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How to Change Copilot Shortcut on Windows

The default shortcut to open Copilot on Windows is Windows key + C. While the default shortcut is pretty easy to use, if you use it often, its awkward position can be a bit hard to get used to. In this quick and easy tutorial, we’ll show two simple ways to change the Copilot shortcut on Windows. That way, you can open it with the shortcut of your choice and not be limited by the default one. Let’s get started.

Change Copilot Shortcut on Windows

We can use programs such as PowerToys or AutoHotKey to modify the default copilot shortcut. I will show how to do it using these two programs. Follow the one you like the best.

Note: Windows doesn’t have a native option to modify shortcuts. So, we must use external software.

1. Using PowerToys

1. First, head over to the official GitHub page and download PowerToys. You will find the download link under the Assets section. You click on the one that says PowerToysSetup-#.##.#-x64.exe.

download PowerToys

2. After downloading, double-click on the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install PowerToys.

3. Once installed, open PowerToys by searching for it in the Start menu.

open PowerToys by searching for it in the start menu

4. In the PowerToys window, navigate to the Keyboard Manager tab and turn on the Enable Keyboard Manager toggle.

turn on enable keyboard manager toggle

5. Click on Remap a Key.

click remap a key

6. Click the Add Key Remapping button.

click add key remapping button

7. Click the Select button under the Select section.

click select

8. Press the key you want to assign. For example, I want to open Copilot when I press the F10 key. So, I pressed it. Click OK.

Note: If you want to assign a key combination (for example Shift + F10), return to the Keyboard Manager screen and click the Remap a Shortcut option.

set key

9. Under the To Send column, ensure the first dropdown is set to Key/Shortcut and click the Select button.

click select

10. Now, press the Windows key + C shortcut and click OK.

set shortcut

11. In the main window, click the OK button in the top right corner.

click ok

12. Click Continue Anyway.

click continue anyway

That’s it. From now on, press the new shortcut to open Copilot. In my case, pressing F10 opens Copilot.

2. Using AutoHotKey

AutoHotKey is a free and open-source Windows automation and macro software. It makes it easy to create custom shortcuts, macros, and automation easy. While this software is excellent and gives you more control, it is a learning curve. So, follow this method if you are willing to experiment and learn.

1. Download AutoHotKey from the official website. After that, install it by double-clicking on the downloaded installer file.

Note: Download Version 2.0. Version 1.0 is deprecated.

2. Now, open Notepad by searching for it in the Start menu.

3. Copy and paste the below code in the Notepad. The below code modifies the copilot shortcut so that you can open it by pressing the F10 key. If you want to assign another key or key combination modify the ‘F10’ part of the code.

Note: You can learn more about how to assign keys and key combinations in AutoHotKey.

; Opens Copilot with F10
; Made by WindowsLoop.com
F10::Send "{#c}"

4. Press Ctrl + S to save the file.

5. Navigate to where you want to save the file. Enter ‘RemapCopolitShortcut.ahk‘ in the File Name field, select All Files from the Save as Type dropdown, and click OK.

7. Close the Notepad window.

8. Open the folder where you saved the file and double-click on it. This will run the script. You can see it in the taskbar system tray. As long as the script is running, you can use the new keyboard shortcut to open Copilot. In my case, that new key is F10.

9. Add the AutoHotKey script to startup so that you don’t have to run it manually every time.

And there you have it! By following one of the two methods shown above, you can change the keyboard shortcut to open Copilot. If you have any questions, comment below and we’ll help. Since you can now launch Copilot with a keyboard shortcut, you can remove the Copilot icon from the taskbar, if you want.

2 thoughts on “How to Change Copilot Shortcut on Windows”

  1. Avatar for Tomasz Kasinski

    This is only partially true. What you explained is how to REDIRECT the shortcut to another one keystroke. Not how to change it! The problem is Alt+C or any other combination is often used by non English diacritics for example Alt+C = ć. With the recent Windows update this was taken by Copilot launch (no idea why they need Win+C and Alt+C for that). The problem is THIS CANNOT BE CHANGED! So no mater what you propose Alt+C would no longer allow input of that polish character anymore!
    We need an actual solution so not remapping but actually changing the DEFAULT shortcut to something else. Weirdly you can change many other shortcuts but not this one…

    1. Avatar for Gerwin Grossinger
      Gerwin Grossinger

      Hi Tomasz,
      I have the same problem – the German Setup for Ctrl+Alt+C would be “Format painter” – which is simply no longer availabe, as it is overruled bei Alt+C for Copilot.

      What worked for me:
      a) Delete Copilot from the autostart menue.
      b) Open Copilot properties/Settings:
      (Attention: use the “three dots” on the left side, not the dots on the top right)
      There should be something like “pin and start” where you can deselect “Keep the application running after closing the window”

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