Personalization Customize what Copilot Key on Keyboard or Win+C Opens in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to change (remap) the action or which app opens when you press the hardware Copilot key or Windows + C keys for your account or all users in Windows 11.

If you have a Windows 11 Copilot+ PC, it will have a Copilot key on the keyboard. When you press this Copilot key, it opens the Copilot app by default.

With the new Copilot app, you can search and access your Copilot anytime, anywhere. Ask your Copilot anything you want, from trivia questions to creating images. Like a friend, Copilot will give you quick and helpful answers, along with suggestions for what to do next. You can even use voice to search or chat, and your history and preferences will sync across all your devices.

Starting with Windows 11 build 22631.4391 (23H2) and build 26100.2161 (24H2), Microsoft is adding the ability to configure the Copilot key. You can choose to have the Copilot key launch an app that is MSIX packaged and signed, thus indicating the app meets security and privacy requirements to keep customers safe. The key will continue to launch Copilot on devices that have the Copilot app installed until a customer selects a different experience.

Starting with Windows 11 build 26100.9539 (24H2 RP), build 26200.9535 (25H2 RP), and build 26300.9539 (26H2 RP) for Insiders, this update introduces a new Windows 11 setting that lets you remap the Copilot key to function as the Right Ctrl or Context Menu key, helping preserve familiar keyboard shortcuts and accessibility workflows. For more information, see Understand updates to the Copilot key on Windows devices.

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EXAMPLE: Copilot key on keyboard of Windows 11 Copilot+ PC






1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on Bluetooth & devices on the left side, and click/tap on Keyboard on the right side. (see screenshot below)



3 Select an available option you want to use in the Customize Copilot key on keyboard drop menu. (see screenshot below)

The Customize Copilot key on keyboard setting is saved to the BrandedKeyChoiceType and AppAumid values in the registry key below for the current user.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BrandedKey

4 If you selected Open an app, then select a supported app you want, and click/tap on Select. (see screenshot below)


5 You can now close Settings if you like.

You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.

The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).

2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)



3 In the right pane of Windows Copilot in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Set Copilot Hardware Key policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (change) or step 6 (undo - default) below for what you want.

This will override and gray out Option One.

This policy setting is saved to the SetCopilotHardwareKey string value (REG_SZ) in the registry key below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CopilotKey

This is the default setting to allow using Option One.

This policy setting will delete the SetCopilotHardwareKey string value (REG_SZ) in the registry key below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CopilotKey

7 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink