Windows 11: Preview of 24H2 available again ... without recall

Microsoft surprisingly interrupted the distribution of the Windows 11 24H2 release preview last week. The software is now available to download again - but without the controversial AI assistant Recall.

Over the course of Saturday last weekend, Microsoft once again updated the release announcement for the Windows 11 24H2 release preview. Instead of the initial version number 26100.712, the build number is now 26100.863.

Officially, Microsoft still does not give a reason why the delivery was interrupted.

Windows 11 24H2 release preview without recall

One of the previously announced features is the recall function. This regularly takes screenshots, analyzes them using AI and enables a search based on what was displayed on the computer in the past. The function was initially intended to run on Windows systems with ARM processors, so-called Copilot+ PCs. However, with a few tweaks, it could also be activated on other devices. Recall can apparently no longer be used in the newly available preview version: There is no indication of the function in the Windows settings.

The URI handler ms-recall:// is not set up in the current preview. Pressing the Windows + R key combination opens the Run dialog, in which it was also possible to call ms-recall://snapshot/? on Intel PCs. With build 26100.712 of the preview, this delivered an error message stating that "Call (preview)" could not be opened because the device did not meet the minimum requirements. Now the current preview offers to open the Microsoft Store to install a suitable app.

This fits in with Microsoft's announcement that Recall will not be generally available on June 18, as originally planned, but will only be available as a preview for registered users in the Windows Insider Program. Microsoft is yet to announce the date for this.

Shortly before this, Microsoft also announced the withdrawal of the generally available and activated Recall function. Recall is to become opt-in, i.e. only become active after users have manually switched it on. In response to ongoing criticism, Recall will also encrypt the data in future and only release it through Windows Hello authentication. Admins should also only be able to deactivate Recall through central control, but not activate it. The Redmond-based company has also renewed its promise that Recall data will always remain local and not migrate to the cloud.

Release preview to bring Windows Copilot as an app

Microsoft also published another release preview of Windows 11 at the weekend. Versions 22621.3807 and 22631.3807 are supposed to include the version of Windows Copilot as an app announced for the EU region. However, the distribution of precisely this feature has not yet begun, but is due to start shortly, as indicated by a brief update in the announcement.

(dmk)