You don’t have to wait until next month to reprogram the Copilot key on your PC

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You don't have to wait until next month to reprogram the Copilot key on your PC

What you need to know

  • Microsoft released a preview update for Windows 11 that allows you to configure the Copilot key to open other applications.
  • The update also includes several changes and improvements, including a new shortcut to open Narrator.
  • The preview update is available now, but the same changes will make their way to PCs in the November Patch Tuesday update.

As a seasoned tech enthusiast with years of tinkering under my belt, I must say that the latest preview update for Windows 11 has piqued my interest. The ability to customize the Copilot key to open other applications is a feature I’ve been yearning for.

Monthly updates for Windows 11 are usually released on the second Tuesday of every month. However, you don’t have to wait that long to experience the latest enhancements and alterations on your computer. Every month, Microsoft puts out a preview version of Windows 11, which typically contains most, if not all, of the modifications destined for inclusion in a subsequent monthly update.

Toward the end of the week, Microsoft released Windows 11 Build 26100.2161 as a preview update. This release introduces a new feature that allows users to prevent specific apps from sending notifications, and it also enhances the Wi-Fi password dialog to align with the design aesthetics of Windows 11.

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Beginning with Windows 11 Build 26100.2161, you can customize the Copilot key to launch another application.

To quickly access the latest preview updates, you can do so via the Windows Settings application. Inside the Windows Update segment, opt for “installing updates automatically when they become available“. Please note that the instructions provided in Microsoft’s blog post for installing preview updates may not be accurate.

The Copilot+ PC setup includes a dedicated Copilot key, making it simple for users to access Microsoft’s AI-enhanced software. This is advantageous for those who utilize Copilot, but some might view it as unnecessary if they don’t use the tool. Although Copilot is widely accessible on contemporary computers, not everyone chooses to use it. For instance, the CEO of Salesforce has criticized Copilot, referring to the software as “Microsoft’s new Clippy.

Currently, if someone isn’t fond of Salesforce’s Copilot, they have the option to reprogram the Copilot key on their keyboard to launch a different application instead. In a playful manner, I’ve shown how to label the Copilot key as “say anything,” but it’s important to note that there are certain limitations on which apps this key can open. For security reasons, these apps must be MSIX packaged and digitally signed prior to use.

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Below are all the changes rolling out normally and gradually, as outlined by Microsoft:

Windows 11 Build 26100.2161: Gradual rollout

  • [Notifications] New! You can now stop the suggestions to turn off notifications from certain apps. Select the ellipses (…) in the notification and turn it off. You can also go to Settings > System > Notifications and turn it off from there. Look for “Notification Suggestions” in the senders list. An entry will only appear in the list after you receive a notification.
  • [Wi-Fi password dialog] New! The dialog now has the Windows 11 visual design. Go to Settings > Network & internet.​​​​​​​
  • [Narrator]
  • New! This update adds a new Narrator shortcut. Press the Narrator key + Ctrl + X to copy what Narrator last spoke to the clipboard. This shortcut is useful when you want to quickly copy some content, like codes or numbers for use.
  • New! It will now auto read the contents of an email message in the new Outlook. This is like the behavior in Outlook classic.
  • ​​​​​​​[Start menu] New! “All apps” has the new name, “All.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  • [ALT + Tab] Fixed: The screen goes black on some PCs for a few seconds when you switch between certain windows.
  • ​​​​​​​[Scanning apps] Fixed: They don’t detect certain scanners although they are connected.

Windows 11 Build 26100.2161: Normal rollout

  • [Web sign-in] Fixed: You cannot sign in to your account from the web because the screen stops responding.
  • [Copilot key settings] New! You can configure the Copilot key on the keyboard. On new devices, the key opens the Copilot app. If you sign in to your account using a Microsoft Entra ID, the key opens the M365 app. You can make the key open a different app or open Search. To do this, go to Settings > Personalization > Text input. To make the key open a different app, the app must be in a signed MSIX package. This ensures that the app meets security and privacy standards to keep you safe. If your PC’s keyboard does not have a Copilot key, changing this setting will do nothing.
  • [WindowsDisk Cleanup app] Fixed: This update addresses some of the causes for the wrong free space estimates and improves its accuracy.

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2024-10-28 18:39