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Updates to the Copilot Key experience

Chauncey_Larsen's avatar
Chauncey_Larsen
Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
Dec 12, 2024

In January 2024, Microsoft introduced the Copilot key on new Windows 11 PCs, marking a significant evolution in the Windows PC keyboard. Since the release of our first devices featuring this key—Surface Pro 10, Surface Laptop 6, Surface Pro and Surface Laptop—customers have increasingly embraced the convenience of single-click access to Microsoft Copilot.

While the Copilot key was initially designed to invoke Copilot in Windows, recent updates have shifted its functionality to better meet customer needs.

To help users navigate these changes, the Windows team has published a blog post and updated technical documentation:

We’re excited to see all the ways Surface and Copilot continue to help our customers unlock new levels of productivity. Be sure to read the articles above and explore your options for enabling the new Copilot experiences.

Updated Dec 12, 2024
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Copilot key
Surface
Surface for Business

3 Comments

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  • JaD2025's avatar
    JaD2025
    Copper Contributor
    Mar 17, 2025

    I wasn't aware of the feedback app until now, so thank you for the suggestion I created a feature request there. 

    Having right Ctrl available when Fn is locked would be some improvement to the current state. But I could imagine for some users it would still be a mismatch because they may want to use right ctrl without having the Fn key locked or having to press Fn additionally. 

    Why not mapping the Copilot key for multiple purposes like the windows start key, which can open the start menu AND be used for shortcuts the same time?
    - Press/Release triggers CoPilot
    - Press/Hold + other keys triggers shortcuts

  • JaD2025's avatar
    JaD2025
    Copper Contributor
    Mar 15, 2025

    Unfortunately, the new Copilot key has replaced the (right) CTRL key on many new Windows laptops. This is an important key for several keyboard shortcuts used by many developers / power users. I discovered this issue on my new HP EliteBook after the legal return period and am now facing it. For some people, remapping the key with MS Powertoys works, for me and many others it does not. For me, this is a reason to sell the new device again if there is no reliable way to reassign the key as CTRL (right).

    • Chauncey_Larsen's avatar
      Chauncey_Larsen
      Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
      Mar 17, 2025

      If you haven't provided that feedback already via the Feedback app and/or directly to your other OEMs, I would suggest going that route. On our latest Surface devices that feature the Copilot key, it coexists with our Context/Menu key that can be activated with the function key. 

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