How to remap the Copilot key on Windows 11 (Right Ctrl, another app or PowerToys)

Which method do you need?

You want the key to	Use	Needs
Work as Right Ctrl	Settings, Keyboard page	KB5124010 or later, 24H2 or newer
Open the right-click (Context) menu	Settings, Keyboard page	KB5124010 or later, 24H2 or newer
Open Windows Search or another app	Settings, Text input page	22H2 or later; the app must support it
Do anything else, such as a key combo	PowerToys Keyboard Manager	PowerToys running in the background
Open the app your company chose	Group Policy or Intune	Pro, Enterprise or Education

If Copilot itself is the problem and you’d rather switch it off completely, see how to disable Copilot in Windows 11. This guide only changes what the physical key does.

Turn the Copilot key back into Right Ctrl or the Menu key

Many laptops replaced the Right Ctrl key with the Copilot key, which annoyed anyone who used Right Ctrl for shortcuts or games. Microsoft added a fix as a gradual rollout in the KB5124010 preview update (builds 26100.9550, 26200.9550 and 26300.9550 for Windows 11 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2). Later monthly updates carry it too.

Steps

1. Install the latest update. If KB5124010 isn’t offered yet, see how to force Windows Update to check for updates; it’s an optional preview, so turn on Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available or wait for the next monthly update.
2. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Keyboard.
3. Find the Copilot key option and pick Right Ctrl or Context menu.
4. Press the key in a text box to check it behaves as expected.

The rollout is gradual, so the option may be missing on a fully updated PC for a while. Microsoft lists only 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2 builds for this setting; we couldn’t confirm it for 23H2.

Two catches with Right Ctrl

• According to Microsoft’s Copilot key support page, combinations of the remapped key with the Windows key or with Shift don’t work normally. Use the Left Ctrl key for shortcuts like Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
• Some laptop makers ship their own keyboard utility that can remap this key. Microsoft advises using either the Windows setting or the maker’s tool, not both at once, because they can conflict.

Make the Copilot key open a different app

This option has been around since 2024 on Windows 11 22H2 and later, so most PCs already have it:

1. Open Settings > Personalization > Text input. You can also paste ms-settings:personalization-textinput-copilot-hardwarekey into the Run box (Win+R).
2. Open Customize Copilot key on keyboard.
3. Choose Search to open Windows Search, or Custom to pick an app from a list.

Why isn’t my app in the list? Per Microsoft’s documentation, the key can only open apps that are MSIX packaged, signed, and registered as a Copilot key provider. Many classic desktop programs, scripts and websites can’t be picked. Ask the developer to add support, or use PowerToys (below). If the Microsoft Copilot app itself disappeared from the list, reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.

The Win+C shortcut follows the same choice, so changing the key changes that shortcut as well.

On a work or school PC

Admins can choose which app the key opens with the Set Copilot Hardware Key policy, found under User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot in Group Policy, or as the WindowsAI/SetCopilotHardwareKey setting in Intune. The value is the app’s AUMID (its app ID). It works on Pro, Enterprise and Education from Windows 11 22H2 with the October 2024 update (KB5044380). Details are in the WindowsAI policy reference.

Microsoft says users can still change the assignment in Settings. If the option is greyed out on your work laptop, ask IT before trying to work around it.

Remap the key with PowerToys

When neither setting does what you want, use the free Microsoft PowerToys app. According to the Keyboard Manager page, the Copilot key sends Left Shift + Windows + F23, so you remap that shortcut rather than a single key:

1. Install PowerToys from the Microsoft Store and open Keyboard Manager. Turn it on.
2. Select Remap a shortcut, then Add shortcut remapping.
3. Under the original shortcut, press the Copilot key so it records Win + Shift + F23.
4. Under the new shortcut, choose what you want, such as Ctrl, a different key combo, or an app to launch.
5. Select OK and test the key.

Keep these limits in mind:

• PowerToys must be running, and remaps may not reach apps running as administrator.
• Users on Microsoft Q&A report that because the key already includes Shift, mapping it to Ctrl can break Ctrl+Shift combinations. If you need those, use the Settings method instead.
• Some laptops send a different code for the key. If PowerToys records something other than Win + Shift + F23, use what it records.

If the Windows key itself stops responding after you experiment, see Windows key not working: how to fix it.

Undo a remap

• Keyboard page setting: open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Keyboard and set the Copilot key back to its default.
• Text input setting: choose Copilot or Search again.
• PowerToys: delete the rule in Keyboard Manager or turn Keyboard Manager off.

Planning a feature update? See how to install Windows 11 26H2, then check the key still does what you set.

Related guides

• How to disable Copilot in Windows 11 (and Office and Edge)
• Windows key not working: how to fix it in Windows 11 and 10
• How to force Windows Update to check and install updates
• How to get and install Windows 11 version 26H2 (the 2026 Update)

Official sources

• Microsoft: Understand updates to the Copilot key on Windows devices
• Microsoft Learn: Manage the Copilot experience in Windows
• Microsoft Learn: PowerToys Keyboard Manager