- Windows 11 could again be adorned with the ‘Windows Key + C’ Road to convene Copilot
- This keyboard shortcut was removed from Windows 11 last year for reasons why it is difficult to understand, honestly
- Microsoft now seems to have had other thoughts of banishing the shortcut – or such suggests a rumor
There are some potentially good news for Windows 11 users missing out on the old keyboard shortcut that claimed copilot as early hints have been dropped that this functionality could be reintroduced by Microsoft.
The keyboard shortcut – which is ‘Windows Key + C’ – essentially served as a replacement for those who do not have a dedicated copilot key (as seen on Copilot + PCs as the new Dell XPS 13) to convene the AI assistant.
According to Phantomofearth on X, a regular source of gossip and leaks for Windows, “Microsoft is experimenting with bringing back” this keyboard combination.
Microsoft is experimenting with bringing back the Windows Key + C keyboard shortcut. It will do the same action as the Copilot key so it can be customized in settings. “Choose what happens when you press the Copilot key or Windows Logo Key + C”March 23, 2025
I assume that Phantomofearth has revealed clues in a recent preview of Windows 11 to indicate that this process is underway, but they do not make it clear.
As noticed, like the Copilot key, you will be able to customize the function of this shortcut in settings. So if you are not using the AI assistant, you can get Windows + C to perform another action that is more useful to your particular way of working.
Analysis: Cleared for landing on your keyboard (after being in a holding pattern for a long time)
In fact, there is quite a back story here that you may not be aware of. Many moons ago, Windows + C was used to shoot up Cortana, but when the AI assistant was ditched (back in 2023), the Microsoft transferred the shortcut to Copilot.
Then, in what was a marvel at the time, the keyboard shortcut in mid -2024 was disconnected from the copilot – the reasons why Microsoft was best known. As I observed at the time, the more cynical suggest that it provided extra value to the convenience of the dedicated copilot key, which effectively makes it more of a (easy) point of sale for copilot+ laptops, at least in theory.
(I should also note that Windows at the latest, which discovered the above post, points out that Microsoft at that time claimed that the use of the Windows key in connection with the “Copilot” number position attached to your process bar “removed from the shortcut – it just didn’t matter).
In any case, no matter what justification was then, Microsoft will seem to be turning course now – and it’s time. Well, I say that in the full knowledge that no AI chickens should be counted yet -not until we actually see this keyboard shortcut, which officially regains in the test as a way to get the Copilot app. For the time being, this is just a tip that Microsoft is busy reintroducing this small but potentially useful feature.
Even if you do not use copilot in Windows 11, you are likely to appreciate having the ability to redefine the shortcut to something else, rather than the combination that is sleeping. Although I guess this ability could come filled with the same limitations as the conversion of the dedicated copilot key to another feature, namely that only some apps can be linked to it – but who knows, maybe it will not be.
