How to change the Copilot Key action in Windows 11

In this post we will show you how to change the Copilot Key action in Windows 11. Microsoft introduced a special Copilot key on certain new devices (like the Surface Pro), which initially launched the Copilot app. However, the company soon changed its approach to integrating AI into Windows. Instead of embedding the Copilot AI chatbot directly into the operating system, they have switched to offering it as a web-based app, which causes the Copilot Key to lose its default functionality. As a result, Microsoft introduced the option to customize the key’s action.

While the Copilot key still serves its original purpose (the key will continue to launch Copilot on devices with the Copilot app installed), users have the flexibility to customize the Copilot key open Windows Search or any app that uses the MSIX package format (a type of app package format used for Windows apps).

Change the Copilot Key action in Windows 11

Nasty change the Copilot Key action on your Windows 11 PC, you can use one of these methods:

Use the Settings app
Use the Group Policy Editor

Let’s look at this in detail.

1) Use the Settings app

Press Win + me to open the Institutions app. Click on the Personalization option in the left pane. Just scroll and click Text input in the right pane.

Then click the drop-down box next to ‘Customize the Copilot key on the keyboard‘ option. You will see three options:

Second pilot: Launch the Windows Copilot app when the key is pressed.
Search: Opens the Windows Search experience with the Copilot key.
Amended: This allows you to select a specific app (installed via the Microsoft Store or apps that use the signed MSIX package format) to launch with the Copilot key.

Select the desired option.

If you select ‘Custom’, a pop-up menu will appear. Choose an app and click Select to indicate your choice. Close the Institutions app.

The next time you press the Copilot physical key on the keyboard, the specified app will launch.

If you don’t see this setting, update your Windows and make sure you have KB5044380 installed.

2) Use the Group Policy Editor

This method applies system-wide to all user accounts on the device. However, you must be logged in as administrator to implement these changes. Additionally, keep in mind that the Local Group Policy Editor is only available in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, so this option won’t be accessible in Home editions of Windows 11 unless you manually enable GPEDIT.MSC.

Press Win + Rtype gpedit.msc in the Walk dialogue and press Enter.

This will open the Local Group Policy Editor. Navigate to the following location in the left panel of the policy editor window:

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot

Double-click in the right panel Set the Copilot hardware key to change the policy.

To change the app that opens the Copilot key, select the Enabled option. Enter the Application user model ID (AUMID/AppId) of the specific app in the options box and click Applyfollowed by OK.

We had published a separate post on how check the Application User Model ID of installed apps in Windows 11. You can refer to the message to find the AUMID of the app you want to open by pressing the Copilot key, such as Microsoft Edge or another MSIX app.

Close the Local Group Policy Editor and restart your PC to apply the changes.

The configuration made through the Local Group Policy Editor regarding the Copilot hardware key is stored in the Windows registry. Specifically, the above setting is saved as a String value called SetCopilotHardwareKey (REG_SZ) within the following registry path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CopilotKey

Setting up the Set the Copilot hardware key policy Not configured (return to default) removes the SetCopilotHardwareKey (REG_SZ) string value in the registry key.

Disable the Copilot hardware key for specific apps

To disable the Copilot hardware key so that it cannot launch any app, including Windows Copilot, follow these steps:

Open the Local Group Policy Editor and navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot.

In the right pane, double-click on it Set the Copilot hardware key policy and select the Disabled option. Click OK to save the changes and restart your PC.

Once the setting is applied, the option to customize the Copilot will be keyed Institutions will be disabled (grayed out) and can no longer be changed by individual users.

Remark:

If the policy is set to Not configuredCopilot will open if it is available in that country or region.
The Copilot key customization option is only available on keyboards designed with a special key for the chatbot.
If the setting is not visible on your Windows 11 PC, it could be due to: not with the latest preview build that includes this feature. Check the version of Windows you use and install the latest updates, if any.
Only Microsoft Store apps or apps packaged in the signed MSIX format can be assigned the Copilot key, excluding many commonly installed apps such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and VLC.

Read: How do I disable Windows Copilot in Windows 11?

How do I change the co-pilot button?

If you want to change the action of the Copilot button on your Windows 11 device, you can adjust it through Settings or use the Local Group Policy Editor. In Settings, navigate to > Text inputand select the action for the Copilot button. For more advanced control, the Local Group Policy Editor allows you to configure the button to launch an app by pressing the Set the Copilot hardware key policy and entering the app’s AUMID.

How do I change the Copilot key to the Control key?

If you want to change the Copilot key to function as a Control (Ctrl) key, you can do that reassign the key using Microsoft PowerToys. Download and install PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or GitHub. After launching the app, go to the Keyboard management section and enable Keyboard Manager. Then click Reassign a key and press the + Add key remapping to add a new key assignment. Click in the left column Select and press the Second pilot key on your keyboard. Click in the right column Select and press the Control (Ctrl) key. After you save your changes, pressing the Copilot key now functions as a Ctrl key.