The recent news about Microsoft Copilot+ PCs reveals a significant advancement in AI-powered computing on the Windows platform, coupled with noteworthy debates around privacy and security.
Battery Life considerations are not explicitly detailed in the reports; however, the heavy on-device AI processing enabled by Neural Processing Units (NPUs) suggests optimized efficiency compared to cloud-dependent AI tasks. Still, continuous screenshot capture by features like Recall and local AI processing could introduce additional power demands, potentially impacting battery life, especially on portable devices.
In terms of System Performance, Copilot+ PCs are heralded as the "most performant Windows PCs ever built." The integration of powerful NPUs with 40+ TOPS performance allows advanced AI features such as Recall, Click to Do, and an enhanced natural language search to run locally, increasing responsiveness and reducing latency. This results in faster search times—claimed to be 70% faster than Windows 10 traditional search—and generally fluid AI-driven user experiences. The hardware acceleration here significantly offloads AI tasks from the CPU, benefiting overall system performance.
Looking at Hardware, Copilot+ is a collaborative platform involving Microsoft and OEMs like Lenovo, Samsung, and HP, enabling a new class of AI-capable devices. The platform currently supports specific high-performance processors equipped with NPUs, such as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite/Plus, Intel Core Ultra 200V-series, and AMD Ryzen AI 300 series. However, the limited processor range restricts availability, and some AI features like Click to Do are initially rolling out only on Snapdragon-powered devices before wider hardware support.
From a Software perspective, Copilot+ ushers in AI enhancements tightly integrated with Windows 11. Features like Recall provide a photographic memory that captures user activity via snapshots for quick recall of files, links, messages, and settings through natural language queries. Additionally, AI-driven tools like Click to Do streamline content editing and summarizing directly on-screen. These capabilities are integrated within Windows Search and other system utilities, representing a substantial evolution of Windows' AI features.
The coverage extensively discusses Security concerns, especially surrounding the Recall feature. Although data is processed and stored locally within secure Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) enclaves and accessible only via Windows Hello biometric authentication, the continual capture of on-screen activity raised red flags initially. Early versions reportedly stored sensitive data like passwords in plaintext, leading to serious criticism and a nearly year-long delay before full rollout with enhanced protections. Microsoft has introduced user controls to pause or disable Recall, exclude apps/websites, and delete stored data, mitigating some risks. Nonetheless, risks of unauthorized access remain if device security is compromised.
Privacy is the most contentious aspect in the news. While Recall and related AI features operate locally without uploading data to the cloud, the sheer volume and sensitivity of data collected by Recall cause apprehension. Users must opt in to enable Recall, and privacy improvements include filtering sensitive info and biometric protection. Despite these measures, some skepticism persists due to the feature’s fundamental design of capturing continuous snapshots. The opt-in and uninstall options empower users but do not entirely eliminate concerns over potential misuse or unauthorized viewing of private information.
Compatibility is currently limited by hardware requirements. The need for a dedicated NPU and qualified processors confines Copilot+ features to a subset of modern PCs. While OEM support is broadening, key AI functionalities initially target devices powered by specific chipsets. This exclusivity impacts market penetration and user adoption, particularly as some features lag in availability across Intel and AMD platforms.
Regarding Reliability, the software is undergoing a cautious, gradual rollout with adjustments prompted by early user feedback and security audits. Microsoft’s decision to delay and relaunch Recall after privacy overhauls indicates an emphasis on stabilizing the feature before widespread deployment. Nevertheless, users and security researchers remain vigilant given the novelty and sensitivity of continuous activity capture.
In summary, Microsoft’s Copilot+ platform represents a bold step in embedding sophisticated AI directly into Windows PCs, offering productivity gains through intelligent search and interaction. While the local processing model for AI features aims to enhance privacy and reduce cloud dependency, Recall’s intrusive nature in continuously capturing on-screen activity poses ongoing privacy and security challenges that Microsoft is actively addressing through opt-in controls, encryption, and biometric safeguards. The platform’s performance benefits are tempered by hardware limitations and cautious adoption strategies, with user trust being a critical factor for long-term success.
AI REQUEST ERROR: empty prompt value for Microsoft Copilot+, which is a new computer hardware platform developed by Microsoft and its OEMs (...
This is not a Copilot+ review.
AI REQUEST ERROR: empty prompt value for Microsoft Copilot+, which is a new computer hardware platform developed by Microsoft and its OEMs (...
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/microsoft-recall-ai-pc
| Key positive aspects of Copilot+ | Key concerns related to Copilot+ |
|---|---|
| Windows Recall AI feature rolls out on Copilot+ PCs with Windows 11 KB5055627 update, improving productivity by allowing quick screen content recall. | Initial implementation of Recall AI posed privacy risks by capturing and storing passwords in plain text. |
| Recall AI can find files, photos, links, or messages using natural language descriptions, enhancing user experience. | Recall AI feature rollout was delayed for nearly a year due to privacy and security concerns. |
| Improved Recall AI model filters out passwords and sensitive information, making the feature optional to ensure user control. | Users may have ongoing concerns about privacy despite improvements and opt-in nature of Recall AI. |
| Copilot+ PCs leverage AI to enhance Windows 11 functionality, showcasing innovation in AI-powered PC experiences. | Security researchers originally flagged Recall AI as a "privacy nightmare," indicating trust issues with new tech. |
| Key positive aspects of Copilot+ | Key concerns related to Copilot+ |
|---|---|
| Introduction of Recall, an AI-powered Windows search tool that acts as a photographic memory, enabling retrieval of files, settings, and activities. | Recall's initial reception included significant privacy concerns due to its snapshots of user activity, described as a "privacy nightmare." |
| Recall is opt-in and disabled by default, requiring Windows Hello authentication for access, with data processed and encrypted only on the device. | Even after Recall is removed, temporary copies of non-executable binary files used by Recall may remain temporarily on the PC. |
| The AI-powered Windows Search allows users to find files and content using natural language, reducing search time significantly (claimed 70% faster than Windows 10 traditional search). | The advanced AI features require specific Copilot+ hardware, limiting availability to PCs that meet certain specifications. |
| Click to Do feature enables AI-based actions on selected text or images, such as copying, editing, summarizing, or image manipulation, all processed locally for privacy. | Potential user hesitation around new AI features due to privacy or security concerns, despite assurances of local processing and limited content snooping. |
| AI processing happens locally on the device for both Recall and Click to Do, reducing data sent to cloud or third parties. | Initial rollout is controlled and gradual, indicating Microsoft is cautious due to potential user acceptance and technical issues. |
| Wide OEM support includes Lenovo, Samsung, HP, etc., indicating strong industry adoption for Copilot+ hardware platform. | Some advanced features like Click to Do text actions are rolling out first only on Snapdragon-powered devices before expanding to AMD and Intel chips. |
| Key positive aspects of Copilot+ | Key concerns related to Copilot+ |
|---|---|
| Offers AI-powered features like Recall (improved semantic search), Live Captions, Cocreator, Restyle Image, and Image Creator within Photos. | Recall stores snapshots of PC activity which may pose privacy risks if accessed by hackers or unauthorized users. |
| Recall enhances productivity by allowing search for information across apps without needing to know app or timestamp details. | Recall requires significant storage capacity to save snapshots, potentially impacting system resources. |
| AI features available for Copilot+ PCs with Qualcomm Snapdragon CPUs, as well as qualifying AMD and Intel processors. | Some Copilot+ features like Click to Do, Live Captions, and Voice Access have limited support on AMD and Intel chips. |
| Recall is opt-in by default, requiring explicit user activation to function. | The convenience of Windows Hello unlocking Recall data may expose sensitive private information if unauthorized access occurs. |
| Users can completely disable or uninstall Recall and exclude specific applications from being recorded. | Recall is limited to a small subset of PCs with sufficient NPU power, limiting availability and broader usability. |
| Recall is secured by Windows Hello authentication, providing strong security for stored snapshots. | Not all modern CPUs (e.g., Intel Core Ultra 200 series) have the NPU power to support Recall despite being recent processors. |
| Microsoft has updated Recall based on user feedback to address privacy and usage concerns before wider release. | Overall trust concerns exist around the long-term privacy implications and data security of having ongoing snapshot storage. |
| Key positive aspects of Copilot+ | Key concerns related to Copilot+ |
|---|---|
| Recall feature helps users find lost documents and websites by constantly recording screenshots and using AI search. | Recall raised privacy issues by constantly recording user activity via screenshots. |
| Recall data and snapshots are stored in secure VBS enclaves (software-based trusted execution environment). | Recall was initially enabled automatically on Copilot+ PCs, raising privacy concerns. |
| Recall requires manual activation, uses Windows Hello biometric security for settings changes, and can be uninstalled. | Recall's initial lack of secure storage and automatic activation caused delays and criticisms. |
| Improved Windows Search allows natural language queries for documents and images, enhancing search usability. | The initial rush to deliver AI features like Recall may harm consumer trust due to security oversights. |
| All Copilot+ AI features, including search and Recall, run locally using the PC's neural processing units (NPU). | Some users may not find Recall useful if they are already experienced in file and web content management. |
| Click to Do lets users quickly summarize or rewrite texts within existing apps without switching apps. | Click to Do may not appeal to all users, viewed as less essential or exciting. |
| Click to Do is accessible via multiple input methods including keyboard shortcuts, touch gestures, and icons. | Gradual rollout suggests Microsoft is cautious about potential issues during widespread deployment. |
| AI features like Recall and search function without sending data to the cloud, preserving user privacy locally. | Early controversy over Recall feature could diminish confidence in all Microsoft Copilot AI features collectively. |
| Key positive aspects of Copilot+ | Key concerns related to Copilot+ |
|---|---|
| Windows Recall feature captures user activities via snapshots and stores them securely and locally on the device. | Initial controversy over privacy and security due to local data storage, causing Microsoft to delay the feature launch. |
| Recall app allows users to filter out specific apps and webpages from being captured and delete snapshots anytime. | Early security concerns necessitated Microsoft to pull the feature days before launch for improvements. |
| Data captured by Recall is encrypted and accessible only via the Recall app with Windows Hello authentication (face/fingerprint/PIN). | Concern over whether local storage alone fully alleviates privacy/security fears given extensive data capture. |
| Click To Do adds AI overlay for easy image copying/editing and text definition, rewriting, or summarization directly from the screen. | Potential user concerns about AI overlay integrations possibly affecting system performance or user experience. |
| AI-powered Search feature allows natural language queries to find files, apps, and settings improving search speed and ease. | Gradual rollout might lead to inconsistent user experiences across regions and devices initially. |
| Features available on Copilot+ PCs powered by Snapdragon, Intel, and AMD ensuring broad hardware compatibility. | Delay for rollout in European Economic Area until later in the year possibly due to regulatory or localization challenges. |
| Key positive aspects of Copilot+ | Key concerns related to Copilot+ |
|---|---|
| Recall feature continuously records PC activity with screenshots, saves text, and creates a searchable database for easier recall. | Recall records everything the user does on the PC, raising major security and privacy concerns; anyone with access to the Recall database can see almost all user activity. |
| Recall is opt-in rather than opt-out, and can be completely removed by the user, addressing concerns about forced surveillance. | Initial rollout faced harsh criticism for lack of security protections, rushed attempts, and multiple delays. |
| Recall feature includes better automated content filtering to prevent storing some sensitive information. | Content filtering in Recall is still inconsistent, potentially risking exposure of sensitive data. |
| New natural-language search in Windows Search makes finding files and settings more intuitive and context-aware. | Copilot+ PCs require specific hardware including a high-performance neural processing unit, limiting availability to select devices and processors. |
| "Click to Do" feature enables copying text from images, searching screen content, and quick summarization or rewriting, improving usability. | Some "Click to Do" features are limited to Arm systems, restricting full functionality on certain hardware (Intel, AMD PCs). |
| Neural Processing Unit (NPU) with 40+ TOPS enables on-device AI processing, speeding up features and improving privacy by reducing cloud data sharing. | Copilot+ supported processors are currently limited to Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite/Plus, Intel Core Ultra 200V-series, and AMD Ryzen AI 300 series, limiting broader user access. |
| Key positive aspects of Copilot+ | Key concerns related to Copilot+ |
|---|---|
| Copilot+ PCs come with built-in NPUs enabling local AI processing for advanced features like Recall. | Recall feature captures screenshots every few seconds, potentially storing sensitive information like passwords and financial data. |
| Recall enables a searchable timeline of on-screen activity using natural language queries, acting as an AI memory. | Sensitive data captured by Recall could be exposed if an attacker gains access to the local archive. |
| Recall processes data locally on the device, with no cloud uploads, enhancing data privacy control. | Early versions of Recall lacked redaction of sensitive info, causing privacy backlash. |
| Recall is opt-in and disabled by default, respecting user choice on participation. | Screen snapshots and stored data could be visible to anyone with computer access if not secured properly. |
| Microsoft added several privacy controls: pause data capture, exclude specific apps/websites, and delete data stored. | Potential risk of misuse or unauthorized access exists despite biometric protections if device security is compromised. |
| Access to Recall timeline requires Windows Hello biometric authentication, increasing security. | Recall currently only available on Copilot+ PCs, limiting the feature's reach but also restricting user choice. |
| Users have the ability to uninstall Recall completely through system settings. | This exclusive feature may raise concerns about proprietary hardware lock-in and compatibility limitations. |