The Copilot key has transformed into a “whatever” key in the most recent Windows Insider Preview build.
Regardless of your interest in Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant, a number of new computers released this year feature a dedicated Copilot key on their keyboards. This holds true whether the computer qualifies for Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC program or not. Microsoft’s determination to integrate AI functionalities into all its offerings has led to a significant change in Windows keyboard design—something not seen in the last thirty years.
So, what happens if you rarely use Copilot, have turned it off, uninstalled it, or simply don’t find a need for quick access? To accommodate such users, Microsoft has implemented changes in a new Windows Insider Preview build available in the Dev channel, which will enable the remapping of the Copilot key to launch applications beyond just Copilot.
However, there are some limitations. According to Microsoft, for an app to show up in the options menu within the Settings app, it must be “MSIX packaged and signed,” which indicates the app complies with security and privacy standards designed to protect users. Typically, apps acquired through the Microsoft Store or native Windows applications will fulfill these criteria, but applications installed from outside sources might not. Furthermore, it’s important to note that you can’t program the Copilot key to execute any random executable or batch file, and customization options are limited to launching apps (at least without resorting to third-party software for keyboard reconfiguration).
The latest Windows Insider build is derived from Windows 11 24H2, which Microsoft recently made available to the public as the Windows 11 2024 Update earlier this week. Like any new Windows Insider feature, the option for configuring the Copilot key may be introduced to everyone at any moment, or it could be revised or even removed entirely. However, it is likely that devices with the 2024 Update will see this feature emerge in the coming months.
Aside from that, this Insider build is relatively minimal in terms of new features, although Microsoft notes that an updated version of the Windows Sandbox client, which is accessible through the Microsoft Store, should now be available by default for all Insiders. The Windows Sandbox enables the installation and operation of applications within a controlled environment, reducing their ability to interact with the main operating system. This feature has been part of both Windows 10 and 11 for some time, but the updated version now supports clipboard redirection for copying and pasting in sandboxed applications, offers input controls for audio and video, and allows individual folders to be shared with the host operating system.