Microsoft is enhancing its Copilot Plus PCs with new AI-driven tools, including contextual shortcuts and improved search functionality, through its April 2025 Windows nonsecurity preview update. The update also makes the controversial Recall feature available in preview to users.
New AI Features in Windows
The Recall feature, initially unveiled last May, acts like a “time machine” for Windows users, allowing them to search for previously displayed content on their screen using keywords. Despite initial privacy concerns that delayed its rollout, the feature is now accessible to Copilot Plus PC users in preview.
Microsoft is also improving Windows search by enabling users to describe what they’re looking for using natural language, rather than relying on specific file names or words. The new Click to Do feature provides shortcuts for actions like summarizing, rewriting, or copying text or images, making it easier to navigate between tasks.
These updates are part of a broader effort by Microsoft and other tech companies to stand out in a competitive market by offering new AI-powered features. However, the rollout of these features is not without challenges, particularly regarding security and privacy concerns associated with generative AI.
Regulatory Impact on Feature Rollouts
Not all features will be available globally at once, with the EU notably absent from the initial rollout. Eric Abbruzzese, director with ABI Research, suggests this is due to regulatory and privacy laws influencing feature rollouts, a trend expected to continue as companies develop more powerful but potentially intrusive products like Recall.
The expansion of Copilot Plus PCs is gaining traction, with Microsoft reporting that 15% of premium-priced laptops sold in the US during the holiday shopping period were Copilot Plus PCs. As Microsoft continues to enhance its AI capabilities, it remains to be seen how these features will be received by users and regulators alike.
