How to Remap or Reassign the Copilot Key on a Windows 11 Keyboard

Many modern Windows 11 laptops and desktop keyboards now ship with a dedicated Copilot key, typically located between the right Alt and Ctrl keys. By default, pressing this key launches Microsoft Copilot (or Microsoft 365 Copilot, depending on your licence). If you rarely use Copilot or prefer launching a different application, Windows 11 allows you to remap this key to open an alternative program, a custom shortcut, or disable it entirely.

What the Copilot Key Does by Default

On supported hardware, the Copilot key sends a unique scancode that Windows 11 intercepts. The operating system maps this scancode to the Copilot experience:

• Windows 11 with Copilot enabled: Opens the Copilot sidebar or Copilot app.
• Windows 11 without Copilot: Opens Windows Search.
• Devices in regions where Copilot is unavailable: The key may open Windows Search or do nothing.

Microsoft introduced official support for remapping the Copilot key in Windows 11 version 24H2 and later updates, giving users flexibility to customise the key’s behaviour without third-party software.

Requirements for Remapping the Copilot Key

Before remapping, confirm the following prerequisites:

• Windows 11 version 24H2 or later. Earlier versions do not include the native remapping feature. Check your version by pressing Win + I → System → About.
• A keyboard with a physical Copilot key. Not all keyboards include this key. If your keyboard uses a standard layout without a Copilot key, this guide does not apply.
• Administrator access is not required for the Settings method, but Registry modifications require admin privileges.

Remap the Copilot Key Using Windows 11 Settings

Microsoft added a native remapping option directly in the Settings app. This is the simplest approach and does not require editing the Windows Registry.

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Personalisation → Text input.
3. Scroll down to the Copilot key section (labelled “Customise Copilot key on keyboard” or similar, depending on your build).
4. Select one of the available options:
   • Copilot (default): Launches the Copilot app.
   • Microsoft 365: Opens the Microsoft 365 app or Office hub.
   • Search: Opens Windows Search.
   • Custom: Allows you to specify a Microsoft Store app to launch.
5. If you select Custom, choose the installed Microsoft Store app you want to assign to the key.
6. Close Settings. The change takes effect immediately.

This method only allows remapping to Microsoft Store apps or the predefined options. If you need to launch a desktop (Win32) application, use PowerToys or the Registry method below.

Remap the Copilot Key Using Microsoft PowerToys Keyboard Manager

If the built-in Settings method is too restrictive, Microsoft PowerToys provides a more flexible remapping tool that works with any keyboard key.

1. Install Microsoft PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or from the official GitHub repository.
2. Open PowerToys and navigate to Keyboard Manager in the left sidebar.
3. Ensure Keyboard Manager is toggled On.
4. Click Remap a key.
5. Click + Add key remapping.
6. Under Physical Key, click the input field and press the Copilot key on your keyboard. PowerToys should detect and display the key scancode.
7. Under Mapped To, select your preferred action:
   • Map it to another key (e.g., F20 for use with other automation tools).
   • Map it to a key combination (e.g., Ctrl + Shift + M to launch a custom shortcut).
   • Map it to Disable to deactivate the key entirely.
8. Click OK to save.

PowerToys runs as a background process. If you close PowerToys or it fails to start, the remapping will not be active. To ensure persistent remapping, configure PowerToys to launch at startup via its General settings.

Remap the Copilot Key Using the Windows Registry

For advanced users who prefer a system-level solution without third-party software, the Windows Registry offers direct scancode remapping. This method works even without PowerToys running.

Warning: Editing the Registry incorrectly can cause system instability. Create a System Restore point before proceeding.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout
3. Right-click in the right pane and select New → Binary Value.
4. Name it Scancode Map.
5. Double-click Scancode Map and enter the binary data to remap the Copilot key scancode to your preferred key. The specific hex values depend on which key you want to map to.
   • To disable the key entirely, map the Copilot scancode to 00 00 (null).
6. Click OK and restart your computer.

The Copilot key’s scancode varies between keyboard manufacturers. If PowerToys or other key detection tools identify the scancode, use that value in your Scancode Map entry. Common implementations use the same scancode as the left Windows key modifier with a vendor-specific prefix.

Launch a Desktop Application with the Copilot Key

If your goal is to launch a specific desktop application (not a Microsoft Store app), combine the PowerToys method with a shortcut key:

1. Create a desktop shortcut for the application you want to launch.
2. Right-click the shortcut → Properties.
3. In the Shortcut key field, assign a keyboard shortcut (e.g., Ctrl + Alt + T).
4. Click Apply and OK.
5. In PowerToys Keyboard Manager, remap the Copilot key to the same shortcut (Ctrl + Alt + T).

Pressing the Copilot key will now trigger the shortcut key combination, which Windows intercepts and uses to launch the associated desktop application.

Disable the Copilot Key Entirely

If you simply want the Copilot key to do nothing:

• Using Settings: Some builds allow selecting a “None” or “Disabled” option under the Copilot key customisation.
• Using PowerToys: Map the key to Disable in Keyboard Manager.
• Using Registry: Map the scancode to null (00 00).

Troubleshooting Common Issues

The Copilot Key Option Does Not Appear in Settings

This setting requires Windows 11 version 24H2 or later and a keyboard with a recognised Copilot key. Update Windows to the latest version and check whether your keyboard manufacturer has released firmware updates that properly expose the Copilot key scancode.

PowerToys Does Not Detect the Copilot Key

Some keyboard manufacturers implement the Copilot key differently. If PowerToys cannot detect the key press during remapping, try updating PowerToys to the latest version. Alternatively, use a key detection utility such as SharpKeys or Key History in AutoHotkey to identify the exact scancode, then enter it manually in PowerToys.

The Remapping Stops Working After a Windows Update

Major Windows updates occasionally reset Registry-based scancode mappings. After feature updates, verify that your Scancode Map entry still exists under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout. PowerToys-based remappings persist as long as PowerToys continues running at startup.

The Key Still Opens Copilot Despite Remapping

Certain Windows policies, particularly in managed enterprise environments, may enforce the Copilot key behaviour via Group Policy. Check with your IT administrator whether a policy is overriding your local settings. In Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc), navigate to User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Copilot to review applicable policies.

Which Method Should You Use?

Method	Best For	Limitations
Windows Settings	Simple remapping to Microsoft Store apps	Cannot launch desktop apps; limited options
PowerToys	Flexible remapping to any key or shortcut	Requires PowerToys running in background
Registry	System-level remapping without third-party tools	Requires reboot; may reset after updates

For most users, the Windows Settings approach provides the simplest experience. Power users who want to launch a specific desktop application or assign a custom shortcut should use PowerToys Keyboard Manager. The Registry method is best reserved for system administrators deploying consistent key mappings across multiple machines.

Regardless of the method you choose, the remapping is reversible. In Settings, revert to the Copilot default; in PowerToys, delete the remapping entry; in the Registry, delete the Scancode Map value and restart.