Hate the Copilot Key? Here's How to Finally Turn It Off

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Hate the Copilot Key? Here's How to Finally Turn It Off

Microsoft acknowledged the introduction of the key on many new Windows laptops had caused 'challenges' for some users, and is set to roll out a way to permanently disable it.
By Will McCurdy
July 25, 2026
Microsoft Keyboard
(Credit: Microsoft )

Not everyone was happy about the introduction of the Copilot key to Windows PCs, which began rolling out en masse in 2024. Many users complained about the loss of the Right Ctrl key, which Copilot replaced on many Windows laptops, claiming it disrupted their workflows or stopped them using many handy keyboard shortcuts.

Now, the tech giant is soon to roll out a "kill switch" for the controversial key. According to a recent support document, first spotted by Windows Latest, Microsoft will soon let you switch the Copilot key back to the Right Ctrl key, or simply switch it off entirely. Users gained the ability to map the key to another AI app, including OpenAI's ChatGPT or Anthropic's Claude, back in late 2024, but it still wasn't possible to kill it off entirely.

Microsoft didn't specify when the latest change would roll out to users.
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But when the change does roll out, you'll need to head to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Keyboard to remap the Copilot key. If you can't wait that long and would like to simply remap the key right now, head to Settings > Personalization > Text input and then press the drop-down box next to the Customize Copilot key.

In the support doc, Microsoft acknowledged some of the issues which Windows users had with the key, saying that many who relied on the Right Ctrl key or Context menu key for keyboard shortcuts or assistive technologies like screen readers "experienced some challenges to their workflows when using these devices."
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Though turning off the dedicated Copilot key may soon be relatively breezy, turning off Copilot altogether is a different story. Though technically possible on managed devices, you'll need to meet a hefty number of requirements including not launching the Microsoft Copilot app for 28 days, which means disabling automatic starting and managing to not hit the button for almost a month.

Regardless of your own thoughts on Copilot, Microsoft's top brass have been very clear about its importance to the future of the company, with CEO Satya Nadella even saying that Microsoft was now 'the Copilot company' at the 2023 Ignite conference.