Microsoft is experimenting with the idea that we can change what the Copilot key opens.

The age of AI PCs is here and it brings with it a lot of unnecessary fluff. This is fluff, like the outrageous decision to replace a perfectly respectable right Ctrl (Menu key) with a shiny, new Copilot key. This key is a signal to other people nearby that you've got a new computer. By default, it opens the Copilot AI assistant. That was the case.

Microsoft is currently experimenting with the idea of remapping the Copilot key to open other apps. Originally, it appeared that this feature was being tested for the Windows 11 Preview build 22631.4387. However, Microsoft clarified that this "feature will roll out to insiders in Release Preview of Windows 11, version 23H2 later and is not yet rolling out with this update".

The original text (now struck through) stated that the key could be used to open any app, but that it would only work with those that were "in a MSIX package", which "ensures the app meets privacy and security standards in order to keep you safe".

MSIX apps are a new packaging format that is supposed to be safer than the old EXE or MSI formats. However, these apps are few and far between. Even if there are only a few, that's better than none, right? Even when the alternative would be to have a physical key dedicated to unlocking an AI assistant.

The Copilot key was introduced in January and caused quite a stir, mainly because it was the very first button to be added in almost 30 years. (Of course, it's better to say "replaced", rather than "added").

Early in the year, it was also deemed necessary for a PC be considered an AI computer. It's not just the NPU that matters, but also all of the other features. Since then, the key requirement has been less discussed, but they are still on all the new AI PCs so we should get used to them.

If they're going to be around, I suppose that making them remappable could be enough to make the poiso *cough*medicine to go down. It's not the most pleasant way to do it, but better than nothing. We're crossing our fingers that this gets through testing and more apps are compatible.