This article applies to: All Copilot experiences — personal accounts, work or school accounts (Microsoft Entra), and free Copilot Chat.
If the Microsoft Copilot app isn't already on your Windows PC, download it from the Microsoft Store. On new Windows 11 PCs, the Copilot app should already be installed by default. You can find the Copilot app pinned to the taskbar or on the Start menu.
Once installed, open the Copilot app and sign in with your Microsoft 365 work or school account or your personal Microsoft account.
Signing in with a personal Microsoft account gives you access to your chat history, image creation, longer conversations, voice interactions, and other Copilot features.
You have several ways to quickly access the Copilot app on your Windows desktop without having to go to your taskbar or Start menu.
Windows shortcut key
In Windows, you can launch the Copilot app at any time in one of the following ways:
- Press the Copilot key on your keyboard.
- Use the Windows key + C keyboard shortcut.
The Windows shortcut key can either launch the full application or just a smaller 'quick view.' You can configure how these shortcut keys behave by going to Account > Settings > Copilot Keyboard Shortcuts.
Wake word ("Hey, Copilot")
You can invoke Copilot by saying aloud the phrase "Hey, Copilot". This opt-in, hands-free experience helps you stay in your flow when you need answers to a question or just need to bounce an idea off Copilot.
Learn more:
- Work or school account: How "Hey Copilot" wake word works in Microsoft Copilot
- Personal Microsoft account: Copilot wake word ("Hey Copilot")
Windows pen shortcut button
On supported Windows devices, pens with a configurable shortcut button can be used to invoke the Microsoft Copilot app, but first you'll need to set up the shortcut button to complete the same action as your Copilot key.
- On your Windows PC, go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Pen & Windows Ink.
- In the list of your pen's settings, find the setting for Choose what your shortcut button does and expand the setting's options menu.
- Select the option for Same as Copilot key.
Now, when you press the shortcut key on your pen, the Microsoft Copilot app will open.
Additional features in the Copilot app for Windows
Copilot Vision
Copilot Vision can see browser windows or apps you have open on your screen and then answer questions or help you do something step by step.
Learn how to use Copilot Vision on Windows.
File search
Copilot on Windows can help you find, open, and ask questions about the contents of a file on your device, including synced files from OneDrive on your device. File search supports most file types and can read .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .txt, .pdf, and .json files.
You can adjust what Copilot file search can access by going to Account > Settings > File Search and File Read and toggling the settings.
Take a screenshot
To ask Copilot a question about something on your screen, capture and share all or part of it:
- In the Copilot Composer, select + and then Take a Screenshot.
- Use the selection cursor to mark the portion of your screen you want to upload to Copilot.
- Type the question you want to ask about the screenshot and submit it.
View web content
When you select a link, Copilot opens the content in a side pane next to your conversation instead of a separate browser window. With your permission, Copilot can also use the context of the tabs you open in that conversation, and only in that conversation. Tabs are saved with the conversation, so you can return to them later.
Windows Settings support
Copilot on Windows can help you adjust your Windows PC settings. Ask questions like "Make my screen easier to read" or "Help me focus by reducing distractions," and Copilot will guide you to the relevant option in Windows Settings.
More ways to work with Microsoft Copilot
What is the Microsoft Copilot app?