Microsoft is giving up control of the Copilot key

By Judy Sanhz Published September 26, 2024

Microsoft OneDrive files can sync between a PC and a phone. — Microsoft

In a Windows Insider Blog post, Microsoft recently announced that it is rolling out the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4225 (KB5043186) update. It’s a relatively small update, but it finally gives users control of the dedicated Copilot key that’s showing up on an increasing number of laptops.

In the blog post, Microsoft detailed how it is giving users more customization freedom by adding the option to configure the Copilot key, which can open an app that’s MSIX packaged and signed. This is good news since the app meets security and privacy requirements to keep your PC safe. When the option is available more broadly, you should find it by going to Settings > Personalization> Text Input.

Recommended Videos

There is no official information about when you might see the feature in the stable version, but hopefully, it will be soon. Microsoft also throws in some valuable reminders, such as that the updates are based on Windows 11, version 23H2. So, if you have version 22H2, you have until October 8to get the necessary update.

On the unofficial side of Windows 11, users could get a “Hand Off” feature that makes switching devices a breeze. X (formerly Twitter ) user @techsarusrex pointed out the feature, which makes switching devices and resuming work from your phone easier. Currently, the feature is concealed by a system flag that you can turn on using the ViVeTool as MSPowerUser reports.

Windows 11 will be getting some new continue from device/handoff capabilities (seen in build 22635.4225) https://t.co/xxD7GiQz5J pic.twitter.com/kOMNYUJGDm

— techosarusrex (@techosarusrex) September 21, 2024

If you stop working on a document on your phone and then fire up your computer, you’ll get a notification asking if you want to pick up where you left off. Apple users have a feature called Handoff that allows them to start a task on their iPhone or iPad and continue on their Mac, and it looks like Windows is getting something similar.

Topics

Computing Writer

Judy Sanhz is a Digital Trends computing writer covering all computing news. Loves all operating systems and devices.

Computing

Nearly six months later, you can finally try out Windows 11 Recall

Recall promotional image.

After a tumultuous initial reaction and months of reworking, Microsoft is finally releasing the first preview of its controversial Recall feature today. If you're a Windows Insider with a Qualcomm Copilot+ PC, you can install a new build of Windows 11 that includes both Recall and Click to Do.

If you're not part of the Windows Insider Program but you want to try out this feature, it's pretty easy to sign up on the Microsoft website. Recall was first announced back before any of the Copilot+ PCs were released and was meant to be available at launch, but an outcry of privacy and security concerns forced Microsoft to delay it.

Computing

With Copilot Actions, Microsoft brings AI agents to Outlook, Teams, and more

microsoft expanding ai agents 365 copilot early 2025 actions2

Microsoft plans to roll out a slew of new features for its business-facing 365 Copilot products starting early next year, the company announced during its Microsoft Ignite 2024 event on Tuesday.

365 Copilot, which was rebranded from just Copilot in September, enables businesses to incorporate Microsoft Copilot generative AI into its Microsoft 365 family of apps (as well as in Teams) for a $30/employee/month subscription.

Computing

Microsoft is, once again, trying to force users into using Edge

Microsoft Edge on a laptop on a couch.

Microsoft has deployed no shortage of tactics to get Windows users onto its Edge browser, and although some of the more nefarious methods of trying to force users to pick up the browser have failed, the company is still experimenting with new methods. The latest route launches Edge automatically on your PC on startup and prompts users to continually import data from Chrome, including your history, bookmarks, and tabs.

Richard Lawler from The Verge spotted the prompt, which showed up earlier this year without explanation before disappearing. It's back now, and in an official capacity from Microsoft. "This is a notification giving people the choice to import data from other browsers," said Microsoft's Caitlin Roulston in a statement to The Verge.

nproxy.org