The New Key on Your Keyboard: Why Microsoft Added a Copilot Button
On January 4, 2024, Microsoft announced the Copilot key—the first major keyboard change in 30 years. AI was now hardware-level.
On January 4, 2024, Microsoft announced something unprecedented: a new key on PC keyboards.
The Copilot key would sit where the Windows menu key used to be, giving instant access to Microsoft's AI assistant.
It was the first major PC keyboard change in 30 years—and a signal that AI had become fundamental to computing.
Why Hardware Matters
Software comes and goes. Hardware commits.
By building Copilot into keyboards, Microsoft was declaring: AI assistants aren't a trend, they're infrastructure.
Just like the Windows key defined the PC era, the Copilot key would define the AI era.
What It Does
Press the Copilot key, and Microsoft's AI assistant appears instantly:
- Ask questions
- Generate content
- Control settings
- Search across apps
No alt-tabbing, no hunting for the app. One button, immediate AI.
The Rollout
The key appears on:
- New Windows 11 PCs (2024+)
- Surface devices
- Partner manufacturer keyboards
Older keyboards can still access Copilot through shortcuts, but the dedicated key is for new hardware only.
Where Are They Now?
The Copilot key is now standard on new Windows PCs. Whether it becomes as ubiquitous as the Windows key depends on AI assistant adoption.
January 4, 2024 was the day AI moved from software feature to hardware standard—literally built into the keyboard.