Change or Remap the Copilot Key in Windows 11

On some Windows 11 keyboards, the Copilot key opens Copilot or another assigned app. You can change its action in Windows Settings when the option is available, or remap the key with Microsoft PowerToys if you want it to act like a different key. Before you start, check which method your PC supports and save any open work.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 11 PC with a physical Copilot key. The key is usually marked with the Copilot symbol; its availability and behavior depend on the keyboard and Windows configuration.
• For the built-in option, a Windows 11 version that shows the Copilot key setting under Personalization. If it is missing, install available Windows updates and check again.
• For a key-to-key remap, Microsoft PowerToys installed from the Microsoft Store or its official GitHub releases. You may need administrator approval to install it.

Step-by-Step

1. Check the current behavior. Press the Copilot key once and note what opens. If it opens an app other than Copilot, or does nothing, that may be the current Windows assignment or the keyboard manufacturer’s configuration. This check gives you a baseline for testing changes.
2. Look for Windows’ built-in setting first. Open Settings with Windows key + I, then select Personalization and look for Text input. On supported systems, this page includes a setting for customizing the Copilot key on the keyboard. The exact choices can vary; Windows may offer Copilot, Search, or another available app rather than arbitrary key combinations.
3. Choose an available action. Open the Copilot key drop-down and select the action or app you want. If Windows offers an app picker, choose an installed app. Some configurations may require a compatible keyboard or an available Copilot app for the setting to appear or work. Close Settings when finished.
4. Test the built-in change. Press the Copilot key once. Confirm that the selected action opens. If nothing happens, restart the PC and test again. If the setting is absent or does not offer the key combination you need, use PowerToys for a key-to-key remap instead.
5. Install and open PowerToys. Install Microsoft PowerToys through a trusted official source, then open it from the Start menu. If Windows asks for permission, approve the installation or launch request only if you intended to install the utility.
6. Turn on Keyboard Manager. In PowerToys, select Keyboard Manager in the left sidebar and switch on Enable Keyboard Manager. Select Remap a key, then choose Add key remapping. Keep PowerToys running for its remaps to remain active; you can enable it to start with Windows in PowerToys settings if that option is available.
7. Identify the Copilot key. In the new mapping row, select the physical-key field and choose Type or the equivalent key-selection control. Press the Copilot key when prompted. If PowerToys detects it, the key’s name or scan code appears. Select OK to keep that as the source key.
8. Select the replacement. In the mapped-to field, choose the keyboard key or shortcut you want the Copilot key to send. For example, you can map it to Right Alt, Escape, or a supported shortcut. Choose carefully: the remap changes what that physical key sends and can affect shortcuts or typing.
9. Save and verify. Select OK or Save in the remapping window. Test the Copilot key in a text editor or another appropriate app. If you mapped a shortcut, test it in an app where that shortcut has a clear, harmless effect.
10. Undo or change the remap. Return to PowerToys > Keyboard Manager > Remap a key. Use the remove control beside the mapping to delete it, or edit the destination to choose another key. Disable Keyboard Manager to stop all its keyboard remaps temporarily.

Common Mistakes

• Expecting Windows Settings to offer any key or shortcut. The built-in Copilot setting is limited to the choices Windows displays. Use PowerToys for a key-to-key remap, and do not assume it can assign every app or complex action.
• Using the wrong PowerToys remapping page. For a physical Copilot key that should send another key, use Remap a key. Remap a shortcut is for changing a keyboard combination, not the basic single-key mapping.
• Leaving PowerToys closed. PowerToys Keyboard Manager needs to be running for its remap to work. If you want the change after signing in, configure PowerToys to start with Windows.
• Mapping to a key you still need. Replacing a key such as Escape or a modifier can make normal tasks awkward. Pick a destination you can spare, and remember how to remove the mapping.
• Confusing an app assignment with a key remap. Windows may let you choose an app for the Copilot key; PowerToys sends a different key signal. These are different kinds of customization and can behave differently.

Tips

• Change one setting at a time, then test it before adding another remap. This makes it easier to find the cause if a shortcut stops working.
• To launch an app with a keyboard shortcut, consider a shortcut the app or Windows already supports rather than mapping a single key to an unfamiliar combination. PowerToys Keyboard Manager’s capabilities can vary by version.
• If you use multiple keyboards, test the Copilot key on each one. A remap may apply to keyboards generally rather than only the built-in key on one device.
• Keep a note of the original behavior and the destination key. You can restore it by removing the PowerToys mapping or choosing the original Windows setting again.

Troubleshooting

The Copilot key setting is missing in Settings: Confirm that you are in Settings > Personalization > Text input. Install available Windows updates, restart, and look again. If it remains absent, your Windows configuration or keyboard may not expose the built-in option; try PowerToys if you need a key-to-key remap.

PowerToys will not detect the key: Check that Keyboard Manager is enabled and that you are selecting the source-key field before pressing the Copilot key. Some keyboards or firmware may report the key in a way Keyboard Manager cannot capture. Try the Windows setting or a keyboard manufacturer’s configuration utility, if one is available for your device. Avoid downloading unofficial remapping tools.

The key still opens Copilot after a PowerToys remap: Check that the mapping is saved, Keyboard Manager is enabled, and PowerToys is running. Restart Windows and test again. A device utility or firmware-level assignment may take precedence, so check the keyboard’s own settings if the remap does not take effect.

The new key does not do what you expected: Test the destination key by itself in a basic text editor or another suitable app. Apps interpret keys and shortcuts differently. If the result is inconvenient, remove the mapping and choose a simpler destination.

You need the original behavior back: Remove the mapping in PowerToys. If you changed the built-in setting, return to Settings > Personalization > Text input and select the previous action, if it is still available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the Copilot key open any app?
Windows may offer an app choice in its Copilot key setting, depending on your system. PowerToys Keyboard Manager is primarily for remapping keys and shortcuts; it may not provide a direct, universal app-launch assignment for a single key.

Can I remap the Copilot key without installing software?
Yes, if Windows Settings on your PC provides a suitable built-in option. For changing the key into another keyboard key, Windows may not offer a built-in control; PowerToys is a common option.

Will the remap work when I close PowerToys?
No. PowerToys Keyboard Manager needs to be running. Set PowerToys to start with Windows if you want the remap available after signing in.

Can I restore the Copilot key later?
Yes. Remove its PowerToys mapping or restore the original choice in Windows Settings. Restart if the previous behavior does not return immediately.

Does this change the Copilot key on every keyboard?
It depends on the remapping method and how each keyboard reports the key. Test the keyboards you use; a remap may not be limited to one physical keyboard.

Is remapping the Copilot key reversible?
Yes. You can delete or disable the PowerToys mapping, or change the Windows assignment back. Keep another way to access the settings in case the replacement key is inconvenient.

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