The dedicated Copilot key, announced at the start of 2024 is being partly phased out by the end of the same year!
The Copilot key is on some new computers and is supposed to start the Copilot Windows app directly.
At least that was the idea in January 2024 when the Copilot key was announced on laptops from Acer and Lenovo.
Fast forward 11 months and Microsoft has changed their mind about the Copilot key.
The Copilot app is changing from a Progressive Web App (PWA), essentially a web site to a native binary, though still largely web-based. This change is appearing now for some Windows Insiders.
Remapping the Copilot key
Microsoft has got itself into a bind with the Copilot key which is supposed to open the constantly changing Copilot Windows app.
That’s OK for individual users but not for corporate users that Microsoft wants to push onto the Microsoft 365 app with its integrated Copilot, like this.
The new Copilot app is for consumers only via a Microsoft account. Commercial users, with an Entra account are expected to use Copilot within the Microsoft 365 app.
IT admins are expected to remap the Copilot key away from its original use. There’s a new Group Policy WindowsAI/SetCopilotHardwareKey to do that.
These changes apply to all managed commercial organizations whether they have a paid Copilot add-on or not. (no, it doesn’t make sense but that what Microsoft insists on).
IT Admins might need to check out the latter parts of Microsoft’s announcement for the details on the policy change.
Don’t dare suggest that this is a reverse ferret by Microsoft or an imposition on customers – heaven forbid! This is merely an “Updated ” or “Evolving” Copilot key “experience” <sigh>.
The opening paragraph of the blog post continues the blatant untruth that the Copilot key is “the first significant change to the Windows PC keyboard in nearly three decades” totally ignoring both the Cortana and Office keys that Microsoft pushed only to be greeted with global apathy.
Alt + Space shortcut for Copilot
Once the Windows Copilot app update is installed, Copilot will appear in the system tray and the Alt+Space keyboard shortcut has been assigned to Copilot’s quick view feature.
That’s annoying because Alt + Space is already used by PowerToys Run .
Microsoft acknowledged the overlap, stating that the first app launched and running in the background will take precedence when using Alt+Space. Despite this, the change is unlikely to sit well with those accustomed to their shortcuts functioning in a specific way.
What was wrong with Win + C anyway? Why keep changing the damn shortcut key on each Microsoft whim? Grrrr.
