Mapping Copilot (F23) -> CTRL not working

[Geexp]

Microsoft PowerToys version

0.79.0

Installation method

PowerToys auto-update

Running as admin

No

Area(s) with issue?

Keyboard Manager

Steps to reproduce

I am trying to map the Copilot / F23 on my new keyboard back to CTRL

I have set up the below configuration but it is not working

✔️ Expected Behavior

That the CoPilot key functions like the CTRL key

❌ Actual Behavior

The CoPilolt key now does nothing when pressed

Other Software

No response

[Jay-o-Way]

I am willing to bet that the physical button sends a combination. Try and use "Remap a shortcut" and let us know if that helps.
/needinfo

[Geexp]

Hi Jay

When I went to map the key and press the Copilot button, it came up then as F23 (rather than me choosing this).

As its just a single key, I'm not clear how to remap it using the shortcut feature. I tried Win+C, but that remaps that shortcut, but not the Copilot key. I also tried LeftWindows + LeftShift + F23 but that hasnt worked either.

My machine is a new Dell XPS 16 with the key now built in.

[Jay-o-Way]

Try and open "remap a shortcut" in Keyboard manager. Then press the button, like you did.

[Geexp]

Hi Jay, I have tried that, and I have added a shortcut mapping as below, but this still does not give the desired results

I've also tried mapping it to "X" and other keys, but the Copilot key simply stops working.

Incidentally, when I click OK to confirm and close the shortcut setup box, the underlying PowerToys dashboard window closes abruptly, though the PowerToys icon remains in the taskbar.

[Jay-o-Way]

Hm. This key is relatively new, so I don't know for sure how it exactly works. Another idea: is the keyboard compatible with the MS Mouse and Keyboard app? Maybe you can change something in there.

[Geexp]

Hi Jay, no I don't believe it is, its the built in keyboard on the laptop.

Would be great to get this working in PowerToys as I can't believe I'm the only person who will wan to remap this crazy key (at least until Copilot becomes more useful).

[itswyll]

Hey, I'm not sure if you've fixed this yourself, but I had some success with this by remapping it as a shortcut specifically via PowerToys like so. Hopefully this sorts you out as well. Had to make sure to remove the other mappings from the key section though as it interfered with this one when I had both like in the screenshot above.

[tkhyn]

Willing to get rid of the Copilot key too on a laptop keyboard where I really need the right ctrl (Ctrl + / to comment or uncomment code), I ended up with the same shortcut as @itswyll. However it does not work all the time. To make the Copilot button behave as the Ctrl key in combination I have to hit and release the Copilot button first, and only then the Ctrl + other key combination works.

@itswyll do combinations work all the time first time for you or is your experience similar to what I'm observing?

[Jay-o-Way]

I say this is something Microsoft should deal with

[itswyll]

Willing to get rid of the Copilot key too on a laptop keyboard where I really need the right ctrl (Ctrl + / to comment or uncomment code), I ended up with the same shortcut as @itswyll. However it does not work all the time. To make the Copilot button behave as the Ctrl key in combination I have to hit and release the Copilot button first, and only then the Ctrl + other key combination works.

@itswyll do combinations work all the time first time for you or is your experience similar to what I'm observing?

It works on the first try for me. I'm on a Lenovo Yoga. My use case is the same as yours with 'ctrl + /' and 'ctrl + backspace'

This is the edit view for my shortcut. I didnt make any other changes other than this one, so I don't have much else I can add unfortunately.

[tkhyn]

Thanks @itswyll, I have the exact same mapping on a Lenovo Legion Pro, and this is the only one I have.

The 'wake up call' after focussing the window seems to be systematically needed for all the applications I use (CLion, VSCode, Firefox). I'll keep observing / investigating and will report here. Before finding this solution I did a few tests with AutoHotKeys but AHK is no longer running so I doubt it will have changed anything.

[ChrisLynnCL]

I just opened a very similar issue #33589 on Jul 1, 2024: "Keyboard Manager Doesn't Remap key F23 to Ctrl key, instead Remaps it to Ctrl+Shft ." I have tried it with the same Remap a Shortcut configuration described above, and pictured below. BUT, It just now worked properly as Ctrl key when I deleted a Remap Key instruction that was also listed, which must have been interfering. I still don't understand the "Win + Shift + F23" instructions, which self populated when I pressed the pencil button and then pressed the copilot key. I'm using a Lenovo -IdeaPad Slim 5i with Windows 11. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll close my issue#, but it has some details.

[Alex-4240]

Interesting additional finding: I've just tried assigning e.g. a character key (A, B, C...) as the one to be sent when tapping on the Copilot key - in these cases, the new mapping is functioning properly from the first tap on. Whereas, if I try to assign CTRL or CTRL (right) or CTRL (left) to the Copilot key, it is just disabled and nothing is sent when tapping it.

@ChrisLynnCL I could not reproduce your workaround. The issue still exists even after deleting everything under "Remap a key".

PowerToys v0.85.1
Win11

[perfectnewer]

my asus zenbook remapping work now. after tried, use remapping keys (maybe) not remapping key

when record key only need press copilot key, it will record three keys. and don't select
and remove all other copilot key mapping

[Ron1933]

So weird that with my ASUS Expertbook i do exactly the mapping as suggested here (by ChisLynnCL, but for me it does not work.
While F23 is replaced with CTRL, the Co-Pilot key keeps sending the SHIFT and WINDOWS Key, so keeps sending a key sequence...

why why why? CoPilot button is still a nightmare... What am i missing?

[Cleversn]

Just to report that the problem also happens on my Dell Latitude laptop. I've also tried the Remap a Shortcut method, without success.

[aketchmeifucan]

I'm still not able to get this to work. I use the right ctrl key often for Outlook quick action shortcuts....ie ctrl + shift + 1...9 for various quick actions like moving emails to folders and marking them read. I've deleted all remap keys and only have the one remap shortcut and it doesn't work.

[yahgiggle]

yeah same problem with my Lenovo, tried remapping but does not work as expected, who in there mind decided to overtake a well used important key and turn it into a stupid AI key must be on crack.

[HaydenDekker]

Remapping via the "Remap a shortcut" worked for me. Remapped to "Control (right)"

[Ron1933]

Please share make and model on your PC + screenshot of setting. thanks.

[PyJaR]

This workaround using the "remap a shortcut" function in PowerToys does not work on my new HP EliteBook 860 G11 (Win 11 Pro). Starting PowerToys in Admin mode does not help either.

I rely heavily on the right ctrl key (+ C,V,W,T,L, Backspace ...) in my daily work, let it be in the browser or a code editor and I'm sure a lot of other users do so as well.

[mmorley0395]

This also doesn't work for me. I'm on an HP EliteBook 840 14 inch G11 Notebook PC. Any combination keypress (e.g., cntrl c) doesn't work.

I've also tried just the remap key. Also doesn't work.

If I remap, say, ALT to right control, it works, and alt + c will copy something. But if I remap the Copilot button, or Copilot keystrokes, it doesn't work. Even with the remap, the keys are not registering correctly. See image below of keyboard, when I hit copilot button, which should map to right control, all the other buttons in green light up.

[ansjschuetz]

For the record -- that key is really nasty.
I only managed to achieve a partial solution using AutoHotKey...

[Cleversn]

Yes, I've tried AutoHotkey as well, without success in the sense of a complete solution that allows me to press combinations like Ctrl+Insert+F, required by some screen reader software.

[GaTechThomas]

The showstopper for me is that Ctrl (Right) + Shift (Left) + Arrow Keys does not work, presumably because Shift is used twice. We need a BIOS-level fix. (ASUS machine for me.)

Additional info:

• Software developers will likely not use machines that have Copilot+ keys, since we have muscle memory for Ctrl (Right) + Shift + Arrow keys.
• I discovered that even the partial success of remapping goes away in the regedit app. Hitting Copilot+ key IMMEDIATELY launches Copilot.