Apps Enable or Disable Alt+Spacebar shortcut for Copilot Press To Talk in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the Alt + Spacebar keyboard shortcut to quickly "Press to talk" or "Press and hold to talk" with Copilot for your account in Windows 11.

Microsoft Copilot is your everyday AI companion that helps you to be smarter, more productive, more creative, and more connected to the people and things around you. Whether you want to learn how to code, plan an Influencer level vacation, or just need a little help writing a hard email, your everyday AI companion is there to help you get the job done like a pro. If you missed that meeting and need a quick recap or can’t figure out the tax code for your new side hustle, Copilot is there to sprinkle some AI pixie dust on the problem. There when you need it, Copilot works smoothly, seamlessly, and securely across your Microsoft apps to elevate everything you do. Speed up tasks, get more personalized answers and useful information, or find new creative inspiration. And you can do it all by asking for what you want the way you naturally write and speak. It doesn’t care if the task is big or small, it’s just there to help you get the job done. Copilot empowers you to achieve anything you can imagine.

Copilot Voice allows you to talk with Copilot with a microphone using natural language.

Starting with Copilot version 1.25024.100.0, Microsoft is starting to roll out Press to talk across all Insider Channels via the Microsoft Store. This is gradually rolling out so not all Insiders will get the update right away. Press to talk allows you to interact with Copilot using your voice by using a hotkey, providing instant responses while staying in your current workflow and continuing tasks without interruption. To start a voice conversation with Copilot, hold the Alt + Spacebar for 2 seconds on your PC. To end your conversation, press the Esc key. If there is no speaking for several seconds Copilot will automatically end the conversation. When the conversation is over the microphone on the screen will disappear.

Starting with Windows 11 build 26200.5516 (Dev) and build 26120.3653 (Beta 24H2), and build 22635.5160 (Beta 23H2), you can now launch Copilot on Windows with Win + C. You can personalize your Copilot key and Win + C experience at any time with the existing Customize Copilot key on keyboard setting.

• To access the press to talk feature and start a conversation with Copilot on Windows, press and hold the Copilot key for 2 seconds. For PCs without the Copilot key, press and hold Win + C for 2 seconds. To end your conversation, press the Esc key. If there is no speaking for several seconds, Copilot will automatically end the conversation. When the conversation is over, the microphone on the screen will disappear. As announced previously, you can also press and hold Alt + Spacebar to talk with Copilot on Windows. Press to talk allows you to interact with Copilot using your voice, providing instant responses while staying in your current workflow and continuing tasks without interruption. Press to talk is supported in the latest Copilot app update (version 1.25033.139.0 and higher). This update is beginning to roll out across Insider Channels via the Microsoft Store.
• Developers can get the same trigger for press to talk for their apps that support the Copilot key by using Handle Microsoft Copilot hardware key state changes. Note, the enterprise-focused Microsoft 365 Copilot app does not have this support today.
• Win + C and press to talk are gradually rolling out so not all Insiders will get the update right away. We are excited to be previewing improvements with our Insiders to ensure all our customers have a great Copilot experience for Windows.

Reference:

Note: The Copilot app for Windows uses the RegisterHotKey function for the Alt + Space keyboard shortcut. Many apps use this keyboard shortcut today. For any apps installed on your PC that might utilize this keyboard shortcut, Windows will register whichever app is launched first on your PC and running in the background as the app that is invoked when using Alt + Space.

Here's How:

1 Open the Copilot app.

2 While in full view, click/tap on the Account button, and click/tap on Settings. (see screenshot below)


3 Do step 4 (on) or step 5 (off) below for what you want.

This is the default setting.

That's it,
Shawn Brink