Microsoft tests Context Vault, a manual alternative to Recall in Windows 11
Microsoft tests Context Vault, a manual alternative to Recall in Windows 11, drawing skepticism.
The app, part of a project codenamed Pantheon, is not built into Windows 11 but must be installed from the Microsoft Store. Unlike Recall, which regularly captures snapshots of PC activity, Context Vault does not automatically record anything. Users must manually add files, images, web pages, or clipboard text to the vault for the AI to use.
Once content is added, users can ask the AI questions about the vault's contents or have it organize material—for example, planning a summer trip using documents and images saved to the vault, according to the report. The app can leverage cloud-based AI, so it does not require a Copilot+ PC with a powerful local neural processing unit (NPU). Users can also give third-party AI models like Claude access to the vault's content, and the current build includes a panel to track AI token usage.
The app is still an early version and is not officially listed in the Microsoft Store, and it is unclear whether Microsoft will release it. TechRadar reported that Microsoft is considering security measures such as encryption, per-app access controls, and requiring a Windows Hello login to protect the vault.
Reaction to the app in testing has been generally skeptical. On Reddit, some users criticized it as "yet more AI" crammed into Windows 11. One commenter called it "solving [a] problem [that] doesn't exist," while another said the need for such a tool never arose because bookmarks and documents already solved it. However, some Recall users defended the concept, with one saying Recall has been a "gamechanger" and wishing it synced across devices.
TechRadar noted that the anti-Recall sentiment is unlikely to be swayed by a different take on the same concept, even with the manual control. The app might appeal to users who prefer explicit control over what data is stored, but those users are less likely to comment on early testing. The report concluded that Context Vault is an alternative worth trying for Microsoft, provided it is implemented securely.