- Recall allows you to locate any previous visual content using an intelligent timeline and semantic searches.
- Click to Do offers an interactive layer for performing quick actions on text and images in real time.
- Both tools require specific Copilot+ PC hardware with high-performance NPU to function locally.
You've probably experienced this: you remember seeing some crucial information on a website or in a document a few days ago, but now that you need it, you have absolutely no idea where it was. To solve this headache, Microsoft has deployed an arsenal of AI-powered features that promise to turn our computers into a kind of infinite photographic memory , making life easier for those of us who juggle a thousand tabs at once.
It's not just about searching for files by name, but about interacting with what we see in a much more fluid way. With the arrival of tools like Recall and Click to Do, the operating system takes a qualitative leap, aiming to make information management natural and not dependent on us being masters of folder organization, although this does entail fairly strict technical requirements.
This tool is essentially a system that generates periodic snapshots of your screen so you can navigate back in time. If you're looking for a restaurant you saw in an online guide or a phrase from a PDF, you can use vague clues or scroll through a timeline to locate the exact moment. Once you find the screenshot, simply press the reload button to return to the original content.
To make all this possible, the system uses image recognition and screen segmentation, allowing users to perform semantic searches . This means you don't need to type the exact word; the AI understands the context of what you're looking for, similar to how some instant searches work in Windows . Furthermore, thanks to the UserActivity API, applications can create deep links so you can pick up right where you left off without going in circles.
Regarding privacy, which was the major stumbling block initially, Microsoft has implemented secure enclaves (VBS) and requires Windows Hello authentication. The system is no longer enabled by default, and users must provide explicit consent. Automatic filters are also in place to prevent sensitive data, such as credit card information or passwords, from being stored in the local database.
If Recall is the memory, Click to Do is the execution arm. This function is activated by a simple combination: the Windows key and a left click. Doing so deploys an interactive overlay on the screen that analyzes what you're seeing and suggests relevant actions, functioning as one of the essential Windows shortcuts for speed. For example, if you have text selected, it can offer you the option to summarize the paragraph or change its tone to sound more formal.
This tool is especially useful for working with images. If it detects an object, it can suggest using Bing Visual Search for more details, or allow you to quickly remove elements from a photo's background. Essentially, it's a contextual shortcut that understands whether you're in a browser or a design application to streamline your workflow without having to open complicated menus.
We shouldn't get our hopes up if we have an older PC, as these features are exclusive to Copilot+ systems . For AI to process data locally, without overloading the cloud and with low power consumption, it's essential to have an NPU with at least 40 TOPS (Neural Processing Units), whether from Qualcomm, Intel, or AMD.
The rollout has been organized through updates, notably the non-security preview version released in April 2025. For users who want to try it right now, the option is to enable the "Get the latest updates as soon as they are available" option in Windows Update . It's worth noting that support for Arm64EC via emulation is not currently available.
Microsoft's AI ecosystem doesn't stop at just these two features. Windows Search has been revamped to allow natural language searches , working even without an internet connection, first in File Explorer and then across the rest of the system. In addition, Paint has received a facelift with generative fill and erase tools , allowing users to add or remove objects with an adjustable brush.
For photography enthusiasts, there's now a tool that can reimagine old images , increasing the resolution up to eight times and correcting blur. This comes alongside the 24H2 update, which brings improvements in energy efficiency , support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth LE Audio, as well as HDR-enabled wallpapers for superior visual quality.
For IT administrators, Microsoft has made Recall management easier through Windows client policies, allowing control from allocated disk space to the complete disabling of data analysis using the DisableAIDataAnalysis option, ensuring that companies have the final say on the privacy of their computers.
This entire set of tools makes Windows 11 a much smarter environment, where the combination of unbeatable visual memory with contextual shortcuts allows productivity to skyrocket , provided we have the right hardware and configure the privacy settings to our liking.
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