How to use Windows Recall

About this video

An introduction to Windows Recall, which captures everything done on a computer — documents, emails, websites and photos — and organizes it into a searchable timeline that can be searched with everyday words, for example ‘chocolate chip cookie website’ finding kevincookiecompany.com or locating a photo of an airship. Kevin explains that at the time it was only available to Windows Insiders on the dev channel, which anyone can join by registering, then enabling via Settings (Windows + I), Windows Update and the Windows Insider Program. After launching Recall from taskbar search and accepting the Windows Security prompt, users opt in — it is not on by default — and the taskbar icon shows it is running, lets them pause snapshots, and opens Recall (also via Windows + J). In the main experience he searches ‘YouTube video about five Windows features’ and finds his own ‘Five Hidden Windows Features’ video, searches ‘vegan cookies were dry’ to find a text match in a Word document, and searches ‘airship’ to find an image where text is recognized. Snapshots can be reopened, or deleted by snapshot, app or website. Settings cover turning Recall on/off, allocating storage space, filtering sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers, and filtering apps or websites. He notes private/incognito browsing is not snapshotted, and according to Microsoft snapshots are encrypted, only the user has access, they are not used for training, and it is completely opt-in after an initial privacy backlash and revamp.

Key takeaways

• Recall takes snapshots of documents, emails, websites and photos and makes them searchable in a timeline using everyday words and recognized on-screen text
• At the time of the video, access required joining the Windows Insider Program and opting into the dev channel
• Recall is opt-in, not on by default, and is opened from the taskbar icon or with Windows + J
• Users can delete a snapshot or everything from a specific app or website, pause snapshots, allocate storage, and filter sensitive information, apps and websites
• According to Microsoft in the video, snapshots are encrypted, only the user has access, they are not used for training, and in-private/incognito browsing is not captured

Episode details: published January 9, 2025 · 8:26 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are Kevin Stratvert’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

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