I initially thought I'd dislike Microsoft's Recall feature and disable it immediately. However, after using it for a few weeks, I've found it both unsettling and impressive. Recall, a feature in Windows 11, takes snapshots of almost everything on your screen. It stirred controversy when Microsoft announced it, as privacy advocates raised concerns and security researchers found vulnerabilities. Microsoft delayed the feature's release to address these issues, and it's currently being tested with Windows Insiders. The setup experience for Recall is clunky, involving multiple downloads and installs via Windows Update. Once operational, Recall creates snapshots that form a scrollable timeline of everything you've seen on your screen, much more comprehensive than browser history. Initially, scrolling through this timeline was unnerving, as it recorded emails, messages, and web activity. I opted to exclude certain apps from being recorded, which Microsoft allows through settings. Despite its creepiness, Recall proved surprisingly handy. It helped me locate a shopping website I had forgotten about by searching for a specific price.

It also stored social media profiles related to a news story, which disappeared online, aiding my work as a journalist. Recall allows text and image copying from snapshots, though it sometimes fails to capture everything. I'm still undecided about keeping Recall active, as storing such a detailed digital trail concerns me. Moreover, it requires Windows Hello authentication, which, while annoying, enhances security. Recall is only available on Copilot Plus PCs, contradicting claims that it will be installed on all Windows 11 devices. Copilot Plus PCs need a dedicated NPU to run Recall efficiently. In parallel, Microsoft is reportedly enhancing Windows Search with AI-powered natural language capabilities, which could improve finding files without the need for snapshots. I find Recall useful and miss it on PCs without the feature, but future compatibility with desktop CPUs might change that. Beyond Recall, Microsoft faced significant events: a software engineer publicly resigned, criticizing Microsoft's military contracts; financial setbacks from the cessation of funding for the Cruise robotaxi service cost the company $800 million; and there were improvements to Apple's and Xbox's file-sharing capabilities. Microsoft is also focusing on enhancing its Xbox app for PC gaming and hiring former Google DeepMind experts for a new AI health unit. Furthermore, Microsoft recalled some features while introducing others. There was a significant Microsoft 365 outage, and rumors point to major Surface device updates next year, possibly integrating new AI and Copilot Plus features. Finally, amid these changes, Microsoft is pushing forward its narratives around AI and cloud technologies, with resistance from companies like Google and controversies over military contracts drawing public and employee scrutiny.