Microsoft gives Windows 11 users more control over the Copilot key
Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 11 will receive new options for the dedicated Copilot key. The company says an update shipping later this year will let users remap the key to work as either the Context menu key or Right Ctrl.
The setting will appear under Settings, Bluetooth & devices, Keyboard. This is aimed at newer Windows 11 devices where the Copilot key replaced either the Right Ctrl key or the Context menu key.
Right Ctrl comes back, sort of
Microsoft says some users had issues with this change, including those who rely on keyboard shortcuts or assistive technologies such as screen readers. This is not surprising, since Right Ctrl is still part of many workflows, and replacing it with an AI shortcut was never going to work for everyone.
Source: Microsoft
There is one limitation – Microsoft says some shortcuts using physical Left Shift together with Right Ctrl may not work consistently on all keyboards after remapping. In those cases, users should use the physical Right Shift key instead.
The company also warns that Copilot key behavior can vary depending on the device manufacturer, firmware and keyboard design. If a device already includes its own Copilot key remapping tool, Microsoft recommends using either the Windows setting or the vendor setting, not both.
Copilot buttons on keyboards and Mini-PCs
Copilot on chopping block
This is part of Microsoft’s wider pullback from Copilot-heavy Windows 11 changes. Earlier this year, the company reportedly paused some Copilot integrations and said it would focus more on fixing user pain points across Windows 11.
Now I wonder how Mini-PC makers feel about this change. The Copilot button made little sense on standard keyboards, and even less on a PC chassis.
Source: Microsoft
