Microsoft kicks off new Copilot key: First such move in 30 Years

On New things in 2024 Microsoft kicking off with a significant change to the keyboard for new laptops and PCs. A new entry of Copilot key will ship on a diversity of new PCs and laptops from Microsoft’s partners. And it’s providing quick access to Microsoft’s AI-powered Windows Copilot experience straight from a keyboard button press.

The first major change to their keyboards since the Windows key was added nearly 30 years ago. Officially new button known as the Copilot key, and ties into the eponymous AI already folded into Bing searches, Microsoft Office and Windows 11. In this year, we will be ushering in a significant shift toward a more personal and intelligent computing future where AI will be woven into Windows from the system, to the silicon, to the hardware. This will not only change people’s computing experience but also amplifies it, making 2024 the year of the AI PC.

What is Copilot Key and its function?

Copilot Key, an AI integration tool introduced by Microsoft, is being added to Windows keyboards, marking the company’s first major embarrassing keyboard change in almost three decades. The Copilot key, located close to the space bar and Alt key and featuring the Copilot logo, aims to simplify and amplify the computing experience by seamlessly weaving AI into Windows.

Microsoft says, introduce the copilot key is empowering people to take part in the AI transformation more easily. This is marking the first significant change to the Windows keyboard in nearly 3 decades, as we kick off the year of the AI PC.

Copilot key will, predictably, open the Copilot AI assistant within Windows 10 and Windows 11. On an up-to-date Windows PC with Copilot enabled, you can presently do the same thing by pressing Windows + C. For PCs without Copilot, including those that aren’t signed with Microsoft accounts. The Copilot key will be open in Windows Search instead.

Yusuf Mehdi, the Microsoft’s executive vice president says, Copilot will be the entry point into the world of AI on the PC in Microsoft. If Copilot is not available or enabled on the device, then touching the key will launch Windows’ search function alone.

The copilot button is compared to the Windows key, introduced nearly 30 years ago, and is positioned as the entry point into the world of AI on the PC. Tech giant has integrated generative AI in some of its products. Windows 11 and Microsoft’s search engine Bing already have got these characteristics. The Copilot button is expected to be present on upcoming Windows 11 laptops and PCs from Microsoft partner companies.