Subj : Windows 11 loses keyboard shortcut for Copilot, making us wonder To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Fri Jun 21 2024 10:45:05 Windows 11 loses keyboard shortcut for Copilot, making us wonder if this is a cynical move by Microsoft to stoke Copilot+ PC sales Date: Fri, 21 Jun 2024 09:33:31 +0000 Description: Did you use the keyboard shortcut for Copilot in Windows 11? Well, its getting binned and for no good reason we can see. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Whats going to drive Copilot+ PC sales, do you think? Superb AI acceleration chops? Windows on Arm getting emulation nailed for fast app and gaming performance (on Snapdragon X models)? No its the Copilot key on the keyboard , dummy. Surprised? Well, we certainly are, but apparently one of Microsofts selling points for Copilot+ PCs is the dedicated key to summon the AI on the keyboard. We can draw that unexpected conclusion from a move Microsoft just made which seems pretty mystifying otherwise: namely the removal of the keyboard shortcut for Copilot from Windows 11. As flagged up by Toms Hardware , the new Windows 11 preview (build 22635) in the Beta channel has dumped the keyboard shortcut (Windows key + C) that brings up the Copilot panel. This is an update that just happened (on June 19), after the preview build initially emerged on June 14. Microsoft explains very vaguely that: As part of the Copilot experiences evolution on Windows to become an app that is pinned to the taskbar, we are retiring the WIN + C keyboard shortcut. (Image credit: Future / James Holland) Analysis: A cynical move by Microsoft? What now? How is removing a useful keyboard shortcut part of the evolution of Copilot? Surely, its a step backwards to drop one of the ways to invoke the AI assistant to the desktop? Now, if Microsoft had big plans for the Windows + C shortcut elsewhere, say another piece of functionality that had come in which required this particular combo, the reasoning might at least be a little clearer. But by all accounts, theres no replacement function here Windows + C now does nothing. As for the reason somehow being tied to Copilot shifting to become an app window , rather than a locked side panel in Windows 11, we dont see how that has any relevance at all to whether you can open the AI with a keyboard shortcut or not. As Toms Guide points out, seemingly the driver for this change is to make the Copilot key on the keyboard a more pivotal function, replacing the shortcut, but guess what you only get that key on new Copilot+ PCs (right now anyway). So, the logical conclusion for the skeptical is that this is simply a fresh angle on helping to stoke sales for Copilot+ PCs. Its not like you cant just click on the Copilot icon, of course, so youre not lost at sea with no AI assistance all of a sudden but thats not the point. It is a lost convenience, clearly though, and it feels like a cynical move by Microsoft. Toms Guide points out that you could use third-party key mapping software to restore the functionality of this particular shortcut, but the point is, you really shouldnt have to bother jumping through such hoops. Come on, Microsoft dont pull stunts like this, or, if there is a good reason behind the change, share it, not some waffling soundbites about evolving Copilot. You might also like... Microsofts embarrassment over Recall fiasco gets worse as Windows 11 feature becomes the butt of Apple execs joke Windows 11 remains an unloved OS but why won't people upgrade? Dont make these 5 big mistakes when using Windows 11 ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/windows-11-loses-keyboard-shortcut -for-copilot-making-us-wonder-if-this-is-a-cynical-move-by-microsoft-to-stoke- copilot-pc-sales --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .