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Microsoft admits Windows 11's dedicated Copilot key breaks certain workflows: Confirms plans to let users restore "Right Ctrl" or "Context menu" key later this year
Windows 11's special Copilot Key has not been the popular hit that Microsoft was hoping it would be, and has now confirmed plans to let users remap the button back to its old functionality.
Do you find this key useless? Microsoft has an update for you.(Image credit: Windows Central)
Microsoft has confirmed that later this year, Windows 11 will receive an update that introduces the ability to remap the unpopular Copilot key back to being a "Right Ctrl" or "Context Menu" key instead, admitting that the Copilot key that began appearing on new PCs in 2024 broke workflows for certain people.
"Customers who rely on the Right Ctrl key or Context menu key for keyboard shortcuts or assistive technologies (such as screen readers) experienced some challenges to their workflows when using these devices," a Microsoft support document says. "A Windows 11 update will ship later this year that will add a setting option to let you remap the Copilot key to act as the Context menu key or Right Ctrl key."
This update will be a godsend for anyone who has ever relied on the right control or context menu key for their workflow, as you'll now be able to restore that functionality natively within the OS. This will be especially useful for anyone who doesn't find value in a dedicated keyboard key for launching the Copilot app.
Once available, users will be able to head into Windows Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Keyboard to change the behavior of the Copilot key. Some PC manufacturers already include the ability to remap the Copilot key in their own on-device software, but this new option from Microsoft will apply universally to all Windows 11 PCs with a Copilot key.
Microsoft also recently added the ability to remap the Copilot key to open either Windows Search or another app, though it appears there aren't any third-party apps that actually support being opened with the Copilot key natively at current.
Now, the company has confirmed that users will be able to customize the Copilot key further and change it back into either a right control key or context menu key, which many will likely prefer. It's good to see Microsoft finally admitting that it might've made a bit of a misstep with the new Copilot key, and will let users change it to whatever best suits them later this year.
Microsoft has made a number of good updates to Windows 11 in recent weeks, with plans to introduce even more highly requested features such as the ability to move the Taskbar and pause Windows updates indefinitely in the pipeline. The company is clearly committed to addressing Windows 11's top issues as part of its ongoing Windows K2 effort.
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Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central and has been with the site since 2016. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows, Surface, and hardware. He's also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter and Threads
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