On Windows 11, the Copilot app includes an “Alt + Spacebar” shortcut to interact with the chatbot by “Press to talk” or “Press and hold to talk,” and you can always enable or disable this feature.
Although the native app for Windows 11 allows you to use text to chat with Copilot, the “Copilot Voice” feature allows you to use natural language to interact with the AI.
Starting with the release of version 1.25024.100.0 and higher, Microsoft is adding a new option that allows you to use the “Alt + Spacebar” keyboard shortcut to activate the voice feature to quickly engage with the chatbot without breaking your workflow.
In this guide, I’ll explain the steps to manage the Copilot press-to-talk feature on Windows 11.
Enable the Alt + Spacebar shortcut in Copilot
To enable the press to talk shortcut in Copilot for Windows 11, use these steps:
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Open Copilot on Windows 11.
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Click the profile button and choose the Settings option.
Quick tip: If you’re in quick view mode, click the “Back to full view” button in the top right to access the profile menu. Also, if the left pane is collapsed, click the “Open sidebar” button from the top-left corner. -
Turn on the “Alt + Spacebar” toggle switch.
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(Option 1) Choose the “Press to talk” option in the “How to talk to Copilot” setting to start the interaction immediately.
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(Option 2) Choose the “Press and hold to talk” option in the “How to talk to Copilot” setting to start a conversation after two seconds.
Once you complete the steps, you can use the “Alt + Spacebar” shortcut according to your configuration to start the voice feature with Copilot. You can end the conversation by pressing the “Esc” key.
If the chatbot doesn’t hear anything for several seconds, it’ll automatically end the conversation.
Disable the Alt + Spacebar shortcut in Copilot
To disable the Copilot voice keyboard shortcut, use these steps:
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Open Copilot.
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Click the profile button and choose the Settings option.
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Turn off the “Alt + Spacebar” toggle switch.
After you complete the steps, you can still access Copilot, but you will have to open the app directly.
Are you using the press to talk shortcut with Copilot? Let me know in the comments.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech (est. 2010). With over 21 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
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