Podcast Summary: Hands-On Windows 128: Recall and Click to Do

Podcast Information:

• Title: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)
• Host: Paul Thurrott (TWiT)
• Episode: Hands-On Windows 128: Recall and Click to Do
• Release Date: February 20, 2025
• Description: Leo Laporte and the TWiT team bring together leading technology personalities to discuss the most pressing issues in tech. The podcast is known for its fun, relaxed, informative, and entertaining approach, offering listeners some of the best tech insights globally.

Introduction

In the 128th episode of Hands-On Windows, host Paul Thurrott delves into two groundbreaking AI-driven features introduced in Windows 11: Recall and Click to Do. These features are part of the Copilot Plus PC initiative, which aims to enhance user productivity and interaction through advanced artificial intelligence. Thurrott provides an in-depth analysis of these tools, discussing their functionalities, potential benefits, and the controversies surrounding them.

Overview of Copilot Plus PC Requirements

Thurrott begins by outlining the prerequisites for accessing Recall and Click to Do. Both features are exclusive to Copilot Plus PCs, which presently require enrollment in the Windows Insider Program. These PCs must meet specific hardware criteria, including:

• Processor: Snapdragon X Elite (ARM-based) or Intel/AMD counterparts.
• RAM: 16 GB or more.
• Storage: 512 GB SSD or larger.
• Graphics: 40+ TOPS MPU.

Paul Thurrott [02:15]: "If you think back to mid-2024 and beyond, there was this set of features that these types of computers could get, right?"

Thurrott uses his Surface Laptop as an example, demonstrating how it aligns with the Copilot Plus PC specifications.

Deep Dive into Recall

Features and Functionality

Recall is one of the most controversial features introduced in Windows 11. It essentially takes snapshots (screenshots) of a user's activities on their PC, allowing for retrospective searches and analyses. Thurrott explains that Recall was initially announced in May 2024, faced delays, and was finally previewed in November 2024 for Snapdragon X-based Copilot Plus PCs. Recently, it has expanded to Intel and AMD-based systems.

Paul Thurrott [05:30]: "Recall was announced in May last year and then delayed, and then I think it was November 2024 they finally put it out in preview on Snapdragon X based Copilot Plus PCs."

Recall offers several capabilities:

• Windows Studio Effects: Enhanced video and audio editing tools.
• Live Captions with Real-Time Translations: Facilitates global communication.
• Co-Creator in Paint: Assists in image creation and editing.
• Auto SR Super Resolution in Games: Enhances gaming graphics (less impactful on Snapdragon devices).

User Interface and Usage

Thurrott navigates the Recall interface, showcasing how users can browse through their activity snapshots. The UI resembles the familiar Windows Timeline, allowing users to traverse back in time to view previous states of their work.

Paul Thurrott [10:45]: "When Recall runs, you can see this little icon down here in the tray and that just tells you it's saving snapshots."

Users can manage their snapshots through the Settings app under the Privacy and Security section, adjusting storage allocations and managing snapshot durations. Recall employs both automatic and manual filters to protect sensitive information, although Thurrott notes that in its preview state, the automatic filtering isn't fully reliable yet.

Controversial Aspects

The primary controversy surrounding Recall centers on privacy concerns. The feature continuously records user activity, which some perceive as invasive. While Microsoft has implemented filters to obscure sensitive data like Social Security numbers and credit card details, the effectiveness of these measures remains under scrutiny.

Paul Thurrott [14:20]: "Depending on how you work, you may or may not find this useful. ... but I think it's something that will benefit a lot of people."

Thurrott acknowledges that while Recall may not be essential for everyone—particularly those who are already highly organized—it holds significant potential benefits for a broader user base.

Exploring Click to Do

Integration and Functionality

Click to Do is presented as an even more promising feature compared to Recall. Unlike Recall, which operates within its dedicated app, Click to Do seamlessly integrates AI capabilities across all applications in Windows. This universality enhances its utility, making AI-driven actions accessible anywhere on the system.

Paul Thurrott [22:10]: "I think Click to Do by itself is actually even more interesting and ... it's going to benefit a lot more people in the long run."

Click to Do allows users to perform various AI-powered tasks, such as:

• Summarizing Documents: Condenses lengthy texts into concise summaries.
• Rewriting Content: Offers options to refine, formalize, or casualize written material.
• Semantic Search: Enhances search functionality by understanding the context and content more deeply.

Demonstration and Use Cases

Thurrott demonstrates Click to Do within a text editor, highlighting its ability to:

• Select Text and Images: Automatically detects and allows interaction with both textual and graphical content.
• Right-Click Actions: Provides context-specific AI actions like summarizing or rewriting selected text.
• Visual Search Integration: Utilizes Bing Visual Search to find similar images on the web.

Paul Thurrott [25:50]: "The AI tools that are built into Windows in particular click to do in this case work with everything. ... it’s just so universally available across applications. Right. Is amazing."

These capabilities extend beyond simple text manipulation, offering significant enhancements for writing, editing, and researching within any application.

Management, Privacy, and Security

Thurrott delves into the management aspects of Recall and Click to Do, emphasizing the importance of user control over these features. Users can:

• Adjust Storage Settings: Allocate and manage the disk space dedicated to storing snapshots.
• Set Retention Periods: Define how long snapshots are retained before automatic deletion.
• Apply Filters: Customize which applications or websites are excluded from recording to protect privacy.

Paul Thurrott [18:30]: "You can decide how long you want to keep these snapshots. You can go in and delete snapshots as a snapshot management capability."

Despite these controls, the inherent privacy implications of continuous monitoring raise ongoing debates about user trust and data security.

Comparison and Insights

Comparing Recall and Click to Do, Thurrott posits that Click to Do offers broader applicability and immediate utility for users across various applications. While Recall provides a historical archive of user activities, Click to Do enhances real-time interactions with AI-driven functionalities.

Paul Thurrott [20:00]: "I think these new features are going to benefit a lot more people in the long run."

He suggests that as more Copilot Plus PCs become available, the adoption of these features will grow, integrating AI more deeply into everyday computing tasks.

Future Outlook and Availability

Thurrott anticipates that the Recall and Click to Do features will become more widely available in the first half of 2025 as Microsoft rolls out updates to a broader range of PCs. He notes that while currently limited to Insider Program participants and specific hardware, the features are poised for mainstream adoption.

Paul Thurrott [35:00]: "My expectation is that Copilot Plus PCs will see these features in stable sometime in the first half of 2025. So it won't be too much longer."

He encourages listeners to consider upgrading to a Copilot Plus PC to take advantage of these innovative AI tools, highlighting the transformative potential they hold for user productivity and interaction.

Conclusion

In this episode of Hands-On Windows, Paul Thurrott provides a comprehensive exploration of Microsoft's latest AI-driven features in Windows 11. Recall offers a retrospective view of user activities through automated snapshots, raising both utility and privacy concerns. In contrast, Click to Do presents a versatile, AI-enhanced workflow applicable across all applications, promising greater usability and broader appeal.

Thurrott's analysis underscores the evolving landscape of AI integration in personal computing, emphasizing the balance between innovation and user privacy. As Microsoft continues to refine and expand these features, the future of Windows 11 looks increasingly intelligent and user-centric.

Paul Thurrott [40:45]: "I don't really need this kind of thing personally, but I do think it's something that will benefit a lot of people."

Listeners are encouraged to stay informed about these developments and consider how such advancements can enhance their computing experiences.

Note: All timestamps are approximate and based on the progression of topics within the provided transcript.