Microsoft rolls out 'controversial' feature that takes screenshots of your activity

Nathan

Nathan

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Microsoft is rolling out a controversial feature that may leave some Windows users questioning their privacy.

Earlier this year, Microsoft quietly blocked workarounds that let people install Windows 11 on unsupported PCs. And with Windows 10 updates ending in October and the tech giant pushing users to upgrade to the next-gen of Windows, the move messed around millions of users.

Now, users have a new feature to get to terms with.

Available on Copilot+ PCs, the AI-powered ‘Recall’ tool is designed to help you retrace your digital steps by taking screenshots of your browser.

Full story:
Microsoft rolls out 'controversial' feature that takes screenshots of your activity every few seconds
 

Nathan said:
Microsoft is rolling out a controversial feature that may leave some Windows users questioning their privacy.\
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@Nathan - What about Linux & users? Should be no problem to avoid. I know there's work-arounds but if you want to avoid it keep your Linux system as is. Correct? Any Chrome based browser will be impacted, Including Brave, Edge,,,etc. What about my SO's Chromebook? So the older PCs that are Linux compatible will also be impacted. Is this a 'chicken little' reaction or am I on the right track.
 
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gilead said:
@Nathan - What about Linux & users? Should be no problem to avoid. I know there's work-arounds but if you want to avoid it keep your Linux system as is. Correct? Any Chrome based browser will be impacted, Including Brave, Edge,,,etc. What about my SO's Chromebook? So the older PCs that are Linux compatible will also be impacted. Is this a 'chicken little' reaction or am I on the right track.
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@gilead , this is strictly a Windows feature. Microsoft thinks that they own and run the whole world, but they would be...wrong. 😅

All other operating systems like Linux, MacOS, Android and Chrome go their own way.
 
Nathan said:
@gilead , this is strictly a Windows feature. Microsoft thinks that they own and run the whole world, but they would be...wrong. 😅

All other operating systems like Linux, MacOS, Android and Chrome go their own way.
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The article I read (granted skimmed) said it would have lasting conflicts with Google (meaning any Chrome based browsers) & MAC (Apple) systems, Android. was also mentioned. & Would be impacted, I guess we'll just sit back and play it by ear. Could be a real can of worms though. We'll see!
 
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gilead said:
The article I read (granted skimmed) said it would have lasting conflicts with Google (meaning any Chrome based browsers) & MAC (Apple) systems, Android. was also mentioned. & Would be impacted, I guess we'll just sit back and play it by ear. Could be a real can of worms though. We'll see!
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I'd be interested in reading the article you mentioned reading, if you could provide a link.
 
Nathan said:
I'd be interested in reading the article you mentioned reading, if you could provide a link.
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The link was in your 1st post:

Microsoft rolls out 'controversial' feature that takes screenshots of your activity every few seconds

That's the connection to the mentioned Browsers

I read another article that pointed out that a Linux distro could be the only way around it. Can't remember how I got to that article. Googled something. - Sorry!

I think I googled - COPILOT AI and Google connection. And threw in the word 'Linux' somewhere.


Reply
 
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This isn't news, it's about a year old now.

You don't have to buy a Copilot+ PC if you don't want one. Just get a regular Windows 11 PC without an NPU and Copilot+ installed.

Or stay with Windows 10 if you really want to. You'll just be on your own as far as new features, security updates, etc.

None of this has anything to do with installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. That alone calls the clickbait article's reputability into question. Why tie completely unrelated issues together?

There were a gaggle of these scare stories put out around 10 months ago. Probably sponsored by the CCP. :p
 
gilead said:
The link was in your 1st post:

Microsoft rolls out 'controversial' feature that takes screenshots of your activity every few seconds

That's the connection to the mentioned Browsers

I read another article that pointed out that a Linux distro could be the only way around it. Can't remember how I got to that article. Googled something. - Sorry!

I think I googled - COPILOT AI and Google connection. And threw in the word 'Linux' somewhere.


Reply
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OK, I think I see what you're saying, say if you were using Chrome browser on a Windows machine. Google and [probably] Apple are working on their own AI OS indexing and search features as well. I am a long time exclusive Linux user, not aware of a Linux implementation of this set of technologies, mainly because I'm not interested. However, I shall be making inquiries, to keep up with the times.
 
dilettante said:
This isn't news, it's about a year old now.

You don't have to buy a Copilot+ PC if you don't want one. Just get a regular Windows 11 PC without an NPU and Copilot+ installed.

Or stay with Windows 10 if you really want to. You'll just be on your own as far as new features, security updates, etc.

None of this has anything to do with installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. That alone calls the clickbait article's reputability into question. Why tie completely unrelated issues together?

There were a gaggle of these scare stories put out around 10 months ago. Probably sponsored by the CCP. :p
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Note that the article is dated 17 April 2025 which was yesterday. And, the article does mention that Microsoft quietly blocked workarounds that let people install Windows 11 on unsupported PCs. Microsoft has often distributed uh, "inaccurate" proclamations to prod Windows users to follow their edicts. In fact, Windows 11 has long been able to install on "unsupported hardware", as a proof of concept I installed Windows 11 on a desktop that I built back in 2011.
 
Nathan said:
Microsoft is rolling out a controversial feature that may leave some Windows users questioning their privacy.

Earlier this year, Microsoft quietly blocked workarounds that let people install Windows 11 on unsupported PCs. And with Windows 10 updates ending in October and the tech giant pushing users to upgrade to the next-gen of Windows, the move messed around millions of users.

Now, users have a new feature to get to terms with.

Available on Copilot+ PCs, the AI-powered ‘Recall’ tool is designed to help you retrace your digital steps by taking screenshots of your browser.

Full story:
Microsoft rolls out 'controversial' feature that takes screenshots of your activity every few seconds
Click to expand...
Once upon a time Microsoft kept a second hidden copy of your internet browsing history. So when you "deleted" your entire history, nope, didn't happen.
 
Lawrence00 said:
Once upon a time Microsoft kept a second hidden copy of your internet browsing history. So when you "deleted" your entire history, nope, didn't happen.
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Microsoft is not to be trusted with users data. I can't say for the present, but years ago Microsoft created a backdoor for gaining access to a properly password protected user account. Whatever the stated reason, the fact of the matter is- if the 'good guys' can use the backdoor, then so can the bad guys.
 
I believe you can remove the App, there are several Ai apps on a 11 pro.
 

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Nathan said:
Note that the article is dated 17 April 2025 which was yesterday. And, the article does mention that Microsoft quietly blocked workarounds that let people install Windows 11 on unsupported PCs. Microsoft has often distributed uh, "inaccurate" proclamations to prod Windows users to follow their edicts. In fact, Windows 11 has long been able to install on "unsupported hardware", as a proof of concept I installed Windows 11 on a desktop that I built back in 2011.
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What does any of that have to do with fearmongering about Copilot+?
 
Nathan said:
Microsoft is not to be trusted with users data. I can't say for the present, but years ago Microsoft created a backdoor for gaining access to a properly password protected user account. Whatever the stated reason, the fact of the matter is- if the 'good guys' can use the backdoor, then so can the bad guys.
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Microsoft's 11 pro has a solid state hard drive encryption protection system. But I don't really trust them.
Thats the reason many older laptops with 10 pro didn't accept 11 but maybe Microsoft has downturned for them to. nother challenge.
 
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I disabled copilot as soon as I discovered it, disabled any and all audio assistance apps, disabled location services, disassociated my Outlook email from Outlook account, and use a PIN to sign in instead of email sign in. I do not use any Cloud services; always use incognito for browsing and clear browsing history with every exit, and use a VPN when searching for anything sensitive. I'm not sure how much privacy those steps actually provide, but they're better than doing nothing.
 

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