Microsoft intends to enable users of Windows 11 to personalize the Copilot key, which is now included in the packaging of new laptops and keyboards. On Windows 11, the Copilot key is set up by default to start Microsoft’s Copilot program. However, the company is now testing the possibility of using it to start other apps.

The customisation updates are included in a new Windows 11 beta build that is now being tested by testers. The Windows Insider team writes in a blog post, “You can choose to have the Copilot key launch an app that is MSIX packaged and signed, thus indicating the app meets security and privacy requirements to keep customers safe.” “Until a customer chooses a different experience, the key will continue to launch Copilot on devices that have the Copilot app installed.”

As part of Microsoft’s effort to get Windows users to test its AI assistant, the Copilot key is the first significant update to Windows keyboards in thirty years.

Additionally, earlier this year, new Copilot Plus PCs began shipping with the key. However, with the most recent Windows 11 24H2 update, Microsoft changed Copilot into a web app, reducing the usefulness of the Copilot experience on these new machines.

You can’t utilize the AI assistant to adjust certain settings, such whether dark mode is on, because this web app version of Copilot no longer integrates with the Windows 11 settings. Microsoft’s plans to improve the Copilot experience in Windows remain unclear, as does the possibility of the Copilot key becoming more similar to the Windows key for shortcut launch.