Skip to main content

Microsoft is giving up control of the Copilot key

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.

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.

Judy Sanhz
Judy Sanhz is a Digital Trends computing writer covering all computing news. Loves all operating systems and devices.
Microsoft Word may delete your files — here’s how to avoid it
Windows 11 logo on a laptop.

There's a new bug in Microsoft Word that may delete your files, and according to user reports, they're not always recoverable through the Recycle Bin. Fortunately, Microsoft is aware of the problem, but it's unclear when the issue might be fixed. If you want to make sure that your files stay safe, we've got a few workarounds to help you out.

In the last few days, the Microsoft community boards have been flooded with reports of people complaining about their files randomly being deleted, with one user saying: "I use Word. Today, it deleted eight hours of work." Further reports quickly made it clear that the affected files have a few things in common.

Read more
Copilot Pro: how to use Microsoft’s advanced AI sidekick
copilot pro logo

Microsoft's Copilot Pro is a game-changer for productivity and creativity, offering users advanced AI capabilities right at their fingertips. Whether you're a professional looking to streamline your workflow or a creator aiming to enhance your projects, Copilot Pro provides a suite of tools designed to supercharge your experience.

But with so many functionalities, how do you truly leverage Copilot Pro's potential? In this guide, we'll unveil a treasure trove of tips and tricks to maximize your Copilot Pro experience. We'll delve into crafting effective prompts to unlock the AI's true potential, explore lesser-known features for specific tasks, and optimize your workflow for seamless integration with Microsoft 365.
What is Microsoft Copilot Pro?

Read more
It’s official — Microsoft WordPad is dead after 29 years
A screenshot of Microsoft WordPad running on Windows 11.

The Windows 11 2024 Update, otherwise known as version 24H2, started rolling out yesterday, but if you've already updated, you might notice something is missing. WordPad's deprecation has become a reality, as it has been completely removed from the new version of Windows 11.

This might not be a big deal to most users -- the lack of people using the app is part of the reason it was deprecated, after all. If you don't know, WordPad has been around since Windows 95, and in terms of features and functionality, it offers more than Notepad, but less than Microsoft Word.

Read more