Microsoft has shared more details about the evolving role of the Copilot key on Windows 11, a special button introduced to streamline access to its AI-powered assistant. The Copilot key, which was first introduced in 2024, is now being given more flexibility. Soon, it will be able to function as the right Ctrl key or open the context menu, two functions it had previously taken over on some keyboards. This change gives users more options for customizing their keyboard layouts, even though it moves the key further from its original AI-focused purpose. The new remapping options for the Copilot key were first spotted in recent Windows 11 builds, specifically version 26100.9539 of Windows 11 24H2 and 26200.9539 of 25H2, which are currently available through the Release Preview channel. These settings can now be accessed through the Windows Settings app under "Bluetooth and devices" > "Keyboard." The two new options allow users to assign the Copilot key to either the right Ctrl key or to open the context menu, which is typically triggered by a right-click on an item. While this doesn’t exactly replicate a right mouse click, it restores functionality that was previously lost when the Menu key was removed from many keyboards to make space for the Copilot button. Microsoft acknowledged in May of last year that the removal of these traditional keys had disrupted the workflows of some users, particularly those who relied on them for shortcuts or accessibility tools. However, users should be cautious when remapping the Copilot key to the right Ctrl key, as Microsoft warns that some shortcuts involving the right Ctrl or Shift keys may not work as expected. In such cases, the company recommends using the left Ctrl key instead. Over time, the Copilot key is becoming more like a regular keyboard key. Two years after its introduction, it is gradually losing its special status as the exclusive access point to Microsoft’s AI assistant. While Microsoft is not removing the Copilot button entirely, it is now allowing users more freedom to assign different functions to it. This shift began in late 2024, when Windows 11 stopped reserving the key solely for launching Copilot. In the summer of 2026, Insider builds introduced an option to disable the Copilot key entirely. The recent addition of remapping to Right Ctrl and Context menu was announced earlier this year, and the feature is now available in the Release Preview channel, with plans to roll it out to stable versions of Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 soon.