- Windows Recall is only available for Copilot+ PCs.
- Older PCs without an NPU won’t be able to run the Recall AI feature.
UPDATED 10/9/2024: Windows Recall is perhaps one of the biggest new features in Windows 11 24H2, but there appears to be some confusion about which computers will be getting the feature.
I’ve been getting many questions about whether the current system will support the AI feature from those who want to use it. However, I’ve also been asked whether version 24H2 will install and enable Windows Recall automatically, as many people have privacy concerns about the feature.
In this guide, I’ll explain which devices are getting the new Recall AI features and which ones won’t after installing Windows 11 24H2.
Windows Recall requirements for Copilot+ PC
The Recall AI feature is exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, which Microsoft defines as a new computer category with these hardware requirements:
- Processor: ARM or x 86 CPU with NPU with more than 40 TOPS.
- Memory: 16GB or more.
- Storage: 256GB of SSD or more.
- Security: TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0.
In addition, if you want to turn on Windows Recall, you will have to enable encryption with BitLocker or Device Encryption for Windows 11 Pro and Home. This feature will require virtualization-based security and hypervisor-enforced code integrity (Memory integrity) as well as measured boots, system guard secure launches, and Kernel DMA Protection.
As part of the supported processors, Recall will be available for the Qualcomm Snapdragon X series, AMD Ryzen AI 300 (up to 50 TOPS), and Intel Core Ultra 200v series (up to 120 TOPS).
TOPS stands for “Tera Operations Per Second,” and it’s a metric used to measure the performance of Neural Processing Units (NPUs). It essentially tells you how many trillion mathematical operations an NPU can perform in a single second.
The first wave of the Copilot+ PCs will be available on June 18, 2024, some of which include:
- Surface Pro (11th Edition).
- Surface Laptop (7th Edition).
- Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge.
- DELL Inspiron 14 Plus.
- DELL XPS 13.
- Acer Swift 14 AI.
- Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x.
- ASUS Vivobook S 15.
- HP OmniBook X 14.
Currently, Windows Recall works on ARM64-based devices, but it will eventually become available for the x86 architecture as AMD and Intel plan to release chips with integrated NPU.
Older PCs won’t get Windows Recall
At least initially, not only Windows Recall but also most AI features coming to Windows 11 24H2 will be exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, which means that existing devices running older releases of the operating system won’t support AI features once upgraded to the next version.
It’s important to note that (at least at this time) there isn’t an upgrade path to convert your existing computer into a Copilot+ PC. You’ll have to buy one of the new devices if you want one.
If you’re planning to purchase a new laptop in the coming months and are concerned about the Windows Recall feature because of the chatter about privacy and security issues, it’s important to understand that the feature is optional and will not be enabled by default.
Windows 11 may prompt you to set it up, but it’s up to you to enable Windows Recall manually through the Settings app.
If it’s enabled, you will notice the Recall icon in the System Tray of the Taskbar, which you can’t hide or remove to let you know that the feature is running. This is similar to how your phone tells you that the camera is open with the green dot on the screen.
In the rare case that the feature is enabled, you can disable Windows Recall with these instructions.
Windows Recall release date (preview)
It’s important to note that Microsoft has postponed the rollout of Windows Recall as part of Windows 11 24H2 for Copilt+ PCs as the company needs more time to test and implement the new security enhancements. Now, the company plans to release the first official preview of the features of ARM-based Copilot+ PCs in October, and in November, the preview will arrive for AMD and Intel-based Copilot+ PCs. Of course, regardless of the hardware platform, you will have to enroll the computer in the Windows Insider Program.
Update October 9, 2024: This page has been updated to ensure accuracy and include the latest information.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].