Getting started with Copilot on Windows
If the Copilot app is not already on your Windows PC, go to how to install Copilot on Windows. On new Windows 11 PCs, the Copilot app should already be installed by default. You can find the Copilot app pinned to the taskbar or on the Start menu.
Once installed, open the Copilot app and sign in using your personal Microsoft Account. Signing into Copilot gives you access to your chat history, image creation, longer conversations, voice interactions, and other Copilot features.
Features
Copilot on Windows generally supports all the same features available on copilot.microsoft.com, with some important differences:
Shortcut key and Quick View
Press to talk
Device context
See below for more information about each of these features.
Shortcut Key and Quick View
You can bring up Copilot at any time in Windows by pressing Alt + Spacebar. A smaller version of the Copilot interface will appear allowing you to type in a prompt.
To disable or re-enable the Copilot app keyboard shortcut, go to Account > Settings > Open Copilot using Alt + Spacebar shortcut and toggle the switch.
Press to talk
Press to talk in allows you to interact with Copilot with your voice by using a hotkey, providing instant responses while staying in your current workflow and continuing tasks without interruption.
How to use Press to talk:
To start a voice conversation with Copilot, hold Alt + Spacebar for at least 2 seconds on your PC. A microphone will appear on the screen when Copilot is ready for voice commands.
Note: The first time you use Press to talk, you may need to give Copilot permission to access your Microphone.
To end your conversation, press the Esc key or press the X icon next to the microphone. Also, if no one speaks to Copilot for several seconds, Copilot will automatically end the conversation. When the conversation is over the microphone icon on the screen will disappear.
How to configure Press to talk in the Copilot app:
To disable or re-enable Press to talk, go to Account > Settings > Press and hold Alt + Spacebar to quickly talk to Copilot and toggle the switch.
To change the behavior so you need to press and hold the shortcut key to continue talking, go to Account > Settings > How to talk to Copilot and change from Press to talk to Press and hold to talk.
Device context
Copilot on Windows can help answer questions about how to use your device. Ask questions like "How do I set up a Bluetooth headset on my PC?" and Copilot will provide an answer tailored to your current OS.
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