How to Change Copilot Key Function in Windows 11

Option 1Change What the Copilot Key Opens for Your Account

Reconfiguring your Copilot key is most commonly managed through the Windows Settings ⚙️ app. You can change these settings for your personal account, which is ideal if you are the sole user of your PC.

Step 1Open Settings

Press Win+I to open Settings ⚙️ immediately.

Step 2Go to Keyboard Settings

Within the Settings ⚙️ window, click on Bluetooth 🔷 & devices in the menu on the left. Then, on the right side, locate and select Keyboard.

Step 3Find the Copilot Key Setting

Scroll down within the Keyboard settings until you find the option labeled Customize Copilot key on keyboard. Adjacent to this, you’ll notice a dropdown menu. This is where you’ll make your adjustments!

Step 4Choose What the Copilot Key Does

You can change what the Copilot key does on your Windows 11 keyboard by picking from a few choices. The default is Copilot, which opens the AI assistant, or you can choose to have it do nothing at all. There's also a custom option to make it open a different app you prefer.

• Copilot: This is the default. Pressing the key will open the Copilot AI assistant.
• Do nothing: If you find the key annoying and never want it to do anything, choose this.
• Custom: This lets you choose another app to start.

Step 5Pick a Custom App (If You Chose "Custom")

If you selected 'Custom' from the menu, a new button labeled Select will appear. Click this button. A list of applications that Microsoft has pre-approved for launch by the Copilot key will then display. Choose the application you wish to associate with your Copilot key and click Select.

Step 6Close Settings

All done! Your changes are saved automatically. You can now close the Settings window and test your customized Copilot key.

Option 2Change What the Copilot Key Opens for All Users (More Advanced)

Step 1Open the Local Group Policy Editor

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2Find the Copilot Policy

Within the Local Group Policy Editor, examine the list of folders presented on the left. Click on User Configuration. Then, expand Administrative Templates, followed by Windows Components, and finally, select Windows Copilot.

Step 3Edit the Copilot Hardware Key Policy

On the right-hand pane, locate the setting named Set Copilot Hardware Key. Double-click this setting to access its configuration options.

Step 4Set Up the Policy

To change what the Copilot key does, you must turn on a setting and then tell Windows which app you want the Copilot key to open. This involves typing a special code for that app, called its Application User Model ID (AUMID), into a box. For example, the AUMID for the Microsoft Store app looks like Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App.

• To change what the Copilot key does: Select the circle next to Enabled. Then, in the box labeled Enter App AUMID in the box, you need to type the unique identifier for the app you want to start. This identifier is called an Application User Model ID (AUMID). Think of it like a special code for each app. You will need to find the specific AUMID for the app you want to use. For example, the AUMID for the Microsoft Store app might look like Microsoft.WindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App.
• To go back to the normal behavior: Select the circle next to Not Configured. This will cancel any policy you set here and let Windows use the settings from Option 1 (the Settings app) or go back to the default Copilot behavior.

Once you've made your selection, click OK to confirm and save the policy settings.

Step 5Close the Local Group Policy Editor

You can now exit the Local Group Policy Editor. The applied changes should take effect immediately, or at the latest, upon the next user login.

References:

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/new-experiences-coming-to-the-copilot-key/4406802

Summary

You can change what the Copilot key on your Windows 11 keyboard does. For most people, going to Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, then Keyboard, and picking a new action from the 'Customize Copilot key' menu is the preferred way. Advanced users can use the Local Group Policy Editor for more complex changes.