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Developers created a better and safer alternative to Windows Recall called OpenRecall
OpenRecall works locally, but without Copilot+
3 min. read
Published onJune 7, 2024
published onJune 7, 2024
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If you follow the recent tech news, you certainly know about the wholeWindows Recall privacy issues saga. It seems that Microsoft also reacted in aninterview about this, reminding us about the benefits of this feature. However, there is no firm decision about any impending changes to this important Copilot+ tool.
In another effort to show that Recall could be designed better to secure your privacy, a developer named Koen van Eijk posted hisproject on GitHub called OpenRecall, an open-source tool that has attracted interest from people who are looking for safer methods to handle their digital pasts.
Why OpenRecall might be better than Windows Recall?
OpenRecall, in contrast to Microsoft’s version, functions directly on your device. This eliminates the need for top-quality, Copilot+ approved hardware that could be a hindrance for some users. It is a welcome relief for people like us who do not possess the most recent and advanced technology but still desire to monitor their digital trail. And it’s not only for Windows, but also macOS and Linux.
Now, if you try OpenRecall, you will probably find it very useful. This tool lets you save screenshots and look them back up, use sliders to shift between images, plus find things in the screenshots with a search feature. But there is one thing to know: it may not be the most attractive tool. Access is done through a browser app, and you will find yourself going to a local server for using it. It does not have a very high-tech look, but it works.
The people who made OpenRecall are happy about how it can save your digital past with frequent pictures. This method is very different from Recall’s more invasive way, which has drawn attention from security professionals. Recall by Microsoft has been criticized because it could have some security weaknesses, so the less intrusive process of OpenRecall becomes even more attractive.
Microsoft has tried to justify Recall, asserting that users can decide what gets recorded and saved. They say you have the ability to turn off, stop or remove the feature whenever required. But doubt persists even so, and it is evident that until these security worries are completely tackled many will be searching for options such as OpenRecall.
Therefore, if you want a safer solution to handle your digital past, OpenRecall could be worth considering. It isn’t perfect but for people like us who value safety more than looks; this is a good option. Who knows, maybe this is the start of a change towards more secure and easy-to-use digital tools.
More about the topics:Copilot,windows recall
Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, Claudiu is focused on whatever comes new from Microsoft.
His abrupt interest in computers started when he saw the first Home Computer as a kid. However, his passion for Windows and everything related became obvious when he became a sys admin in a computer science high school.
With 14 years of experience in writing about everything there is to know about science and technology, Claudiu also likes rock music, chilling in the garden, and Star Wars. May the force be with you, always!
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Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, with 14 years of experience in writing on everything there is to know about science, technology, and Microsoft
