Windows 11 24H2 Controversial New "Recall" Feature

My opinion on it depends on how easy it will be to turn off. As long as Microsoft keeps making "on / off" sliders for these features I don't think it will be a big deal. If there isn't an easy option to turn it off then I do think that would be a big privacy concern. I do favor privacy, and as has been the case since Windows 10, you need to know your slider options on a Window device anymore.

Recall isn't a feature I plan to use at all. I have been using a PC for a very long time and I know how to do a lot of things on a PC including customization's and I want it to stay that way. I worry if I depend on AI too much I might forget or not fully understand how things work anymore.

And yes, I do also agree "recall" can be a privacy nightmare.

Anyone believing MS regarding ease of negation of a data collecting, invasive feature is imho, naive.

The very fact that such a feature even exists or is allowed to exist speaks directly to MS's motives. Their next move will be assuring us that it the data remains unaccessable on your machine and if used is "anonymized", anyway. If you believe that, I have a bridge connecting between Manhattan and Brooklyn you might like to purchase.

AI: P.P. (Programmed Plagiarism) via clunky software on huge data mining computers that dwell in the euphemistically termed to sound benign "cloud" (actually at the other end of a fiber optic cable) you pay to take your data and do as they please with it. Hey! You forgot to thank MS for the privilege of using (soon to be renting) your (actually and legally their) OS.

Now go buy a new computer with a brand new AI chip that'll do your research, thinking,  and "creating" by plagiarizing collected bits and bytes from uncountable (human) sources while you lose the urge and ability to do so for yourself.

But hey, go for it! It's progress...right?

Yes it is actually. I actually am much more pro "localized" AI. I am seeing Nvidia trying to push some localized content with their rtx gpu's which I hope catches on. I am actually finding the best source of having AI on your PC from Nvidia's gpu's. Even the older rtx 2xxx models might have the new line of AI cpu's beat. Localized content is something that I hope more people push for going forward, I am not a fan of cloud based AI either.

nVidia just posted a $14 billion profit (https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/21/nvidia-nvda-earnings-report-q4-2024.html) 265% profit on AI, and plan a new AI chip every year, now. Don't worry. You'll come if they build it.

I'm not a fan of AI at all.

I don't find myself buying GPU's at a faster rate then I ever did previously. I am pretty comfortable with my rtx 3060 and from a technological standpoint I feel fine skipping the last 3 years worth of GPU's and I am still feeling perfectly modern. Even an rtx 2060 gpu from 2019 can do AI stuff and probably isnt too far behind. So thats 5 years.

Actually I really wanted to buy a PC this year, particularly a laptop. Marketing suggest's it a great year to buy a new laptop and with these AI cpu's and what not. But, the truth is that is just marketing, it is actually a terrible year to buy a new PC because old tech is still really good. Maybe next year will be different but even so that will be a pretty long time for a PC to feel modern.

Recall is localized AI, run entirely on the Local NPU, and encrypted using BitLocker.

Yes. There is a switch to turn it off, and it is only available on Copilot + PCs which have a discrete 40 TOPs NPU.

I personally think it will go the way of "Timeline" after a year or two due to lack of adoption. I can see how it might be useful in a scientific or research setting though.

The AI push is accelerating because it's the new internet "bubble," and making companies billions of dollars. It doesn't matter if we need or want it.

I won't be adopting it, that much I know. I tried Timeline for a few month when introduced and then turned it off.

BTW, I'm still running an Intel Core i7-7700K with an Nvidia GTX 1080Ti. This system does everything I need it to do, and is still really fast.

You do get your money's worth on those more expensive models. They definitely last years longer.

But, I think another part of the equation is that Moores law is dead and Nvidia knows Moores law is dead. So therefore Nvidia turned to AI techniques to push graphical boundaries such as upscaling and now frame generation. This is why the tensor cores (ai) even became a thing.

Leave it to corporations like Microsft to begin an actual AI race and make Nvidia even more rich.

Of corse not all AI ideas are created equal. I agree the "recall" feature isn't that great. But at the same time with all the billions of dollars that is going into AI right now, it isn't going anywhere. Welcome to the age of AI.

Here is a really good article from Bleeping Computer discussing Recall security concerns. Scarry stuff!

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsofts-new-windows-11-recall-is-a-privacy-nightmare/

"You can turn on or off saving snapshots at any time by going to Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots. You can also pause snapshots temporarily by selecting the Recall icon in the system tray on your PC and selecting the pause option."

And I'm supposed to believe that. Well, I don't, and why is the default "Recall 'on'? Shouldn't it be Recall "off"?  

Yey a lot people talk Windows 11, Windows 8, Vista RTM, Windows Me is the best OS.

It's Sarkazm. It's the worst OS from Microsoft.

The Best OS for advance user is Windows 2000 - Windows 7. Windows 10 is ok but not the best. Windows 11 is shit but when you remove a lot blotware and function from Windows 11 and you moded gui its ok OS but still not the best. You want the best Windows 11? Install Windows Server 2022.

This is hardly new though. Why do you think someone like Jafo is still on Windows 7? Data mining has been a problem for a long time now, even with Windows 10. You can't even stop with Microsoft because data mining is also on your phone, on facebook, in your email settings, there are hooks everywhere.

I think it is pretty important to understand the on / off sliders in this day and age. On Windows 10 / 11 the sliders are actually easier to figure out for me then with say google. There are even some good free programs like shutup 10 that highlights privacy concerns for you in case you miss sliders somewhere.

Sure, this new recall feature adds a pretty big new layer to how much data can be recorded at a time and no one that is privacy conscious will like this at all. But at the same time a privacy conscious person should already be aware that a lot of stuff needs to be turned off and that is what is most important. For that group of people to still be able to turn this type of stuff off.

Interestingly, research suggests that gen Z people aren't as concerned about privacy as the older generations are so maybe they would have a different take on features like "recall"

Unfortunately, the only way to completely stop telemetry, is to disconnect from the internet. And we all no that's not going to happen!

Exactly, Jan. Like the old bundling of software, too. Obfuscation of choices...clearly mens rea.

Well, since he's tech savvy, and has 0Patch, I'd say it's because W7 was very possibly MS's best OS, along with W10.

The sliders one sees and those one can't see...the MS call home probably everywhere in its OS, programs and browser...one is wrapped and trapped.

I agree completely. "...wrapped and trapped!" Great expression for Microsoft.

Privacy consciousness in its most extreme form would be living off the grid completely. Probably, that isn't a healthy amount of paranoia over being watched. I think it is more healthy to be only moderately concerned.

This is not in the best focus, but it does show the settings page for Recall & snapshots.

Looks like you can filter apps and web sites, so I guess if you add your browser and password manager to the exclusions, that would stop recall snapshot from having a record of your browsing history and passwords. That's if you don't use Edge or Chrome! I still don't see the benefit to the average user.

That's because you're assuming the benefit is intended for the user. There is another possibility.  

There does seem to be a path for privacy concerns here. Although I would definitely want to modify the settings quite a bit and not leave them on default.

But, if we are talking about how usable this feature is that may be a different story. I still prefer some of the non AI desktop assistants such as start 11 and Fences to get me organized (you can recall everything you pin or place right there). Having AI doing everything for me on a desktop takes away a lot of human touch and customization. So that is one area I will not be using AI for sure.

from techradar by Darren Allan 05/23/2024

"Microsoft’s announcements around Build 2024 have certainly grabbed some attention, but none more so on the controversy front than the AI-powered ‘Recall’ feature in Windows 11

"Recall has been stirring up strong opinions left, right and center since its revelation, and now it appears to be under the microscope of the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office), a UK-based privacy watchdog.

"The worries expressed widely online are focused on how this feature may affect privacy for those who have it, which won’t be all Windows 11 users, we should note – just Copilot+ PC owners who have the necessary hardware goods in terms of a powerful NPU.

"So, there are definitely still some major concerns and question marks here, and it’s going to be pretty interesting to see what the ICO makes of Microsoft’s big AI play for Windows 11 to supercharge search."

The US doesn't have the same regulations as the UK. I believe Windows 11 has a different version of the OS to accommodate privacy concerns from the UK watchdog.

I won't argue that we are better off without the same level of regulations.

In general, I do have concerns that AI may need some sort of regulations in of itself. AI is not all bad, but it is not all good either 

You might give this a peek:

https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

Recent article on Windows "Recall" security issues:

Windows 11's new AI feature makes it way too easy to steal everything you viewed or typed

https://www.neowin.net/news/windows-11s-new-ai-feature-makes-it-way-too-easy-to-steal-everything-you-viewed-or-typed/

"...stealing everything you viewed or typed on your computer is now very easy."

Indeed. Invent a way to disable it and you'll be a hero.