The Copilot or Microsoft Copilot AI assistant has been available in the Windows operating system for over a year now.
In the initial days, on Windows 11 and 10 PCs, we could launch the Copilot app using the Windows logo + C keyboard shortcut. However, sadly, this keyboard shortcut no longer works.
If you often use Copilot to search for information, you might want to use a keyboard shortcut to access it quickly. Of course, the newest Copilot+ branded PCs are equipped with a dedicated Copilot key on the keyboard to quickly access the AI assistant from Microsoft, but most users do not have a Copilot+ PC.
Here are the three easy ways for those looking to access Copilot with a keyboard shortcut.
Method 1 of 3
Enable the Alt + Spacebar keyboard shortcut to open Copilot quick view
The newest version of the Copilot offers an option to set Alt + Space as the keyboard shortcut to access it. Here is how to turn it on.
NOTE: With Windows installation settings, the Alt + Space hotkey is used to open the window management menu, which shows move, restore, minimize, maximize, and close options. If you set it to open the Copilot quick view, the hotkey cannot be used to open the window management menu.
Step 1: Launch the Copilot app using search.
Step 2: Click the three dots in the Copilot title bar, click Settings, and then turn on the “Enable Alt + Space shortcut” option. That’s it!
From now on, you can simultaneously press the Alt and Spacebar keys to open the Copilot quick view dialog.
Method 2 of 3
Use Windows + 1 to open Copilot in Windows 11
If you do not like to assign the Alt + Space hotkey to open Copilot, there is an easy way to assign the Windows logo + 1 keyboard shortcut to open Copilot. Here is how.
Step 1: Run the Copilot app using search.
Step 2: Once the Copilot app is launched, right-click on its taskbar icon and then click Pin to taskbar to add it to the taskbar.
Step 3: Now, drag the Copilot app icon next to the Windows logo button on the taskbar. Once the Copilot icon is added next to the taskbar, you can use the Windows logo + 1 to open Copilot. You may use this keyboard shortcut as long as the Copilot is pinned next to the Windows logo key.
Method 3 of 3
Create a custom keyboard shortcut to open Copilot in Windows 11
Did you know you can assign a custom keyboard shortcut to access Copilot on a Windows 11 PC? Here is how.
Step 1: Launch the Copilot app using search.
Step 2: Right-click on the Copilot icon on the taskbar to see the jump list.
Step 3: Now, hold down the Shift key and then right-click the Copilot entry in the jump list (menu), and then click the Create shortcut option.
Step 4: When you get the prompt, click the Yes button to add the Copilot shortcut to the desktop.
Step 5: Right-click the Copilot shortcut on the desktop and then click Properties.
Step 6: Under the Shortcut tab, select the Keyboard shortcuts field. Use Ctrl + Alt + a key of your choice. For instance, Ctrl + Alt + C.
Finally, click the Apply button to assign in the keyboard shortcut.
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