Windows 11 could get an alternative to Recall, but AI skeptics aren't fans

Microsoft is testing an alternative to Recall in Windows 11, dubbed the Context Vault, which is an app you must manually install from the Microsoft Store. Unlike Recall, Context Vault is not built into Windows 11 and does not automatically take screenshots of your PC activity. Instead, users must manually add files or content they want the AI to access.

This allows for greater user control, but also raises privacy concerns as the AI processes data in the cloud. Microsoft is reportedly considering security measures such as encryption, per-app access controls, and requiring a Windows Hello login for access to the vault. The initial reaction to this alternative has been negative, with some users seeing it as Microsoft cramming more AI into Windows 11, while others are more open to the idea, particularly if it offers more control over what data the AI can access.

However, the overall sentiment seems to be skeptical, and it remains to be seen if Microsoft will continue developing this feature for a release version of Windows 11.