Microsoft Recall on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Setup Guide

With the release of Windows 11 Recall, Microsoft has introduced a powerful new feature that acts like a digital memory assistant — automatically capturing snapshots of your screen so you can “recall” anything you’ve seen.

But with great power comes great responsibility, and a few privacy concerns.

In this guide, we’ll explain what Microsoft Recall is, how it works, and how to set it up safely on your Windows 11 PC.

What Is Microsoft Recall?

Microsoft Recall is a new Windows 11 feature designed to help users remember and rediscover what they’ve done on their PCs.

It periodically takes screenshots of your screen, indexes the content using AI-powered semantic search, and lets you find past activity by typing keywords or descriptions, even if the original file or tab is closed.

Essentially, it turns your computer into a searchable memory log.

Key Features of Microsoft Recall:

• Automatically captures screen snapshots every few seconds
• Lets you search your screen history using natural language
• Displays context (like app, time, and related screenshots)
• Works with local device storage using on-device AI

Step 1: Check If Your Device Supports Windows Recall

Microsoft Recall isn’t available on all systems yet.
To use it, you need:

• A Windows 11 PC running the latest version (with the Recall feature update)
• A Copilot+ PC powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite or similar NPU-equipped hardware
• The latest firmware and security updates installed

You can check your device compatibility by going to:
Settings → System → About → Device Specifications

If you have an eligible device, you’ll see Recall settings available under Privacy & Security.

Step 2: Enable Microsoft Recall

Once you’ve confirmed compatibility, follow these steps to enable Recall:

1. Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Recall & Snapshots
2. Turn on Save snapshots
3. Choose your snapshot storage location (default is your local drive)
4. Customize how often Recall captures your screen and how long it retains data

You can also adjust privacy settings — like excluding certain apps or windows from being recorded.

Step 3: Manage Privacy and Exclusions

To keep your private data safe, you can:

• Exclude specific apps (e.g., banking, messaging)
• Blur or redact personal information automatically
• Pause Recall manually or on specific windows
• Set an auto-delete schedule to remove old snapshots

This is especially important since Recall captures nearly everything visible on your screen.

Step 4: Search and Recall Information

Once enabled, you can use Recall to rediscover what you’ve seen:

1. Press Windows + J to open the Recall timeline.
2. Type a keyword or description — like “invoice,” “meeting,” or “LinkedIn.”
3. Browse through visual tiles showing relevant moments.
4. Click to reopen the snapshot context — webpage, app, or file.

The AI-powered search understands context, not just text, so it can find what you mean even if you don’t remember exact words.

Step 5: Be Aware of Privacy Concerns

While Recall is an impressive productivity booster, it comes with significant privacy implications:

• It stores screenshots of everything, including sensitive data.
• Anyone with access to your device could potentially view your Recall history.
• There’s no encryption by default for Recall snapshots (unless you enable full disk encryption).

That’s why some users and privacy advocates recommend exploring offline alternatives like Recall Assist, which work completely locally without sending or storing data in the cloud.

Alternative: Recall Assist — A Privacy-First Approach

If you love Recall’s concept but want full data control, try Recall Assist — a Windows app built to replicate the best parts of Microsoft Recall while keeping everything 100% offline.

✅ Works on any Windows PC
✅ Encrypts data locally
✅ Includes pause, redaction, and auto-purge controls
✅ No AI cloud dependency
✅ Ideal for developers, founders, and privacy-focused users

Final Thoughts

Microsoft Recall on Windows 11 brings futuristic memory search capabilities to your desktop — helping users rediscover past work effortlessly.

But it’s crucial to balance convenience with privacy, especially when dealing with sensitive data.

If you’re looking for a secure, private, and offline recall experience, give Recall Assist a try it’s the perfect assisted recall software for professionals who value both productivity and privacy.