Remap the Copilot Button on Windows 11

If you purchased a Windows laptop in 2024 with a built-in NPU, there’s a good chance your keyboard includes a dedicated Copilot button. This feature, found on devices powered by Snapdragon processors, Intel Core Ultra (Series 1 and 2), and AMD Ryzen AI chips, is Microsoft’s way of distinguishing “Copilot PCs” from standard laptops.

The button encourages frequent use of Microsoft’s Copilot, an AI-powered assistant integrated into Windows. However, not everyone finds it useful, and some may even press it accidentally, mistaking it for another key. If you’d rather repurpose this button for something else, Windows 11 makes it easy to customize its functionality.

Changing the Copilot Button Functionality in Windows Settings

1. Open Windows Settings
   Right-click on your desktop and select Personalize. Alternatively, open the Settings app via the Windows key.
2. Access Personalization Options
   Select Personalization from the menu, then scroll down to find Customize Copilot key on keyboard.
3. Choose Between ‘Search’ or ‘Custom’
   By default, the toggle will show Copilot. You can switch it to either Search or Custom.
4. Set to ‘Search’
   Choosing Search will make the Copilot button focus on the search bar, allowing you to type queries immediately.
5. Set to ‘Custom’
   Selecting Custom opens a list of installed apps. From here, you can assign the button to launch an app of your choice. Options include many first-party Microsoft apps (e.g., Calculator, Paint) and several Microsoft Store apps like Telegram and Slack. However, certain apps, such as Epic Games Launcher, may not appear.

Remapping the Copilot Button with Microsoft PowerToys

1. Install PowerToys
   Download Microsoft PowerToys from the Microsoft Store. Expand the left menu (if needed) by clicking the three-line icon.
2. Enable Administrator Mode
   In PowerToys, navigate to General and toggle Restart PowerToys as administrator under the Administrator mode section.
3. Turn on ‘Run at Startup’
   Scroll down in the same menu and enable the Run at startup option.
4. Access the Input/Output Settings
   Open the Input/Output menu on the left panel.
5. Navigate to Keyboard Manager
   Select Keyboard Manager and scroll down to the Keys submenu.
6. Remap the Copilot Key
   Click Remap a key. In the pop-up, press the Copilot button to register it (Windows recognizes it as F23).
7. Assign a New Shortcut
   Under the To send section, press Select and enter your desired key combination (e.g., Win + 1 to open the first pinned taskbar app).
8. Apply the Changes
   Confirm by clicking OK. Ignore any warning messages by selecting Continue anyway.

Making the Most of Your Copilot Button

By customizing the Copilot button, you can make it better suited to your workflow. Microsoft Copilot itself is evolving, with upcoming features like Copilot Vision and Copilot Voice aimed at delivering seamless AI assistance. The company also plans to integrate Copilot across work applications, solidifying its role as a key productivity tool.

For those still using Windows 10, remember that support is winding down, and upgrading to Windows 11 will soon be necessary. Transitioning to a new laptop in 2025 will likely include exclusive AI features on Copilot-enabled PCs, thanks to advancements in AI-focused hardware from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm.

CES 2025 promises exciting announcements about the future of these technologies, including innovations in AI, chips, and power efficiency.