It looks like Microsoft might have thought better about banishing Copilot AI shortcut from Windows 11

Date:
Mon, 24 Mar 2025 14:19:26 +0000

Description:
Dont have a dedicated Copilot key? You might be pleased to learn that Microsoft could bring back the Windows 11 keyboard shortcut that served as
its substitute.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Windows 11 could again be graced with the Windows key + C shortcut to summon Copilot This keyboard shortcut was removed from Windows 11 last year for reasons that its difficult to fathom, frankly Microsoft now seems to have had second thoughts about banishing the shortcut or so a rumor suggests

Theres some potentially good news for Windows 11 users who miss the old keyboard shortcut that invoked Copilot , as early hints have been dropped
that this functionality could be reinstated by Microsoft.

The keyboard shortcut in question which is Windows key + C essentially served as a substitute for those who dont have a dedicated Copilot key (as seen on Copilot+ PCs like the new Dell XPS 13 ) to summon the AI assistant.

According to PhantomOfEarth on X, a regular source of gossip and leaks for Windows, Microsoft is experimenting with bringing back this keyboard combination. Microsoft is experimenting with bringing back the Windows key +
C keyboard shortcut. It will do the same action as the Copilot key, so can be customized in Settings."Choose what happens when you press the Copilot key or Windows logo key + C" March 23, 2025

I assume that PhantomOfEarth has uncovered clues in a recent preview build of Windows 11 to indicate this process is underway, but they dont make that clear.

As noted, just like the Copilot key, you will be able to customize the function of this shortcut in Settings. So, if you dont use the AI assistant, you can get Windows + C to perform a different action more useful to your particular way of working. (Image credit: Future) Analysis: Cleared for landing on your keyboard (after being in a holding pattern for a long time)

Theres actually quite a backstory here that you may not be aware of. Many moons ago, Windows + C was used to fire up Cortana, but when that AI
assistant was ditched (back in 2023) , Microsoft transferred the shortcut to Copilot.

Then, in what was a puzzling twist at the time, in the middle of 2024 the keyboard shortcut was decoupled from Copilot the reasons for that being best known to Microsoft. As I observed at the time , the more cynical might
suggest that it did lend extra value to the convenience of that dedicated Copilot key, effectively making that more of a (slight) selling point for Copilot+ laptops, at least in theory.

(I should also note that Windows Latest , which spotted the above post,
points out that back at the time, Microsoft did argue that using the Windows key in conjunction with the number position for Copilot pinned to your
taskbar is a great way to open Copilot, rather than Windows + C. Still, whats the harm in having another more convenient in my book way of doing that? It wasnt like Windows + C got another more important use allocated to it when Copilot was removed from the shortcut it just didnt do anything).

At any rate, whatever the reasoning was back then, Microsoft is seemingly going to reverse course now and its about time. Well, I say that in the full knowledge that no AI chickens should be counted just yet not until we actually see this keyboard shortcut reemerge officially in testing as a way
to bring up the Copilot app. For now, this remains just a hint that Microsoft is busy reintroducing this small but potentially useful feature.

Of course, even if you dont use Copilot in Windows 11, youll likely
appreciate having the ability to redefine the shortcut to something else, rather than the combo lying dormant. Although Im guessing this ability could come laden with the same limitations as remapping the dedicated Copilot key
to another function, namely that only certain apps can be linked to it but who knows, maybe that wont be the case. You may also like... Shock, horror
Im not going to argue with Microsofts latest bit of nagging in Windows 11, as this pop-up is justified Windows 11 is still my favorite OS, ads and all Windows 11 could eventually help you understand how fast your PC is - as well as offer tips for making your laptop faster for free



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/it-looks-like-microsoft-might-have -thought-better-about-banishing-copilot-ai-shortcut-from-windows-11


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)