Microsoft Copilot Key is Coming to the Keyboard of New Windows 11 PCs

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Key Takeaways:

  • Microsoft is introducing a new Copilot key to the PC keyboard, the first such addition in nearly three decades since the introduction of the Windows key.
  • The key requires a Microsoft account to launch the Copilot tool on Windows 11 PCs.
  • This new Copilot key is set to be available on new Windows 11 PCs later this month through Spring 2024.

Microsoft is getting ready to add a new Copilot key to the Windows keyboard. The company announced today that the new Copilot key will be available on new Windows 11 PCs later this month, including on upcoming Surface devices.

Microsoft introduced its new Copilot AI assistant on Windows 11 back in September 2023. It lives in a sidebar to the right side of the screen and can be launched with the Windows Key + C keyboard shortcut or a right-click. The AI assistant allows users to control parts of the desktop experience with voice or text commands. For example, Copilot in Windows can enable dark mode, organize windows, launch apps, take screenshots, answer queries, and summarize content from the web.

It is worth noting that the Copilot key is the first new key to be added to the PC keyboard since the introduction of the Windows key about 30 years ago. The Windows key is mainly used to open the Start menu and perform various keyboard shortcuts for quick access to different features and applications.

“The introduction of the Copilot key marks the first significant change to the Windows PC keyboard in nearly three decades,” said Yusuf Mehdi, Executive Vice President & Consumer Chief Marketing Officer at Microsoft. “The Copilot key joins the Windows key as a core part of the PC keyboard and when pressed, the new key will invoke the Copilot in Windows experience to make it seamless to engage Copilot in your day to day.”

New Copilot Key to Make the AI Assistant More Accessible on Windows 11 PCs

New Copilot key reflects Microsoft’s commitment to incorporating personalized AI experiences in Windows 11

Microsoft says that the Copilot key requires a Microsoft account to launch the AI assistant on Windows 11 PCs. Copilot is currently available in select markets, and it has yet to be enabled in Europe. If the Copilot feature is not available or enabled on a Windows device, the Copilot key will open Windows Search instead.

Microsoft has been making significant investments in AI technology and has integrated it deeply into its Windows 11 operating system. The company’s approach is focused on creating features and tools that enterprise customers can use to improve user experience, enhance security, and optimize operations.

Last year, Microsoft announced new AI Copilots to assist users with drafting Office documents, writing code, and detecting security breaches. It will be interesting to see how Microsoft’s AI-centric strategy reshapes the technology landscape in the year ahead.