Jun 24, 2024 23:00:00

It turns out that keyboard shortcuts for AI assistant 'Copilot' will be removed from Windows 11

Microsoft has included the generative AI assistant tool '

Microsoft Copilot ' in Windows 10/11, and in May 2024 announced the ' Copilot+ PC ', a PC category suitable for running AI workloads. However, in the development build of Windows 11 released in June 2024, it was discovered that the Copilot experience was reduced and keyboard shortcuts were abolished.

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.3785 (Beta Channel) | Windows Insider Blog
https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2024/06/14/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-22635-3785-beta-channel/

Microsoft makes Copilot less useful on new Copilot Plus PCs - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/21/24182979/microsoft-copilot-key-keyboard-shortcut-pwa

The introduction of Copilot is a major change for Microsoft, and the standard keyboard of the Copilot+ PC includes a new 'Copilot key.' This is the first time in 30 years that a new key has been added to the standard keyboard of Windows, which shows how significant the introduction of Copilot is.

Microsoft to add new key to standard PC keyboard for the first time in 30 years, 'Copilot' key to access generative AI tool appears - GIGAZINE

However, in the development build 'Build 22635.3785 (KB5039319)' released in Insider Preview in June 2024, Copilot will not be available from the traditional sidebar, but will be treated similarly to an 'app pinned to the taskbar.'

In addition, the previously available keyboard shortcut to launch Copilot with Windows key + C will also be discontinued. Microsoft explains that this change is 'part of our efforts to evolve the Copilot experience on Windows into a taskbar-pinned app.'

Tom Warren, editor of The Verge, a foreign media outlet, said, 'The Copilot web app is not integrated into Windows, like the Copilot experience from last year was. So you can't use Copilot to control Windows 11 settings or dock it as a sidebar. It's literally just a Progressive Web App (PWA) .' He expressed a negative view that Copilot's usefulness has decreased.

Microsoft did not explain why it changed Copilot from an experience integrated into Windows to just a web app with no control over Windows settings, but said the change gives users the benefits of an app experience, such as the ability to resize, move, and snap windows.

'Microsoft says these changes will allow them to 'develop and optimize' the Copilot experience more agilely, so there may be changes in the future that make this regression acceptable,' Warren said. However, he noted that if you have the Copilot app pinned to your taskbar, you probably won't need a dedicated Copilot key.