Fed up with Copilot in Windows 11? Microsoft pushing a new keyboard shortcut for the AI isnt likely to help, and it could mess with your desktop mojo

Date:
Fri, 10 Jan 2025 14:20:48 +0000

Description:
When you next update the Copilot app in Windows 11, you might see a pop-up nudging you to use a new shortcut.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Microsof t is nudging folks to use a new keyboard shortcut for Copilot The nudge reportedly arrives via a pop-up after updating the Copilot app The problem is the key combo used could interfere with the existing workflows of some
Windows 11 users

Microsoft is keen to get folks on Windows 11 using its Copilot assistant
more, and the software giant is now flagging up a fresh keyboard shortcut to summon the AI to your desktop.

Windows Latest reports that after updating the Copilot app in Windows 11 remember, the assistant was turned into a standalone app last year, in a separate window, whereas it was previously anchored to the right-hand side of the desktop the tech site received a pop-up promoting the new shortcut for Copilot.

The pop-up tells the user that they can hit Alt + Space as a keyboard
shortcut to fire up the Copilot app. This panel also has a button to click to enable the shortcut, or you can pass on that option and click Not now if you prefer.

This was seen last month in testing, where it was introduced to open Copilots new quick view feature. (The dedicated Copilot key , on PCs that have it, is used to open the assistant in its main view though this key can be reconfigured ).

So, this functionality is seemingly rolling out via an update to the Copilot application, with a fresh prompt to use it. (Image credit: Future) Analysis: Interfering with workflows

Okay, then whats the big deal here? Well, for some Windows 11 users, this wont be important. However, others may have Alt + Space set to something else (PowerToys uses it, for one thing), and moreover, by default, it also brings up the context menu for any active window. Thats part of the core Windows 11 interface, and it might be an ability used regularly in the workflows of some folks.

Meaning that Copilot could mess with those workflows, which could lead to
some frustrations.

Microsoft previously acknowledged this issue in testing, noting that : Many apps use this keyboard shortcut [Alt + Space] today. For any apps installed
on your PC that might utilize this keyboard shortcut, Windows will register whichever app is launched first on your PC and running in the background as the app that is invoked when using Alt + Space.

This isnt exactly clear (to us, anyway), but we take it to mean that with other apps (like the mentioned PowerToys), if you run them first (and not the Copilot app), they will keep the Alt + Space shortcut. However, you wont be able to use Alt + Space as part of the main Windows 11 interface (meaning to summon the context menu for the active window on the desktop), as this isnt
an app (but part of the core UI as mentioned).

This whole setup might change, Microsoft said last month in its blog post for testers, though it appears that the software giant might be going ahead with the plan at this point. That doesnt mean this course cant still be altered,
of course, if enough Windows 11 users complain via the Feedback Hub and usual channels.

Windows Latest points out that you can disable (or enable) the Alt + Space shortcut for Copilot in the apps Settings (accessed via the three-dot menu at the top-right). You may also like... Bing Wallpaper app arrives on Microsoft Store in Windows 11, and its free but there could be hidden costs here A Chrome-killing browser will be OpenAI's next big shot at Google, according to a new report Windows 11 remains an unloved OS but why won't people upgrade?



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/fed-up-with-copilot-in-windows-11- microsoft-pushing-a-new-keyboard-shortcut-for-the-ai-isnt-likely-to-help-and-i t-could-mess-with-your-desktop-mojo


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