What you need to know
- Microsoft has released a preview update for Windows 11 that lets you configure the Copilot key to open other applications.
- This update also includes several changes and improvements, including a new shortcut to open Narrator.
- A preview update is available now, but the same changes will be coming to PC in November’s Patch Tuesday update.
Windows 11 receives monthly updates, typically delivered on the second Tuesday of each month. However, you don’t have to wait that long to get the latest enhancements and changes to your PC. Microsoft releases preview updates for Windows 11 every month. This includes most if not all of the changes that will eventually ship in subsequent monthly updates.
Late last week, Microsoft shipped Windows 11 build 26100.2161 in preview. This update comes with a new option to stop suggestions to turn off notifications for specific apps. The Wi-Fi password dialog has been updated for Windows 11.
This update is fairly small in terms of features, but as is usual for monthly updates, it does include some welcome changes. Starting with Windows 11 build 26100.2161, you can now configure the Copilot key to open another app.
The easiest way to get preview updates is through the Windows Settings app. under Windows updates section, selectGet the latest updates when they’re availableNote: Microsoft’s blog post appears to have incorrect instructions for installing the preview update.
Copilot+ PC includes the Copilot key, which makes it easy to bring up Microsoft’s AI-powered tools. This is a plus for those who use Copilot, but a waste of keys for those who don’t. Although Copilot is ubiquitous in terms of availability (it’s on every modern PC), not everyone uses it. For example, Salesforce’s CEO deemed Copilot a failure and called the tool “the new Microsoft Clippy.”
Now the CEO of Salesforce or anyone who hates Copilot can program a Copilot key to open another app. I playfully made the Copilot key on the keyboard above display “Anything goes”, but there are some restrictions on the apps that can be opened with this key. Due to security requirements, apps must be MSIX packaged and signed off.
Below are all the changes that are typically and gradually rolled out, as outlined by Microsoft.
Windows 11 build 26100.2161: Gradual rollout
- [Notifications] new! You can now stop suggestions and turn off notifications from specific apps. Select the ellipsis (…) in the notification to turn it off. You can also go to setting > system > notification And turn it off from there. Look for “Notification Suggestions” in your senders list. Entries appear in the list only after receiving a notification.
- [Wi-Fi password dialog] new! The visual design of dialogs is now Windows 11. go to setting > network and internet.
- [Narrator]
- new! This update adds new Narrator shortcuts. Press Narrator Key + Ctrl + X to copy the last thing Narrator said to your clipboard. This shortcut is useful if you want to quickly copy and use content such as codes or numbers.
- new! The new Outlook will now automatically read the contents of your email messages. This is similar to the behavior in Outlook Classic.
- [Start menu] new! “All apps” has a new name: “All.”
- [ALT + Tab] Fixed: Switching between certain windows would cause the screen to go black for a few seconds on some PCs.
- [Scanning apps] Fixed: Certain scanners are not detected even though they are connected.
Windows 11 build 26100.2161: Regular rollout
- [Web sign-in] Fixed: You can’t sign in to your account from the web because the screen stops responding.
- [Copilot key settings] new! You can set the Copilot key on your keyboard. On new devices, pressing a key will open the Copilot app. Sign in to your account using your Microsoft Entra ID and your key will open the M365 app. The key can open another app or open search. To do this, go to setting > personalization > text input. For the key to open another app, the app must be in a signed MSIX package. This ensures that your app meets security and privacy standards and is safe. If your PC keyboard doesn’t have a Copilot key, changing this setting won’t do anything.
- [WindowsDisk Cleanup app] Fixed: This update addresses some of the causes of incorrect free space estimates and improves accuracy.
