Microsoft’s Pantheon AI tool available in hidden store listing

Microsoft has not officially announced its AI tool Pantheon, but it is already available for download on the Microsoft Store through a hidden listing that cannot be found by searching. This suggests the tool is in a testing or limited release phase.

Gareth Smith tests Pantheon’s features

Gareth Smith, a contributor to the website Windows Latest, tested the application over the summer and shared his findings in an article published on October 22. He used a version of the tool called Context Vault, which allows users to manually record and organize various types of digital content.

Pantheon’s AI functionality and integration

In the tested version, users can record web pages, files, screenshots, copied text, audio, or video, which are stored as "memories" in collections. They can then query an AI about these memories. The application can also share these memories with other AI tools like Claude or Cursor through the MCP, an open data-sharing protocol.

Pantheon differs from Recall

Pantheon contrasts with Recall, another AI feature that automatically captures screenshots at regular intervals. Recall only works on Copilot+ PCs, a category Microsoft has since discontinued. Recall was criticized for privacy concerns and was delayed before its eventual release in April 2025.

Pantheon’s technical requirements and limitations

Unlike Recall, Pantheon does not require a dedicated AI chip called an NPU. It stores only the data provided by users and runs separately from the operating system, using cloud-based AI models. However, users must manually back up their data, as there is no automatic backup feature.

Microsoft remains cautious about Pantheon’s future

Microsoft has not confirmed plans to officially release Pantheon, and the timing of its potential launch is uncertain. The company recently announced it will remove eight Copilot features from File Explorer in mid-November, possibly signaling a shift in its AI strategy. Plans for additional security features like encryption or user consent controls are under consideration but not confirmed.