages to meet its December deadline for releasing a preview version of Recall, it will be doing so with a presumably a skeleton crew working that will be tasked with addressing any additional security concerns that crop up, as well as instillation or compatibility issues out of the gate.
The other question Microsoft hasn’t seemed to address is that there are now Copilot + PCs that run on Intel silicon, how will the company differentiate its release of the Recall platform. When Microsoft first proposed Recall, there were only Qualcomm Snapdragon powered PCs that would be utilizing NPUs to power the new feature.
With Intel and AMD coming onboard with their own NPU supported chips, does Recall simply roll out to all Copilot + PC branded devices or does Microsoft continue with its initial release pattern of Qualcomm Snapdragon PCs first?
With a seven-month delay of Recall already on the books for Insiders waiting to test Microsoft’s flagship Copilot + PCs, when, if ever, will its partners who spent marketing budget on videos, tutorials, and accompanying software features, be able to re-release those materials to the general public?
