Windows 11 Recall finally launches for Copilot+ PCs with the May 2025 update

Microsoft is currently rolling out the Windows Recall feature in the latest preview of the next monthly update of Windows 11, expected to be fully available on May 13, 2025.

After a series of delays due to privacy concerns, the company released the first preview of Windows Recall in November 2024. However, the company is finally ready to launch the AI feature on Copilot+ PCs.

Windows Recall and Click to Do

Windows Recall is a feature powered by AI that works as a “photographic memory” for your computer. It continuously takes screenshots of your active screen and stores them locally as what Microsoft calls “snapshots.” Using locally available AI models, the feature can then scan and detect the contents of the snapshots, allowing you to search through this visual history using natural language to find past content, such as apps, documents, websites, and chats.

The feature is turned off by default, meaning you must enable it manually before it can start taking screenshots of your active window every few seconds and when the content changes.

Snapshots and associated data are saved and encrypted on your local hard drive. Microsoft states that this data is not shared with them or third parties, nor between different users on the same device. Also, to launch the Recall app to access your saved snapshots requires authentication through Windows Hello (biometrics or PIN).

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While in the app, you can search for content using keywords or descriptions of what you remember seeing. Recall uses AI to find both text and visual matches.

Also, Windows Recall presents your history in a timeline, allowing you to scroll back through your activities.

When you find the snapshot with the contents of interest, you can also invoke Click to Do, which is also a feature powered by AI that can analyze content in a snapshot and suggest relevant actions. For example, if you watched a video of a shirt you liked, it might offer a Bing search to find where to buy it.

You can also select text and images within the snapshot and find actions like Ask Copilot, Summarize, Create a bulleted list, Rewrite, and more. However, the option available through Click to Do will depend on the hardware capabilities and region. So, not everyone will have the same options.

Click to Do is another feature available alongside Recall with the next update. However, it’s also a stand-alone app outside of Recall for taking screenshots of whatever you’re doing on the screen to perform different actions with AI.

Outside of the Recall app, you can launch Click to Do from the Start menu, or use the “Windows key + mouse-click” or “Windows key + Q” keyboard shortcuts, or from the Snipping Tool menu and print screen feature.

If privacy concerns you, you can filter specific apps and websites to prevent them from being saved in snapshots. There’s also a default filter for potentially sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers, although Microsoft acknowledges this isn’t foolproof.

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Semantic Indexing

As part of the wave of AI features coming to Copilot+ PCs, Microsoft is also introducing Semantic Indexing.

Semantic Indexing is a technique that enhances how your computer’s files are indexed and searched. The feature uses AI, particularly Natural Language Processing (NLP), to allow the operating system to understand and interpret the meaning behind your queries. This lets you find files, settings, and other content using natural language.

This search capability will be available from the Windows Recall, Start menu, Windows Search interface, Taskbar Search box, File Explorer, and the Settings app.

In addition, the AI search will also work to find photos stored and saved in OneDrive, as well as for those images stored locally on the computer.

Finally, exact matches for your keywords within the text of your cloud files will also appear in the search results.

The new search works only with specific text, image, and document formats. Optimized for select languages (English, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Japanese, and Spanish)

This feature doesn’t replace the traditional Windows Search capability. Instead, it’ll complete the existing search feature.

Release date details

Windows Recall, Click to Do, and Semantic Indexing are available now through the Release Preview Channel with the release of Windows 11 build 26100.3902 (KB5055627), where Microsoft usually tests the new features, changes, and fixes coming for the next Patch Tuesday update of Windows 11.

The next Patch Tuesday update is scheduled for May 13, 2025, which means that this is when the company will start the gradual rollout of these features.

However, it’s important to note that Windows Recall and Click to Do will be available in most (but not all) markets. Also, users in the European Economic Area will have to wait a little longer as these features will arrive later in the year.

In addition, the Recall, Click to Do, and Semantic Indexing features are currently only optimized for select languages (English, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Japanese, and Spanish).

Finally, it’s important to note that these features will only be available for Copilot+ PCs featuring the latest processors from Qualcomm, like the Snapdragon X series, and the latest AI chips from AMD and Intel, since they require an NPU of at least 40+ TOPS to operate.