Microsoft Expands AI-Powered Features for Copilot+ PCs
After facing several delays, Microsoft is finally releasing its highly anticipated AI-powered features for Copilot+ PCs on a broader scale. This move is part of Microsoft’s vision to revolutionize Windows by integrating artificial intelligence into its core functionality.
The rollout of these features is set to commence over the next month through the April 2025 Windows non-security preview update, as announced by the company in a recent blog post.
Among the key features included in this update is Recall (in preview), a feature that enables users to visually navigate through a timeline of their past activities, such as apps, websites, and documents, or search for specific content using natural language.
Additionally, the update introduces enhancements to Windows Search, making it easier for users to locate files and settings without needing to recall exact names. Users will also have access to new “Click to Do” shortcuts that provide quick actions like summarizing, copying, or editing on-screen content.
It’s important to note that these features are exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, a specialized category of Windows devices equipped with neural processing units (NPUs) optimized for local AI model processing.
The rollout of the Recall feature was initially delayed due to privacy and security concerns raised by security experts. In response, Microsoft made Recall an opt-in experience and implemented stronger privacy controls to address these issues. The company assures users that data is stored and processed locally, without being sent to the cloud or shared with Microsoft.
Recall was first introduced in preview to Windows Insiders in November 2024, and its broader rollout to all Copilot+ PC users was announced recently.
According to Microsoft, during the 2024 holiday quarter, 15% of premium laptops sold in the U.S. were Copilot+ PCs. The company predicts that the majority of PC sales in the coming years will shift towards the Copilot+ category.
In a separate report by the tech newsletter Newcomer, it was noted that Microsoft’s Copilot consumer AI chatbot has plateaued at around 20 million weekly users, while OpenAI’s ChatGPT has experienced significant growth with 400 million weekly users. This highlights the challenges faced by Microsoft’s AI CEO, Mustafa Suleyman, in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
