On most new Windows 11 PCs, the Microsoft Copilot app is already installed. Open it from Start or the taskbar, sign in, and ask a question; if it is missing, install it from Microsoft Store. You can open it with Windows+C or a Copilot key, but you do not need a special keyboard to use it.
How to install and sign in to Copilot on Windows 11
- Open Start and search for Copilot. You can also look for it on the taskbar.
- If it is not installed, download Microsoft Copilot from Microsoft Store. Microsoft says Copilot is usually preinstalled on new Windows 11 PCs and is available free from the Store if it is missing.
- Open Copilot and sign in with the account that fits your use: a personal Microsoft account, or a Microsoft 365 work or school account where available.
Microsoft says signing in with a personal account enables features including chat history, image creation, longer conversations, and voice interactions. On a work-managed PC, your organization’s setup may affect which account and features are available. See Microsoft’s Windows access guidance for account and feature details.
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How to open Copilot with a keyboard shortcut
Use whichever launch method is most convenient:
- Start or taskbar: Search for Copilot in Start, or select its taskbar icon.
- Windows+C: Opens Copilot. Depending on your configuration, it may open the full app or a smaller Quick View.
- Copilot key: Press it if your keyboard has one. It is an optional shortcut, not a requirement.
To adjust shortcut behavior, open Copilot and go to Account > Settings > Copilot Keyboard Shortcuts. On supported devices, you can also configure a pen shortcut button to perform the Copilot-key action.
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What you can do in the Windows Copilot app
Ask about what is on screen with Copilot Vision
Copilot Vision can use the browser window or app open on screen to answer questions or guide you through a task. Its purpose is to provide context-aware help; it does not mean Copilot will complete every task autonomously.
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Find and ask about files
Copilot’s file search can help locate and open device files, including files synced from OneDrive, and answer questions about them. Microsoft lists support for most file types and specifically names DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, TXT, PDF, and JSON. Review or change access in Account > Settings > File Search and File Read.
Ask a question about a screenshot
- In the Copilot composer, select +.
- Choose Take a Screenshot and select the relevant area of the screen.
- Ask Copilot a question about the screenshot.
View web pages beside your conversation
When you open a link from a Copilot conversation, the page can appear in a side pane beside the chat. If you grant permission, Copilot can use the context of tabs opened in that conversation. Microsoft says this access is limited to that conversation and that the tabs are saved with it.
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Get guidance to a Windows setting
Describe the result you want—for example, making the screen easier to read or reducing distractions. Copilot can guide you to the relevant Windows Settings option. Treat this as help finding a setting, not a guarantee that Copilot will change it for you.
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The wake word is optional and off by default. To enable it, open Copilot, go to Settings > General, and turn on Listen for “Hey Copilot”. The app must be running; it can be open, minimized, or in the background. When listening is enabled, Windows indicates microphone use in the system tray.
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What to expect when using the wake word
- “Hey Copilot” must be recognized in English, though the resulting chat can continue in other supported languages.
- It needs an internet connection to answer. It cannot start a new chat while the screen is locked or while another app is playing audio.
- A voice session can end after inactivity or when its session limit is reached. Background noise may keep a session active.
- Language and accent variations can cause accidental activation.
How wake-word audio is handled
Microsoft Support says, “Your PC detects the wake word locally.” While the feature is enabled and the app is running, a small on-device service keeps a 10-second audio buffer in memory; Microsoft says this buffer is not recorded or stored. Once the wake phrase activates Copilot, audio from detection onward is sent to the Copilot voice service. Microsoft also says user or Copilot audio is not stored. This is local wake-word detection—not a claim that the microphone is never listening. Details are in Microsoft’s explanation of how “Hey Copilot” works, last updated October 2026.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do you need a Copilot-key keyboard or other hardware?
No special purchase is established as necessary in Microsoft’s Windows setup guidance. Start, the taskbar, and Windows+C provide ways to open the app without a Copilot key. A microphone is relevant if you choose voice features, but the reviewed instructions do not recommend buying a new keyboard, microphone, webcam, or PC just to use Copilot.
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