Microsoft has delayed the rollout of its Recall feature for Copilot Plus PCs once again, now set for preview with Windows Insiders in December. Initially planned for October, Recall aims to create comprehensive screenshots of user activity but has faced multiple delays due to security concerns. Brandon LeBlanc, the senior product manager for Windows, emphasized the need for additional time to ensure a secure user experience. Recall will be an opt-in feature, allowing users to uninstall it entirely, and aims to enhance the privacy of its database through encryption and authentication via Windows Hello. This marks yet another setback for Microsoft, which has been working to address security issues since the feature was first scheduled for launch in June.
Microsoft has announced that consumers will have the option to purchase an additional year of Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 for $30, following the operating system’s end of support on October 14, 2025. This marks the first time consumers can access this service, while businesses will be charged $61 for the first year, with subsequent years costing $122 and $244, respectively. Microsoft emphasizes the importance of upgrading to Windows 11, which is only compatible with CPUs released from 2018 onward, as many existing PCs may not meet the stricter hardware requirements. Despite this push, Windows 10 continues to see strong usage, with an increase in upgrades noted among users. In August, Windows 11 briefly became the most popular operating system for PC gaming among Steam users, according to a survey by Steam, before dropping back behind Windows 10. Microsoft has also reopened its beta program for Windows 10, offering new features and improvements despite its prior announcement of halting major updates.
The delays in Recall signal that privacy compliance will remain a prominent issue for AI-driven productivity tools, requiring ongoing vigilance from IT services that manage such features for clients.
This ESU program could generate additional support opportunities for Windows 10 and 11. IT teams will need to assess the financial viability of continued support for Windows 10 versus early upgrade planning for clients. This also opens up a market for device assessments and upgrade planning services, as many PCs on Windows 10 may need hardware refreshes to become Windows 11-compatible.