Microsoft To Make The Biggest Change To Windows Keyboards In 30 Years

Technology Edited by Akhil Thomas Published: Jan 04, 2024, 2:48 pm

Microsoft To Make The Biggest Change To Windows Keyboards In 30 Years (Image: Microsoft)

Microsoft is all set to make a significant change to the Windows PC keyboard in nearly three decades. The software giant announced on January 4 that a new Copilot key will be added to a variety of new PCs and laptops from Microsoft’s partners. Copilot, an AI assistant in Windows, helps users with a variety of tasks.

“Today, we are excited to take the next significant step forward and introduce the Copilot key to Windows 11 PCs,” said Yusuf Mehdi, executive vice president and consumer chief marketing officer at Microsoft, in a blog post. With this surprising move, Microsoft wants 2024 to be “the year of the AI PC.” Yusuf Mehdi said that the introduction of the Copilot key will empower people to participate in the AI transformation more easily.

We’re excited for 2024 to be the year of the AI PC. An important first step is the introduction of a Copilot key for Windows 11 PCs, which will enable one-click access to Copilot! Learn more: https://t.co/3FHre8YdWn pic.twitter.com/PvadEPfZBb

— Yusuf Mehdi (@yusuf_i_mehdi) January 4, 2024

The Copilot key will join the Windows key as a core part of the PC keyboard. “When pressed, the new key will invoke the Copilot in Windows experience to make it seamless to engage Copilot in your day to day,” added Yusuf Mehdi in the blog. As per the image in the Microsoft blog, the new Copilot key will replace the right Control key on the standard PC keyboard, and it will be placed between the Alt key and the left arrow key. The new key simply launches the Windows Copilot, offering a ChatGPT-like chatbot that can take actions inside Windows or answer queries.

Microsoft introduced the Windows key to the PC keyboard in 1994. Microsoft says that it has enabled people all over the world to interact with Windows. Microsoft also mentioned that the appearance of the Copilot key will be a transformative moment in their journey and added that Copilot will be the entry point into the world of AI on the PC. The first keyboards with the new key will be unveiled at CES 2024, and they are expected to start shipping in late February. Notably, Microsoft also said that when the Copilot feature is not available or enabled on a device, pressing the new Copilot key will launch Windows Search.