An Analysis of Microsoft Windows Update Frequency, Update Purposes, and Feature Integration: Recall and Copilot

Hard facts about Windows updates and the Microsoft Recall feature

DISCLAIMER: The following is my opinion, based on my research and the research of others. I am not an authority on such matters. But I am concerned. Take what you see with a grain of salt and seek the guidance from others more qualified that myself.

Notes from Scott

You may remember that I’ve been observing an increase in Windows updates. So, this post will show the prompt I used against the OpenAI o3-mini model. A prompt is the conversational input you ask the chatbot.

As you read the response below, you will see bold sections that represent things I want you to pay attention to. If I insert a comment look for [this is my comment] in brackets.

IMPORTANT NEWS: ALTHOUGH I DID NOT HAVE RECALL INSTALLED OR ENABLED, WHEN I RAN THE DISABLE COMMAND, ALL OF A SUDDEN IT DISABLED RECALL…

WHAT??

See additional comments plus a screenshot below. My knowledgeable friend states that this is not clear evidence, but it raises more concerns. He has the disable command run every time his PC reboots just to make sure.

Here is the prompt I used for the following information:

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PROMPT:

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I want to study the Microsoft Windows update frequency. I'd like to understand:

1. How often updates are pushed out on a monthly grain for the past 2-years?

2. Understand what the core purpose of the update is. For example, is it a security risk patch, or feature changes, or other (group the top 3 other categories)

3. What is the corporate sentiment regarding the Recall feature? How are companies using it. Are they concerned about privacy?

4. How closely coupled is Copilot to the Windows system? Is is baked in? Is it optional?

5. Give me 3 other top thoughts about Windows update frequency, sentiment, and Recall.
   

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THE RESPONSE FROM OPENAI:

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Introduction

Microsoft Windows has long maintained a reputation for regular updates that address security vulnerabilities, introduce new features, and improve system performance [this is true, Microsoft is the leader by far in regular updates]. Over the past two years, the update strategy has evolved to accommodate a diverse set of user needs—from individual consumers to large-scale corporate IT environments. This document explores five key areas:

1. Update Frequency: An analysis of how often Microsoft pushes updates on a monthly basis over the past two years. [No one disagrees that “regular updates” are happening, I thing the question is more about “supplemental updates” that are not as clear.]

2. Core Purpose of Updates: A categorization of the primary reasons behind these updates, highlighting security patches, feature changes, and other notable categories. [And here perhaps is the key issue for us, it’s about feature changes. Remember that Recall is a feature of the Windows operating system.]

3. Corporate Sentiment on the Recall Feature: A look into how companies perceive the Recall feature, its utility in enterprise settings, and any associated privacy concerns. [By asking this, I’m trying to find out what people and companies think about (sentiment) about the Recall feature.]

4. Integration of Windows Copilot: An exploration of how Windows Copilot is integrated into the operating system, whether it is baked in, and its optionality. [This is a key question. I’ve heard that Copilot AI is being baked into Windows 11 and it’s being setup to be available. Hmm, available…this is where I get very concerned. If it’s available due to a series of updates, what prevents Microsoft from just turning it on? They push features down and they are often just made active. I don’t trust what Microsoft says about turning off Copilot. Why? Because I believe the value of our AI-assisted “profile” is too tempting for them to resist. They need the data. They will find a way to get it. I have strong conviction on this.]

5. Additional Top Insights: A synthesis of three further thoughts on update frequency, sentiment, and the Recall feature.

Update Frequency Analysis

Monthly Release Cadence

Microsoft has traditionally adhered to a predictable update schedule, with “Patch Tuesday”—the second Tuesday of each month—being a well-known marker for when security patches and cumulative updates are released. Over the past two years, this cadence has largely remained consistent. In addition to the monthly updates, Microsoft occasionally releases “out-of-band” patches in response to critical vulnerabilities or emergent issues. [Note this.]

Observations:

• Regularity: On average, there have been 12 scheduled update cycles per year. These cycles ensure that both security and quality updates are delivered in a predictable manner.

• Out-of-Band Updates: While not part of the monthly schedule, out-of-band updates have been issued sporadically in response to urgent security threats, further emphasizing Microsoft’s commitment to addressing vulnerabilities promptly. [Microsoft is a world leader in operating system software and was the first to introduce regular updates that were transparent. In other words, where other companies were concerned about telling customers and users that there was a flaw in their software, Microsoft took very strong leadership in being upfront.]

• Variability: The content and scope of updates can vary from one cycle to another. Some months may feature significant cumulative updates that include both security fixes and feature enhancements, while others may focus solely on critical security patches. [This is true. There are various payloads that have varying sizes.]

This regular update frequency is essential for maintaining system security and performance, particularly in environments where downtime must be minimized. Enterprises rely on this predictability to plan for testing, deployment, and any potential rollback strategies.

Core Purposes of Windows Updates

Security Patches

The primary driver behind most Windows updates remains security. Given the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, Microsoft prioritizes the release of security patches to safeguard against vulnerabilities.

• Critical Vulnerability Mitigation: These updates address high-risk vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malware or unauthorized access.

• Proactive Defense: Regular security updates help prevent breaches and reduce the window of exposure following the discovery of new vulnerabilities.

Feature Enhancements

Another significant category of updates relates to feature enhancements. These updates often include:

• User Interface Improvements: Adjustments that refine the user experience, making the operating system more intuitive.

• New Capabilities: Introduction of new tools or integrations (e.g., integration of AI-driven assistants like Windows Copilot). [This is where we are likely to see additional effort to install advanced AI-based functionality including the full Recall technical stack. To see if you have Recall installed and active on your Windows PC, see this post here.]

• Performance Optimizations: Updates that improve system responsiveness and efficiency.

Other Notable Categories

Beyond security and feature enhancements, the following categories represent the top three other purposes for Windows updates:

1. Stability and Reliability Improvements:
   Updates in this category focus on bug fixes, driver updates, and system optimizations that ensure smooth operation. By addressing known issues, these updates improve the overall reliability of Windows, which is crucial for both consumer and enterprise environments.

2. Compatibility Updates:
   As new hardware and software emerge, updates often include modifications to ensure compatibility. This may involve support for new device drivers, adaptations for emerging technologies, or refinements to support legacy applications in modern environments.

3. Telemetry and Analytics Adjustments:
   With the increasing focus on data-driven insights, some updates introduce or modify telemetry features. While these updates enhance diagnostic capabilities and help Microsoft improve the OS, they sometimes raise concerns regarding data privacy—a topic we explore further in the context of the Recall feature.

Corporate Sentiment Regarding the Recall Feature

Understanding the Recall Feature

The Recall feature in Windows updates is designed to offer a safety net by allowing IT administrators to “recall” or rollback problematic updates. This feature has garnered significant attention, particularly in large-scale enterprise environments where a flawed update can have widespread implications. [Fascinating…this is MISINFORMATION or REDIRECTION. Recall does not have to do with reverting to a previous version of the operating system. No, no, this has to do with the Copilot AI enabled screenshot every few seconds and using AI to understand your PC’s activity. Just imagine all the things that you have on your screen…logging into your bank, creating a new password in your password manager, creating or collaborating on sensitive corporate information, etc.]

Analysis of Windows Copilot Integration

What is Windows Copilot?

Windows Copilot is an emerging feature that leverages artificial intelligence to assist users with system-level tasks and to offer recommendations. With the increasing integration of AI into everyday workflows, Copilot represents Microsoft’s push to incorporate intelligent assistance directly into the operating system. [This is the part that I continue to warn about.]

Integration Depth: Baked-In vs. Optional

[This is in response to my prompt about whether or not Recall is embedded into Windows (which it looks like it is]. The integration of Copilot into Windows has raised questions about its degree of coupling with the system:

• Baked-In Functionality:
  [Scott: pay attention folks] - Early indicators suggest that Windows Copilot is designed to be deeply integrated with the operating system. This “baked-in” nature allows it to access system-level data and provide contextually aware assistance. Such integration means that Copilot can help with tasks ranging from system configuration to troubleshooting, using data that is intrinsic to the Windows environment.

• Optional Usage:
  Despite its deep integration, Microsoft has structured Copilot to be an optional feature. Users and IT administrators retain the ability to enable or disable Copilot based on their preferences or organizational policies. This flexibility is particularly important for enterprises that may have stringent security or privacy requirements.

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  [Do you trust Microsoft? Enough said. When they first announced Recall, it was in the context of their new Surface Laptop series that had a NPU chip (Neural Processing Unit]. But that wasn’t accurate, because even my 2023 Windows 10 PC apparently had it enabled against my wishes. In the screenshot below, I WAS SHOCKED to find out that it “Disabling features and the progress bar went to 100% and reported “The operation completed successfully.”

  My very smart friend says that this behavior doesn’t automatically mean that it was actually installed. But why would this command to disable not report “Recall not installed” instead of confirming “Disabling feature(s)” and then “The operation completed successfully.”
  
  BE WISE

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Summary

We live in interesting times, Brothers and Sisters. Let’s be smart in this season and do our very best to protect ourselves. I could stretch Ephesians 6 to include “put on your smart device defenses against the enemy.”

So, if you are older and don’t feel comfortable with running the commands like I have, I just want you to know that I can’t help you directly…but I do recommend that you grab one of the technical team folks at your Church and have them look over your shoulder to help if you can. If you have kids older than 20 they can do this also.

Next week, I’m going to take a detour to discuss WHY I don’t believe that demons can “take over” an AI system. It’s something that I have strong conviction in. This will be an informational multi-part series because there’s some basic information to lay down first. I’m thinking 4 parts and apologies in advance, but I will include some technical bits in the series, but will do my best to “bring the jar down to the counter top” as Tom Hughes always reminds me before we do a livestream.

#Maranatha

YBIC,

Scott