Windows 11 version 24H2 Build 26120.961 (KB5038575) removes the Recall AI feature

Recall AI has been in the news for all the wrong reasons ever since its announcement. And, now it has been removed with the latest build of Windows 11 24H2. For those uninitiated, this AI-powered feature records everything you do in your system and stores the recordings and snapshots locally so you can go through them whenever you’d like. 

Although it sounds quite fancy, many users and security experts have voiced their concerns about it. Following the backlash, Microsoft announced that it is delaying Windows Recall on Copilot + PCs. More importantly, the Redmond giant also removed the feature from the latest Windows 11 24H2 Build 26120.961.   

As Windows Latest notes, Windows Recall has been removed from the Windows 11 24H2 systems running the latest Build 26120.961 under KB5038575. Besides, all the related settings are no longer visible following the KB5038575 Dev Channel update. 

Microsoft details update on the Recall preview feature for Copilot+ PCs 

The company recently updated the Recall preview feature for Copilot+ PCs page to give us some additional information about news changes for the hyped feature. Microsoft has shown its intention to make several changes and wants the feature to meet the highest standard possible.

Microsoft has detailed that based on users’ feedback it is making some changes targeted towards Windows Recall. It mentions:

• First, we are updating the set-up experience of Copilot+ PCs to give people a clearer choice to opt-in to saving snapshots using Recall. If you don’t proactively choose to turn it on, it will be off by default.
• Second, Windows Hello enrollment is required to enable Recall. In addition, proof of presence is also required to view your timeline and search in Recall.
• Third, we are adding additional layers of data protection including “just in time” decryption protected by Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) so Recall snapshots will only be decrypted and accessible when the user authenticates. In addition, we encrypted the search index database.

That’s not all, the company also conveyed that it is making security its top priority by making several changes. Microsoft mentions these notable changes in the webpage, and it reads:

• All Copilot+ PCs will be Secured-core PCs, bringing advanced security to both commercial and consumer devices. In addition to the layers of protection in Windows 11, Secured-core PCs provide advanced firmware safeguards and dynamic root-of-trust measurement to help protect from chip to cloud.
• Microsoft Pluton security processor will be enabled by default on all Copilot+ PCs. Pluton is a chip-to-cloud security technology – designed by Microsoft and built by silicon partners – with Zero Trust principles at the core. This helps protect credentials, identities, personal data, and encryption keys, making them significantly harder to remove from the device, even if a user is tricked into installing malware or an attacker has physical possession of the PC.
• All Copilot+ PCs will ship with Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS). This provides more secure biometric sign-ins and eliminates the need for a password.

Although Microsoft has removed the Recall AI feature from the latest build of Windows 11 24H2, it says the feature will ship to the users enrolled in the Windows Insider program. Moreover, the company could expand the feature to all Copilot + PCs later this year. We will wait and see. 

What are your thoughts about the Windows Recall feature? Please share your thoughts with our readers in the comments below.