Microsoft will release its controversial Recall artificial intelligence search feature for Windows users to test beginning in October, the company confirmed in an updated blog post on Monday.

Recall takes screenshots of activity on Windows run computer screens so people can later search their machine for specific information.

"As previously shared on June 13, we have adjusted our release approach to leverage the valuable expertise of our Windows Insider community prior to making Recall available for all Copilot+ PCs," Pavan Davuluri, corporate vice president of Windows and Devices, wrote in a blog post. "Security continues to be our top priority and when Recall is available for Windows Insiders in October we will publish a blog with more details."

When Microsoft initially announced Recall in June, security researchers expressed concerns about the risks of Windows automatically capturing images, without users opting in. independent researchers released open-source software showing how personal information might become easily accessible to hackers and attackers.

Microsoft explained how Recall stores encrypted snapshots locally on a person’s computer. Other technology can already do this, but the tech based on AI does not store the information in the cloud and does not give Microsoft access to the files. The feature is in the company’s forthcoming Copilot+ PCs.

But those focused on privacy have called Recall a potential "privacy nightmare."

Microsoft in June said Recall would be turned off by default, and committed to security enhancements for the feature before releasing it.

Some report that with Windows Recall entering its preview phase in October, users are unlikely to see the service in production with Copilot+ PCs until sometime in 2025.