Remember the Copilot key, Microsoft’s big bet on AI PCs? It didn’t exactly win everyone over initially. Now, in a recent Windows Insider blog post, Microsoft has announced a game-changer: you can configure the Copilot key to open apps other than the Copilot AI assistant itself. This opens up a world of possibilities for personalized workflows and enhanced productivity.
The feature is set to roll out to Windows Insiders in the Release Preview on the 23H2 version of Windows 11, though an exact date hasn’t been confirmed. This news is a breath of fresh air for those who desired more control over the dedicated Copilot key, which has become a standard feature on many high-end laptops.
However, there’s a catch. While you can technically customize the Copilot key to open any app, Microsoft has implemented a safety measure. The app must be packaged using the MSIX standard, which is designed to be more secure than traditional MSI and EXE packages. Currently, the pool of MSIX apps is limited, but we can expect that to expand over time.
Once the feature is available, you’ll be able to customize the Copilot key by navigating to Settings > Personalization > Text input. Unfortunately, Microsoft has yet to release a list of compatible apps, but hopefully, that information will be revealed soon.
The Copilot key initially raised eyebrows as it was the first dedicated key introduced in almost three decades, especially since it was essentially just a shortcut. However, with this new flexibility and the growing power of AI-powered laptops equipped with powerful NPUs, the Copilot key is poised to become a valuable tool for users who crave a more customizable and personalized computing experience.