AI Trends

Microsoft Recall is an AI assistant that tracks everything you do on your PC

Remy Gieling

February 1, 2026

min read

Microsoft Recall is an AI assistant that tracks everything you do on your PC

Microsoft Recall will soon be available on a select number of AI computers from various brands

The world of technology never stands still, and Microsoft recently announced an innovative new feature called Microsoft Recall. This tool promises to revolutionize the way we interact with our digital memories and information management. In this article, we'll dive deeper into what exactly Microsoft Recall is, how it works, and what benefits and challenges it brings to Microsoft Windows business users.

What is Microsoft Recall?

Microsoft Recall is an advanced tool that takes a screenshot of what you do on your Windows PC every few seconds. These screenshots are then stored in an extensive database on your own device. The idea behind Recall is that this gives you, as a user, access to a detailed archive of your digital activities, which you can search at any time.

How Does Microsoft Recall Work?

When you have Recall turned on, the program continuously takes screenshots of your screen. These screenshots are stored locally and can be accessed via a search interface. This means you can look back at what you've done on your computer in the past at any time. For example, let's say you saw a nice leather bag online a few weeks ago but you forgot where to buy it. You can then simply ask your Microsoft AI assistant, “Hey, I saw a nice brown bag the other day. Where did I see it again?” The assistant will then search the saved screenshots and help you find the relevant information.

Benefits of Microsoft Recall for Business Users

Improved Productivity: Business users can greatly benefit from this tool by having quick and easy access to their previous work. This can be especially useful for project managers, researchers, and others who often have to look back at previously collected information.
Efficient Information Management: Recall makes it possible to efficiently manage and retrieve information that might otherwise be lost. This can help streamline work processes and prevent duplication of work.
Personal Assistance: The integration with Microsoft AI assistants means that users can not only search manually, but also use voice commands to search their digital history. This can make interacting with digital tools more intuitive and user-friendly.

Privacy and Safety

One of the biggest concerns with the introduction of Microsoft Recall is the potential invasion of privacy. Critics, including some writers at the BBC, are concerned about the implications of a tool that constantly takes screenshots of everything you do. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella responded by stressing that all data is stored locally on the user's device and that no data is sent to the cloud. This means that neither Microsoft nor other parties have access to this information, which ensures a certain level of security and privacy.

Competition and Innovation

Microsoft Recall isn't the only tool of its kind. It competes directly with Rewind AI, also known as Limitless AI, a startup that offers a similar service. Limitless AI even goes a step further by developing a physical clip that not only records digital activities but also physical conversations and makes them searchable. However, this has led to further concerns about privacy and the ethical implications of storing and searching personal conversations.

Future Applications and Challenges

The development of tools such as Microsoft Recall and Limitless AI raises important questions about how we deal with our digital and physical privacy. While these technologies can offer huge benefits in terms of productivity and information management, we also need to consider the ethical and societal implications. How long does this data have to be kept? Who has access to this information? And how do we ensure that such technologies are not misused?

Conclusion

Microsoft Recall represents an exciting step forward in the world of digital technology. For business users, it offers numerous benefits, including improved productivity and efficiency in information management. However, the tool also poses challenges in terms of privacy and ethics. It's important that companies and individuals carefully consider how they want to use such technologies and what measures they need to take to ensure user privacy and safety.

Whether you think Microsoft Recall is a blessing or a curse, one thing is certain: developments in AI and digital technology are moving at a rapid pace. It is up to us to integrate these changes into our daily life and work in a responsible and thoughtful way. Do you want to stay up to date with the latest developments? Then follow experts like Remy Gieling or Job van den Berg on social media and stay informed about the future of AI and technology.