Microsoft is working on letting users personalize the Copilot key on Windows 11. The Copilot key has started appearing on new laptops and keyboards. By default, the Copilot key is set to launch Microsoft’s Copilot app on Windows 11, but the company is currently testing the option to launch other apps instead.
A new beta version of Windows 11 includes the customization updates and is available to testers starting today.
“We’re adding the ability to configure the Copilot key. You can choose to have the Copilot key launch an app that is MSIX packaged and signed, indicating that the app meets security and privacy requirements to keep customers safe. The key will continue to launch Copilot on devices where the Copilot app is installed until a customer selects a different experience,” according to the Windows Insider blog.
Users can find this setting by going to ‘Settings’, then ‘Personalization’ and ‘Text Input’. The keyboard that is paired with the PC must have a Copilot key.
This change is intended to promote the AI assistant among Windows users and represents a major change for Windows keyboards in 30 years.
Earlier this year, new Copilot Plus PCs shipped with the key. However, Microsoft has made the Copilot experience less effective on these devices by turning it into a web app in the latest Windows 11 24H2 update. The web app version is no longer included in Windows 11 settings, so users can’t use the AI assistant to manage settings.
The availability of personalization for the Copilot key for Windows 11 beta testers suggests that it will soon be available to all Windows 11 users.
First publication: Sep 23, 2024 | 10:43 AM IST