Microsoft internally considers Recall's current implementation a failure and is exploring ways to rework or rename the feature, according to a Windows Central report citing sources familiar with the company's plans.
Internal assessment: Microsoft views Recall as having "failed" in its current form
Options explored: Rework the feature entirely, possibly drop the "Recall" name
Broader context: Part of a wider AI strategy pullback on Windows 11
Copilot changes: Integrations in Notepad and Paint under review; new Copilot buttons paused
Official statement: Windows president Pavan Davuluri told The Verge that 2026 will focus on performance, reliability, and "overall experience"
The reassessment follows sustained user backlash against Microsoft's AI-first approach to Windows. Davuluri's November 2025 tweet describing Windows as an "agentic OS" drew thousands of negative replies. A problematic January 2026 update that caused boot failures, shutdown bugs, and cloud app crashes further eroded trust. Microsoft is not abandoning AI entirely: Semantic Search, Windows ML, Agentic Workspace, and developer-facing AI APIs continue, but the strategy is shifting toward background integration rather than visible UI features. The Recall concept may survive in a different form, but the brand appears damaged beyond repair.
Sources: Windows Central (via Slashdot) · TechRadar · DigiconAsia · Windows Latest
