The secret behind the Windows 11 Copilot key is that it isn’t a new key at all
Tapping the Copilot key on a PC actually uses a keyboard combination that relies on IBM-era hardware.
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What you need to know
Microsoft really wants you to try Copilot on Windows 11. Microsoft is working on several ways to summon Copilot, bringing the AI tool to your fingertips. Copilot lives in the Windows 11 taskbar and can be summoned with a keyboard shortcut (Windows + C). Microsoft may also have a swipe from the right gestureopen Copilot rather than notifications. The most visible method is aCopilot key, which will be on future PCs.
Microsoft’s definition of AI PCs requires a system to have a dedicated Copilot key. We’ve seen the key on a few computers already and expect it to be standard in the near future. But there’s a secret behind the Copilot key—it isn’t a new key at all. Rather than create a new scan code, Microsoft made the Copilot key work by using a keyboard shortcut that requires hardware almost no one uses anymore.
As ourcolleagues at Tom’s Hardware discovered, the Copilot key sends the following command to your PC: Left Shift + Windows key + F23. That command then opens Copilot by default.
If you have had a normal computer for some time in this millennium, you probably do not have an F23 key. Keyboards from decades ago, such as the IBM M 122, had two rows of function keys, giving a range of F1-F24 to choose from. While you canstill purchase a keyboard with 24 function keys, they’re rather rare.
How Copilot key works on Windows 11
The inner workings of the Copilot key are more fun trivia than anything substantial. Very few people even have an F23 key in 2024, and those who do aren’t likely to have a macro set to Left Shift + Windows key + F23. I don’t foresee anyone’s workflow being changed by the coding behind the Copilot key. What’s more likely is that the physical key itself will affect your workflow. After all, it replaces a current key in the standard keyboard layout. Thankfully, you can remap the Copilot key or any other key if you’d like.
Our friends atTom’s Hardwarerecommend AutoHotKey for remapping keys on Windows 11. Because the Copilot key is programmed, you have to jump through a few hoops to remap it to another key.
I don’t have a PC with a Copilot button, so I need to check if PowerToys is a viable alternative to AutoHotKey for this task. PowerToys is more user-friendly when it comes to keyboard remapping, but it isn’t as versatile as AutoHotKey. With PowerToys, you can set a single key to perform up to a three-key command or just change a key to a different one if you’d like.
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PowerToys |Free at GitHub|Free at Microsoft Store
This collection of utilities includes a large library of features to enhance the Windows experience. PowerToys is designed with power users in mind, but it has handy features for people who just use their PC for everyday computing too.
Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
