Microsoft's groundbreaking Recall AI feature is expanding beyond Qualcomm-powered devices to include Intel and AMD processors in Windows 11. This major expansion in build 26120.2510 brings powerful AI capabilities to a wider range of PCs, revolutionizing how users interact with their digital history.

What is Recall AI?

Recall AI is Microsoft's innovative feature that creates a searchable visual timeline of everything you've seen or done on your PC. Using advanced AI processing, it:

  • Takes periodic snapshots of your screen
  • Indexes all content (text, images, apps)
  • Creates a searchable database of your digital activity
  • Works entirely locally on your device

The Processor Expansion

Originally exclusive to Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chips, Recall AI is now coming to:

Intel:
- 14th Gen Core processors (Meteor Lake)
- Future Lunar Lake chips

AMD:
- Ryzen 7040 series
- Upcoming Ryzen AI 300 series

This expansion means Recall AI will soon be available on most modern Windows 11 PCs rather than just ARM-based devices.

Technical Requirements

To use Recall AI, your system will need:

  • Windows 11 24H2 or later
  • At least 16GB RAM (recommended 32GB)
  • 256GB+ SSD storage
  • NPU (Neural Processing Unit) with 40+ TOPS performance
  • Build 26120.2510 or newer

Security Enhancements

Microsoft has addressed early privacy concerns with several security measures:

  1. Local Processing: All data stays on-device
  2. Encryption: Snapshots are encrypted at rest
  3. User Control: Can disable or pause recording
  4. App Exclusion: Specific apps can be blocked
  5. Authentication: Requires Windows Hello to access history

Performance Considerations

Early benchmarks show:

  • Qualcomm: 45 TOPS (current leader)
  • AMD: 38-50 TOPS (Ryzen AI 300 series)
  • Intel: 34-45 TOPS (Lunar Lake)

These numbers indicate all three platforms will deliver smooth Recall AI performance.

How to Enable Recall AI

Once available for your processor:

  1. Open Settings > Privacy & security > Recall
  2. Toggle "Save snapshots" on
  3. Configure storage limits (default 3 months)
  4. Set up app exclusions if needed

Potential Use Cases

Recall AI transforms how we:

  • Find forgotten documents
  • Recover lost browser tabs
  • Track research progress
  • Remember meeting details
  • Retrieve visual references

Future Developments

Microsoft plans to add:

  • Cross-device recall (with your Microsoft account)
  • Cloud backup option (opt-in)
  • Enhanced natural language search
  • Integration with Copilot

Should You Enable It?

Recall AI offers tremendous productivity benefits but requires careful consideration of:

  • Privacy preferences
  • Storage capacity
  • Battery impact (5-10% on laptops)
  • Work sensitivity

For most users, the benefits will outweigh the minimal resource costs, especially with Microsoft's robust security measures.

The Big Picture

This expansion marks a significant step in Microsoft's AI vision, bringing powerful recall capabilities to the majority of Windows 11 users rather than limiting them to ARM devices. As Intel and AMD continue improving their NPUs, we can expect even more advanced AI features coming to Windows PCs.