By the TraceMind team
TraceMind vs Microsoft Recall
Windows 11 (Copilot+ PC) feature that captures OS-level screenshots and uses AI to search your desktop activity.
https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2024/05/20/introducing-copilot-pcs/
Verdict: choose TraceMind if you want browser-only recall on any OS with a clear, narrow scope; choose Microsoft Recall if you want system-wide desktop capture and own a Windows 11 Copilot+ PC.
Best for
- →Browsing recall without recording your whole desktop: TraceMind
- →System-wide capture across every app: Microsoft Recall
- →Cross-browser use beyond Windows-only hardware: TraceMind
TL;DR
Recall captures your whole Windows desktop once you opt in. TraceMind focuses on browser history only, staying lighter, cross-browser, and private without OS-level scope.
What is Microsoft Recall?
Microsoft Recall ships on Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs. Once you opt in, it continuously screenshots your desktop and uses on-device AI to make it searchable.
After the 2024 security backlash, Microsoft rebuilt it and relaunched in late 2025: it is now off by default (opt-in), requires Windows Hello biometrics to enable and to view your timeline, and stores snapshots encrypted inside a VBS enclave. It remains Windows-only and captures non-browser apps once enabled.
What is TraceMind?
TraceMind indexes supported pages it can access and capture. Excluded domains, unsupported browser pages, private browsing, and failed captures are not guaranteed.
Core capture, indexing, storage, search, screenshots, and analytics run locally on your device. Optional Pro Chat sends your question, prior turns in the current chat, and selected matching excerpts, titles, and URLs directly to the AI provider you choose with your own API key. TraceMind does not proxy or store those requests.
Privacy & Data Storage
| Aspect | TraceMind | Alternative | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | Browser-only, user-triggered install | System-wide capture once you opt in | TraceMind |
| Where your data lives | Local (optional Pro passphrase encryption) | Local; snapshots encrypted in a VBS enclave | Tie |
| Access control | No account; encrypted backups optional | Windows Hello biometrics required to enable and view | Depends |
| Platform | Cross-browser on any OS with Chromium | Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs only | TraceMind |
Search Capabilities
| Aspect | TraceMind | Alternative | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search scope | Web pages + screenshots | Entire desktop screenshots | Depends |
| Search type | AI semantic + keyword | AI semantic + OCR | Tie |
| Controls | Excluded domains, retention, similarity slider | App/website exclusions; DRM and private browsing skipped automatically | Tie |
| Performance | Lightweight browser extension | High storage/CPU for constant capture | TraceMind |
Features & Controls
| Aspect | TraceMind | Alternative | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screenshots | Yes (pages you visit) | Yes (entire desktop) | Depends |
| Offline | Works offline | Works offline on-device | Tie |
| Cross-browser | Chrome, Brave, Edge, Opera, Vivaldi | Windows only | TraceMind |
| Setup risk | User-installed, narrow scope | Opt-in, but system-wide once enabled; needs eligible hardware | TraceMind |
Pricing
| Plan | TraceMind | Microsoft Recall |
|---|---|---|
| Free | No TraceMind page cap; captured history defaults to keep forever and can be shortened. Browser and device storage capacity still applies. | Included with Copilot+ PCs |
| Paid | $5/mo or $50/yr | No paid tier; hardware requirement |
Integrations
Recall is built into Windows; no app integrations. TraceMind focuses on browser history without touching other apps.
Ease of Use
TraceMind installs like any extension with clear controls. Recall requires an eligible Copilot+ PC, Windows Hello biometric enrollment, and an explicit opt-in before it records anything.
Which should you choose?
Choose TraceMind if you…
- ✓You want browsing memory without recording your entire desktop
- ✓You need cross-browser support beyond Windows-only hardware
- ✓You prioritize lightweight indexing with clear privacy boundaries
Choose Microsoft Recall if you…
- •You want system-wide capture beyond the browser
- •You already own a Copilot+ PC and are comfortable opting in to desktop-level logging
Verdict
For safe, focused browsing recall, TraceMind is the lighter, cross-platform choice. The rebuilt Recall is far more privacy-conscious than its 2024 preview (opt-in, Windows Hello, enclave-encrypted snapshots), but it is still Windows-only, hardware-gated, and desktop-wide once enabled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does TraceMind record my screen?
No. TraceMind only indexes web pages you visit, plus optional screenshots of those pages. It does not capture your desktop or apps.
Is Microsoft Recall on by default now?
No. After the 2024 backlash Microsoft rebuilt Recall and relaunched it in late 2025 as opt-in: it is off until you enable it, requires Windows Hello biometrics, and stores snapshots encrypted in a VBS enclave. TraceMind is narrower by design: browser pages only, on any OS that runs a Chromium browser.
Can I use both?
Yes. If you opt in to Recall, review its app and website exclusions. TraceMind remains the private, browser-only layer for refinding web pages.
Explore other comparisons
🎯 Direct browser history/memory tool
🖥️ OS-level recall tool
📚 Adjacent (bookmarking/PKM)
Try the option that stays on your device
Free includes core AI search. No TraceMind page cap; browser and device storage capacity still applies. No account is needed for Free.
Install TraceMind free