Some users might be wondering about the differences between Windows Copilot and Recall, considering both are AI-powered features designed to enhance user productivity on the operating system.
Although both features aim to improve the user experience, they have different purposes and functionalities.
Windows 11 Recall vs. Microsoft Copilot
As Windows 11 continues to evolve, it introduces innovative AI features that enhance our computing experience. Two such features are Recall and Copilot, each serving distinct purposes. Let’s delve into their differences:
Recall
Recall is a timeline feature supported by several AI models that act as a photographic memory. This allows users to search and find almost anything they have done on the device, including documents, apps, web activity, messages, and more.
To explain how it works, Recall takes snapshots approximately every five seconds after the previous capture whenever something happens on the screen. Recall then stores the data locally in the new “Windows Semantic Index” and runs several on-device AI models, part of the new Windows Copilot Runtime, such as Screen Region Detector, Optical Character Recognizer, Natural Language Parser, and Image Encoder to detect images, videos, audio, and more. This makes the generated information available through simple searches using natural language.
Unlike Microsoft Copilot, Recall performs its processes entirely offline within the device. Nothing is uploaded to the cloud or Microsoft servers, and the feature does not require an internet connection at all. Additionally, Recall is reportedly an exclusive feature for Copilot+ PCs, which require a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor with an NPU (Neural Processing Unit), a minimum of 16 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB SSD.
- Recall is an exclusive feature available in Windows 11 24H2, specifically designed for Copilot Plus PCs.
- These high-performance PCs require a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor with an NPU (Neural Processing Unit), a minimum of 16GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD.
- What does Recall do? It acts as your digital photographic memory, capturing snapshots of your screen at regular intervals (approximately every five seconds).
- These snapshots are stored locally in the new “Windows Semantic Index.”
- The system employs several on-device AI models (part of the “Windows Copilot Runtime”) to analyze the snapshots. These models include the Screen Region Detector, Optical Character Recognizer, Natural Language Parser, Image Encoder, and more.
- With Recall, you can search for virtually anything you’ve done on your computer, including documents, images, websites, messages, emails, and apps.
- The beauty of Recall lies in its privacy-conscious approach—nothing gets uploaded to the cloud for processing, ensuring your data remains secure.
Microsoft Copilot
Let’s start with Microsoft Copilot. Copilot is a digital assistant designed to help users with almost anything, utilizing AI developed to provide human-like chat and conversation experiences for answering a wide range of questions.
Additionally, Copilot can perform various tasks such as changing system settings, providing instructions for specific configurations, giving more information about a feature, and more. Recently, Copilot can even analyze and respond to images using the DALL-E model from OpenAI.
Because it relies on broader functionalities, Copilot connects to Microsoft servers to access AI infrastructure for processing user queries more accurately. It’s also worth noting that Copilot can be accessed from any Windows 10 or 11 device without any special requirements.
- Copilot, on the other hand, is a versatile digital assistant designed to assist you with a wide range of tasks.
- It provides a human-like conversational experience, answering questions and helping you navigate various topics.
- Copilot is not limited to search or retrieval; it can assist with virtually anything you need.
- Whether you’re looking for information, troubleshooting, or creative inspiration, Copilot has your back.
Conclusion
In summary, Recall and Copilot are two distinct features with different purposes. Recall is a timeline feature that allows users to revisit the past to find anything they have done, while Copilot is a digital assistant providing conversational AI experiences.
Hopefully, this clarifies the differences between Recall and Copilot.
