Windows screen snapshots and local history
What Windows Recall snapshots can retain
Recall can retain searchable screen snapshots on qualifying Copilot+ PCs after opt-in. Local storage, filtering, temporary pauses and chosen sharing actions have different scopes.
Sources checked .
Recall is an optional screen-history feature
Microsoft describes Recall as a Windows 11 preview for qualifying Copilot+ PCs. Saving requires opt-in. Afterward, snapshots of the active screen are taken periodically as content changes. Its requirements include device encryption and Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security with a biometric option. Microsoft: Recall requirements, pause and reset limits
Snapshot storage is local and protected
Microsoft says snapshots and associated data are stored and analyzed locally, with encryption and Windows Hello authentication. They are not shared with other Windows users on the device. This is the provider's described architecture, not an independent security audit. Microsoft: opt-in local snapshots and separate network activity
Local snapshots do not mean every operation is offline
Microsoft separately describes diagnostics governed by privacy settings, occasional retrieval of website icons or metadata, and feedback that sends Recall data, including attached screenshots. Keep these separate from routine snapshot storage. Microsoft: opt-in local snapshots and separate network activity
Browser support determines the available filtering
Microsoft lists Edge, Firefox, Opera and Chrome for website and private-browsing filters. Other Chromium browsers from version 124 support private-browsing filtering but not named-website filters. Filtering foreground website content can leave embedded content, tab names or history entries visible elsewhere in snapshots. Microsoft: supported browsers and filter exceptions
Sensitive-information filtering targets documented categories
Microsoft lists detection categories including passwords, payment-card numbers and several government or banking identifiers. Read those categories before relying on the filter for particular content; the list is not a description of every kind of personal information. Microsoft: documented sensitive-information categories
The snapshot store has space and age controls
Microsoft describes configurable storage limits that remove the oldest snapshots first. A separate duration setting offers 30, 60, 90 or 180 days, or unlimited. Without an age limit, snapshots are kept until the space limit requires removal of older ones. Microsoft: snapshot storage, age limits and deletion choices
A chosen action can hand content to another service
Microsoft says Click to Do analyzes snapshots locally. Chosen actions such as web search or Bing visual search send selected content to an online provider. Ask Copilot can hand selected content to Copilot. Features vary by region and language. Microsoft: Click to Do local analysis and chosen handoffs
Organization policy and user consent have separate roles
Microsoft says Recall is removed by default on managed devices. Administrators can allow its availability and set qualifying policies, but cannot independently opt a user into saving snapshots. Some storage and filter policies apply only to Enterprise and Education editions. Microsoft: managed-device consent, policies and regional export scope
Questions and answers
Does a Recall website filter stop website or network tracking?
Microsoft says filtering snapshots does not prevent separate website, browser, organization or network observation. Microsoft: supported browsers and filter exceptions
Does a pause last indefinitely?
Microsoft says Pause until tomorrow automatically resumes snapshots at midnight. Microsoft: Recall requirements, pause and reset limits
Does resetting Recall remove every copy previously shared?
Microsoft says reset leaves previously exported or third-party-saved copies outside its deletion. Microsoft: Recall requirements, pause and reset limits
Sources and scope
Current public Microsoft Windows 11 Recall preview documentation checked 10-24-2026. Scope is qualifying Copilot+ hardware and applicable regional, browser and managed-device support. Provider security and storage descriptions are attributed, not independently audited guarantees.
- Click to Do in Recall: do more with what is on your screen. Checked 10-24-2026.
- Filtering apps, websites, and sensitive information in Recall. Checked 10-24-2026.
- Manage Recall. Checked 10-24-2026.
- Retrace your steps with Recall. Checked 10-24-2026.
- Privacy and control over your Recall experience. Checked 10-24-2026.
- Reference for sensitive information filtering in Recall. Checked 10-24-2026.
- Manage your Recall snapshots and disk space. Checked 10-24-2026.