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ChatGPT Computer History: what the new opt-in feature does

ChatGPT's macOS desktop app now has an opt-in Computer History feature. It builds a timeline from activity events and lets users exclude apps or websites.
Aug 17, 2026路2 min read
ChatGPT Computer History: what the new opt-in feature does

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Key takeaways

  • ChatGPT's macOS desktop app has a new opt-in Computer History feature.
  • The feature uses activity events to build a timeline that ChatGPT and Codex can reference.
  • Users can exclude apps and websites, and they can delete entries.
  • OpenAI says the feature does not capture images, videos, or audio.
  • The source gives no Morocco-specific rollout or legal detail.

What the feature does

The source says ChatGPT's macOS desktop app now includes a new opt-in Computer History feature. It uses activity events to build a timeline. ChatGPT and Codex can reference that timeline later.

This is a memory-style feature for desktop work. It is not described as a full screen recorder. The source says OpenAI says it does not capture images, videos, or audio for this feature.

What users can control

The article says users can exclude apps and websites. It also says users can delete entries. Those controls matter because they let people limit what appears in the timeline.

The feature is opt-in, so it does not turn on by default, based on the source. That makes consent part of the design. It also means teams should check settings before relying on it.

Why this matters for desktop AI assistants

Computer History shows how desktop AI tools can become more context-aware. Instead of asking users to repeat what they did, the assistant can reference prior activity events. That can make follow-up work faster.

At the same time, more context can create more privacy questions. Even when a feature avoids images, video, and audio, activity logs can still feel sensitive. The source does not describe retention rules beyond deletion by users, so that detail remains unknown.

Operational considerations

Teams that use desktop AI assistants should review what the tool records and what it excludes. They should also check whether users can remove entries when needed. Those are practical controls, not just privacy settings.

It is also sensible to separate convenience from necessity. A feature that helps an assistant remember past work may be useful, but it should only be enabled when the user wants that tradeoff. The source supports that general caution, but it does not provide a broader policy framework.

Morocco relevance

The source reports no Morocco-specific rollout, legal status, or data-residency claim. For readers in any market, the global lesson is simple: review opt-in settings, exclusions, and deletion controls before adopting desktop AI assistants.

Bottom line

ChatGPT's Computer History feature is about context, not just chat. It turns activity events into a timeline that the assistant can reference. That may improve continuity across tasks.

The same design also raises familiar privacy questions. The source says users can exclude apps and websites, delete entries, and avoid image, video, and audio capture. Those controls are the main facts available here, and they should guide any evaluation of the feature.

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