Let’s start at the beginning, because the issue is complicated. Months ago, the Recall AI function was presented, a system that deals, to simplify its definition, with take screenshots automatically of your computer activity. It may seem useful, but obviously no one wants their PC to be capturing everything they see or do. Can you imagine the consequences this could have on many levels?
Recall isn’t going anywhere
After his presentation, Microsoft received more criticism than expected. Not only did users criticize the feature, but security experts made it clear to the company that it had to rethink several things. Because of this, Microsoft decided to delay Recall until a launch, in principle, planned for October of this year 2024.
But although the most optimistic thought that Microsoft would think better of it and remove this feature, the truth is that it is still going ahead. However, a few days ago, in the Windows 11 24H2 update KB5041865, it was discovered that It was possible to block Recall. This made many experts and users uncork the champagne, since it would mean that the Redmond company had listened to the criticism. The bad news is that now, the cold shower has arrived, since, as we said, Microsoft clarifies the situation and throws all hopes to the ground.
It’s a bug
Microsoft’s message is blunt and direct. They say they are aware of a problem in which Recall has been included incorrectly as one of the options that can be activated or deactivated in the Windows 11 functions. To close the topic and let the world talk about it, Brandon LeBlanc, from Microsoft, makes it clear: “This will be fixed in an upcoming update.”
With that, as we said, we’re putting our hopes to one side and are now preparing for what the launch of Recall will mean in the future. Microsoft’s plans include doing the first tests in October and, at that time, show the changes they have introduced and the final way in which they will implement this system.
It seems that the general idea of introducing a monitoring and capture system is not going to change, but what we assume will be the way in which this system is presented. After all, as the experts criticized, in its first appearance it was discovered that the database where the captures are stored It was not encrypted in any way. This meant not only privacy issues, but also the risk of being exposed to hackers who could load malware in various ways.
In any case, we should not throw in the towel definitively. It is said that Microsoft may have to end up introducing a system to disable Recall, at least in Europe. This would have to be done with the intention of comply with the rules of the European Commission. So, although we will have to wait to see what will finally happen, for now we maintain a small window of hope that Recall does not end up becoming something mandatory. Because lately it cannot be said that Microsoft is making very good decisions for Windows and everything related to Recall can be added, without fear, to the list of the worst features of Windows 11.