How Recall Works in Windows 11: Your Visual History Step by Step

How to view your PC's viewing history with the Recall feature in Windows 11? Imagine being able to retrace every step you've taken on your computer as if you had a perfect photographic memory. You remember that important file you edited weeks ago, the website for that product you looked up and forgot, or that conversation in a messaging app you need to review again. Microsoft has taken a leap forward with a revolutionary feature: Recall, also known as Regards in its Spanish version, specifically designed for Windows 11 on Copilot+ PC devices. But how does this visual history actually work and what implications does it have for our privacy? Here, we explain everything, in detail and without beating around the bush: from how to activate and configure it, to the risks, requirements, and how to protect your information if you decide to use it.

Recall has become one of the hottest topics in the tech world.Is it just another tool to make our daily work easier, or is this a potential invasion of our privacy? If you're curious or thinking about taking advantage of this feature on your device, keep reading because we'll break down everything you need to know, from the first click to the last security setting.

What is Recall in Windows 11?

Recall is an advanced Windows 11 feature based on artificial intelligence. which acts as a kind of digital memory for your computer. What it does is Record and store periodic screenshots of everything that appears on your PC, generating a visual history where you can search, navigate, and go back in time to locate actions, files, websites, and more. The goal of this feature is take a leap from typical file or browser history: Now you can review what happened on your computer in any app or window, just like rewinding a movie of your digital activity.

This visual history goes far beyond web browser history.Thanks to the timeline that organizes captures by time blocks, you can explore every step you took on your computer: from a modified Word document, a sent email, a web search, to a specific fragment of a presentation. Additionally, Recall integrates AI to analyze and understand content, enabling natural language searches, such as "photos from the last trip with the red car," and the ability to transcribe audio from videos or meetings, making it easier to search by text and context.

How exactly does the Recall function work?

Essentially, Recall periodically takes screenshots of the content that appears on your PC and stores them locally.These snapshots are organized in a timeline within an application accessible from the taskbar or via the keyboard shortcut Windows + J. This way, you can browse by day and time, see all the actions taken, and most importantly, perform smart searches that not only examine text, but also images and even content within specific apps.

A key detail is that Recall transforms screenshots into interactive elements. If, for example, you locate a screenshot of a website, you can select, copy text, or open links directly from the image. This process makes information retrieval much faster, allowing you to correct errors, recover deleted text, or find past information with just a few clicks.

• Advanced search recognizes images, text, and context, making it possible to find even a specific slide within a PowerPoint presentation or identify a recipe you've been searching for for months.
• For those who manage multiple applications at once, Recall becomes an ally, as it centralizes the memory of everything that happens on the computer, even after a long time has passed.

Practical applications of Recall in your daily life

Recall's versatility is evident in various everyday scenarios.If you lose track of an email you sent and can't remember which account it was from, Recall lets you scroll through your timeline and locate that message. If you accidentally deleted a long text from a report or a recipe you found online, you can perform natural language searches and Recall will show you screenshots of the lost content, ready to be recovered or copied.

Another relevant use is retrieve information scattered across multiple applicationsFor example, a user can search for "blue dress I saw on Pinterest," and Recall will find the specific image even if the window was closed a long time ago. It even distinguishes between different contexts and recognizes images, colors, and content fragments to pinpoint the exact moment. These types of applications can be essential in meetings, collaborative work, or when managing a lot of digital information at once.

Privacy and Security: Who Accesses Your Eye History?

One of the biggest debates surrounding Recall has to do with data privacy and security.. Logically, recording your PC's browsing history poses significant challenges, as confidential data, passwords, or sensitive personal information could be stored there. Therefore, Microsoft has insisted that Recall works locally, privately, and securely.: everything that is recorded stays on the device, without being sent to the cloud or used to train third-party AI.

However, the user has several options to control what is stored.You can decide at any time:

• Which apps or websites are excluded from history adding them to a custom filter list.
• Pause capture recording temporarily if you are going to perform a sensitive action.
• Delete individual captures or the entire stored history from the Recall application itself.
• Filter sensitive information by default (for example, passwords, card numbers or personal data), which will not be stored or visible through Recall.

The feature requires biometric authentication with Windows Hello, so only the authenticated user can access the feature and its snapshots. Snapshots remain encrypted on disk, and security systems such as BitLocker and TPM 2.0 are leveraged to prevent unauthorized access. It's important to emphasize that Other users with an account on the same device do not have access to each other's viewing history., and that all encryption is linked to the primary user's biometric identity.

Visual history management options in Recall

History management and customization are an essential part of the Recall experience.From Windows Settings, under "Privacy & security > Memories & snapshots," you can turn the feature on or off, temporarily pause screenshots, and manage filters for excluded apps or websites.

• When activating Recall for the first time, the system requests confirmation so that the user can decide whether or not to participate in snapshot recording.; if you do not participate, the feature remains disabled by default.
• Each user can control their own history, without influencing the history of other users on the same computer.
• The Recall icon in the system tray indicates the status of the function: active, paused or with filters applied, allowing you to manage privacy instantly.
• If you detect that a screenshot contains sensitive information or an unfiltered app, you can delete all related history from the Recall search results itself.

Managing storage and history duration

Captures generated by Recall take up disk spaceThe system sets a maximum storage limit for snapshots, which the user can modify according to their preferences. Once this limit is exceeded, Older captures are automatically deleted, prioritizing the most recent content. For example, if you want to manage how long these screenshots are retained, you can check .

You can choose how long screenshots are retained before being deleted, customizing the experience based on the importance and use you need for this feature.

Who can enjoy Recall? Technical requirements

Recall is currently offered as an exclusive feature for Copilot+ PCs.These are computers equipped with specialized AI hardware, allowing the entire visual history to be processed and stored locally, efficiently, and securely.

• Minimum RAM of 16 GB to manage the processing of AI-generated data and snapshots.
• A minimum of 8 logical processors (CPU cores) to ensure performance.
• At least 256 GB of internal storage and 50 GB always free for captures.
• In some cases, it is required TPM 2.0 and BitLocker support for advanced security and encryption.
• To enjoy Recall, The system must be updated to a recent version of Windows 11 (as of the 2024 update).

At the moment, the feature is only available in certain languages. —including Spanish—and, in the initial phases, only for users of the Windows Insider program before its mass launch.

Disputes, delays, and how to disable Recall if you need to

Not everything has been a bed of roses for Recall. Privacy concerns, especially after it was discovered that early versions stored data in plain text, led to Microsoft to delay official launch of the feature and limit access to only those who sign up for the Insider program while implementing security improvements.

If you purchase a Copilot+ PC today, Recall may not be available right out of the box.The company is gradually activating the feature and will only do so once it's fully optimized for privacy and security.

If at any point you decide you don't want to use Recall —or you prefer to control it manually—, you can:

1. Open Windows Settings (Win + I).
2. Go to “Privacy and Security.”
3. Select “Memories and Snapshots”.
4. Disable the option to save snapshots.
5. Delete stored screenshots by selecting “Delete All.”
6. Close Settings to apply changes.

According to Microsoft, Recall is never enabled by default without explicit user consent, and you can always uninstall it from Windows Features if you want to completely remove it. If you're ultimately interested in Recall, here's a guide on how to do it. How to enable or disable Recall in Windows 11 step by step

How to protect saved data with Recall

Given the level of detail that visual history can record, it is essential to protect the stored information.. Microsoft recommends using encryption tools included with the system, such as BitLocker, which prevent access to unauthorized users even if the hard drive is removed or the computer is hacked.

Recall also relies on security layers such as:

• Microsoft Pluto Security Processor (integrated into Copilot+ PC).
• Secure login with Windows Hello ESS, required to access visual history.
• Encrypted storage and protected keys through the secure enclave TPM 2.0.
• Disabling the feature or mass deleting screenshots in case of detecting any suspicious access attempt.

Ultimately, Recall's security is on par with the rest of the operating system, but as with any powerful feature, it's essential to configure it properly and periodically review the permissions and filters applied.

What limitations does Recall have?

To avoid risks and possible information leaks, Recall does not record audio, continuous video, or take screenshots during gaming sessions.It also does not store DRM-protected materials or during remote connections through compatible clients.

Microsoft is adding support for more apps and browsers, but currently the most effective filters work in Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. Filtering by websites requires developers to implement the API specific Memories on their platforms.

Is Recall for everyone?

Thanks to its potential, Recall is creating a lot of excitement among advanced users, professionals and those who work with large volumes of digital information.However, it's essential to assess the risks and make sure you always keep your privacy and permissions settings up to date to avoid unpleasant surprises.

In businesses, license management and installed software control are two aspects that are gaining importance. Third-party tools, such as InvGate Asset Management, help monitor the use of features like Recall and keep the environment up-to-date and secure, minimizing vulnerabilities and optimizing resources.

Recall opens a new horizon when it comes to managing the digital memory of our teams.. It provides convenience and agility for retrieving information, but it's crucial to understand how it works, what the risks are, and how to control what's stored and who can access it at all times. If you have a Copilot+ PC and like the idea of having all your activity under control, with the right privacy and security options, Recall could become one of your favorite Windows 11 features. We hope you've learned how to view your PC's visual history with the Recall feature in Windows 11.