Getting started with Copilot on Windows

Features 

Copilot on Windows generally supports all the same features available on copilot.com, with some additions: 

• Windows shortcut key

• Press to talk

• Wake word ("Hey Copilot")

• Copilot Vision

• File search 

• Take a screenshot 

• Device context

See below for more information about some of these features. 

Windows Shortcut Key 

In Windows, you can launch the Copilot app at any time in one of the following ways:

• Press the Copilot key on your keyboard.

• Using the Windows key + C keyboard shortcut.

• Using the Alt + Space keyboard shortcut.

The Windows shortcut key can either launch the full application or just a smaller ‘quick view’.  You can configure how these shortcut keys behave by going to Account > Settings > Copilot Keyboard Shortcuts.

Press to talk 

You can activate Copilot Voice at any time in Windows by holding the Copilot key or the Windows key + C for 1 - 2 seconds. The Copilot Voice interface will appear, Copilot will play an audio greeting, and you can have a voice conversation with Copilot. You can also use this interface to mute or end your conversation. Read more about how to use Copilot Voice. 

To disable or re-enabled this feature, go to Account > Settings > Copilot Keyboard Shortcuts > Press and Hold to start a voice conversation with Copilot and toggle the switch.

Wake word ("Hey Copilot")

You can invoke Copilot by saying aloud the phrase “Hey Copilot”. This opt-in, hands-free experience helps you stay in your flow when you need answers to a question or just need to bounce an idea off Copilot.

Learn how to use the Copilot wake word ("Hey Copilot").

Copilot Vision 

Copilot Vision can see browser windows or apps you have open on your screen and then answer questions or help you do something step by step. 

Learn how to use Copilot Vision on Windows.

File search 

Copilot on Windows you can help you find, open and ask questions about the contents of a file on your device (including synced files from OneDrive on your device). File search supports most file types and can read .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .txt, .pdf, .json files.  

For example, you can ask Copilot to: 

• “Find my meal prep file” and it will return a file like mealprep.docx or mealprep_plan.xlsx.

• “Find my files from last week” and it will return a list of files created last week.

• “File PDFs on my device” and it will return files of that type.

You can adjust permissions for what Copilot file search can access by going to Account > Settings > File Search and File Read and toggling the setting. 

Take a screenshot 

If you want to ask Copilot a question about something on your screen, you can use the screenshot feature to capture and share all or just a part of your screen. 

Here’s how you use it: 

1. In the Copilot Composer, select + and then Take a Screenshot.

2. Use the selection cursor to mark the portion of your screen you want to upload to Copilot.

3. Once captured, type the question you want to ask Copilot about the screenshot and submit it.

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.