Microsoft Tests Long-Press Copilot Key for Voice Chat on Windows
Microsoft is quietly reshaping how users interact with AI on Windows, and a small but significant tweak to Copilot could make a big difference. A new press-to-talk shortcut is being tested in the Windows Insider Beta Channel, allowing users to activate Copilot’s voice chat by holding down the dedicated Copilot key for two seconds. This long-press action opens the Copilot interface and allows users to start speaking—no need to click, type, or memorize tricky keyboard shortcuts.
This change is a follow-up to the earlier Alt + SPACE long-press combo introduced on March 10, which also acted as a voice activation method for Copilot. However, that key combo wasn’t exactly intuitive or easy to remember. The idea of using a long press of the Copilot key makes much more sense—especially since it’s already baked into many new Windows keyboards. To end the voice conversation, users can press Esc or simply wait for the session to time out after a few seconds of inactivity.
This feature will begin appearing in Copilot app version 1.25033.139.0 or higher, so users in the Beta Channel should see it soon as part of an automatic app update. Once it rolls out broadly, it could mark a subtle shift in how people talk to Windows’ AI assistant.
Interestingly, long-press keyboard shortcuts are virtually unheard of in Windows. While long-press gestures are common on mobile or with right-click-and-hold operations, applying them to keyboard keys is a rarity—and potentially a first for Microsoft. This could signal a broader shift in interface design, where natural interactions like speaking and pressing a key feel more fluid and familiar.
While some may be skeptical—especially considering Cortana’s rocky history—Microsoft clearly sees a future where natural conversation with AI assistants becomes standard. With platforms like Copilot and Google’s Gemini developing deeper conversational capabilities, voice input may finally have its moment. And a long-press Copilot key might just be the key to making that future feel more accessible.
